Leicester Tigers

Harry Ellis: Refreshed

Club Details

Welford Road
Leicester
LE2 7TR

Stadium Capacity: 16,000 (11,600 seated)
Website: www.leicestertigers.com
Founded: 1880

- 2008/9 Season Preview -

Skybet title odds - 7/2

Last time around: The season will probably be remembered for the short-term appointment of former Pumas boss Marcelo Loffreda. His late arrival, due to successful World Cup commitments, was meant to be the catalyst that followed on from Pat Howard's fine work. However, several poor performances and rumours of unrest at Welford Road saw him depart despite a late-season surge to the Premiership Final!

This time around? There will be a strong South African feel to the Tigers in 2008/09 as new coach Heyneke Meyer becomes the club's third boss in a year! With him comes Springbok pivot Derick Hougaard and also Toby Flood as Leicester says goodbye to the familiar face of Andy Goode. One expects an improved Tigers side this term with no late play-off dramatics required!

Coach: The former Bulls boss Heyneke Meyer, who led the South African franchise to the Super 14 title in 2007, returns to rugby after being overlooked for the Springbok's top job in favour of Peter de Villiers. Meyer has also won four Currie Cup titles in five years and is expected to bring professionalism, preparation and enthusiasm to the club as Loffreda's replacement.

One to watch: In one of England's wiser moves, scrum-half Harry Ellis was given the summer off from the national shake-up following his tough road back to full recovery. And Leicester should certainly benefit from that decision under new coach Meyer with Ellis' sniping, defensive and distribution abilities sure to see him in Six Nations contention come February.

In: Toby Flood (Newcastle), Ben Woods (Newcastle), Craig Newby (Highlanders).

Out: Paul Burke (retired), Ian Humphreys (Ulster), Ollie Smith (Montpellier), Matt Cornwell (tbc), Alex Moreno (Calvisano), James Hamilton (Edinburgh), Luke Abraham (Sale), Frank Murphy (Connacht), David Young (Gloucester) .

PR Prediction: 2nd