Leicester Tigers make triple signing

David Skippers

Hanro Liebenberg of Bulls score a try during the 2019 Super Rugby match between Bulls and Reds at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria on 13 April 2019 ©Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Leicester Tigers have announced that they have signed back-row duo Hanro Liebenberg and Jordan Coghlan as well as centre EW Viljoen for the 2019/20 season.

Liebenberg, who can play across the back-row positions, is currently with the Bulls in Super Rugby.

After playing his youth-team rugby at Boland, he moved to Pretoria to play in the Currie Cup with the Blues Bulls and earned his first selection for the Bulls in 2015 and followed in his brother Wiaan’s footsteps by captaining South Africa U20s at the World Junior Championships.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Hanro is an aggressive ball-carrier and a physical player around the field, in the best traditions of South African back-row players.

“He has gained a good level of experience already for a 23-year-old and has good leadership qualities too.

“His best years in the game should still be ahead of him and we look forward to welcoming him for next season.”

Liebenberg added: “The opportunity to play in the Premiership is one I am very excited about and to do it at a club of Leicester’s tradition and standing is a huge honour.”

“The Tigers fans are well known around the world as some of the best in rugby and I am looking forward to playing at Welford Road in front of them, alongside my new team-mates.

“There is quality across the squad and I’m excited about making my contribution to the team under the guidance of Geordan Murphy and the coaching staff at Tigers.”

Irish born back-Coghlan has spent the past three seasons with Championship outfit Nottingham after stints with both Leinster and Munster. Born in Dublin, Coghlan was drafted in to Leinster’s academy at 16 and made his senior debut in 2012 at just 20 years of age.

Murphy said: “Jordan is a physical, athletic and experienced player who we are looking forward to welcoming in to the club.”

“His junior career speaks for itself and achievements back home in Ireland as a young man have served him well in his career.

“He is an exciting talent and he has earned his spot with impressive showings for Nottingham over recent seasons.”

Coghlan added: “This is Leicester Tigers – the most successful club in English history. For me, to be part of that is a huge honour.”

“Geordan [Murphy] is working hard to build something special here in Leicester and get Tigers back to the top flight of the Prem, where they belong, and I’m happy to be a part of that.

“I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in.

“I’ve met the squad and coaches, who have all been amazing and really welcomed me in to the club. There is a lot of talent in this squad and great people around, so I’m really excited to be a part of it and contribute to the club.”

Viljoen is currently with the Stormers in Super Rugby and has previously represented his country at schoolboy and U20s level.

The 24-year-old made his Super Rugby debut in 2017 and has since made 28 appearances for the Cape Town based franchise.

Speaking about Viljoen’s addition to his squad, Murphy said: “EW is a versatile, skilful and exciting player to have as part of our group.

“He has an impressive resume for a young man and, at only 24, it’s encouraging to know he still has plenty of improvement left in him.

“EW adds a lot to our outside-back stocks and provides valuable depth in the squad.”

Viljoen said: “The chance to represent a club like Leicester Tigers is one I could not pass up and I’m very excited about the challenge of playing in the Premiership.”

“I want to play my role and make a contribution to getting Tigers back to where a club of their history and tradition belongs, which I believe Geordan Murphy is building towards.

“It’s an exciting chance to experience northern hemisphere rugby and I can’t think of a better place to be able to do that than Welford Road.”