Greg Bateman signs for Dragons after Tigers exit

David Skippers
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Leicester Tigers' Greg Bateman is tackled by Saracens' Christopher Tolofua and Christian Judge during the Gallagher Premiership match at Welford Road, Leicester.

Powerhouse prop Greg Bateman is officially a Dragon after signing a deal to join the region following his departure from Leicester Tigers in July.

Bateman was one of the five, alongside Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, Kyle Eastmond and Noel Reid, to reject amended contracts and leave the struggling English outfit.

The vastly experienced front-row has linked-up with Dean Ryan’s men with immediate effect.

The 31-year-old, who has had previous playing spells at Leicester, Exeter Chiefs and London Welsh, joins recent new recruits Nick Tompkins, Jamie Roberts, Jonah Holmes and Joe Maksymiw at Rodney Parade.

“We’re pleased to welcome Greg to our region and look forward to him making a big impact in our environment,” said Dean Ryan, Dragons’ director of rugby.

“He is vastly experienced from his time in the English Premiership and he will intensify competition for places up front while helping our young front-row players develop.”

Bateman has made 87 Premiership Rugby appearances, scoring six tries, with spells at London Welsh (2012/13), Exeter Chiefs (2013/14) and Leicester Tigers (2014 to 2020).

The Frimley-born prop also made Tigers history by playing in all front-row positions during the 2016/17 season.

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