Leicester Tigers close in on Handre Pollard replacement as Wallabies star primed to join Premiership club – report
Crusaders fly-half James O'Connor in action during the 2025 Super Rugby season
Leicester Tigers are finally set to land a fly-half for next season in the form of James O’Connor, according to reports down under.
The East Midlands outfit, who finished second in the Premiership table at the end of the regular season, have been in the market for a new fly-half for some time now, after star Handre Pollard’s return to the Bulls was confirmed and back-up Jamie Shillcock also headed out of the exit door to France.
James O’Connor set for Leicester Tigers switch
Ireland international Jack Crowley was heavily linked with a switch to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for next season, however, he has opted to remain with Munster to continue to represent Ireland.
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As a result, Leicester have been forced to look elsewhere, with experienced back O’Connor primed to finally fill that void.
According to ROAR AU, the current Crusaders star is set to join the club on a one-year deal to join Geoff Parling’s squad for next season.
He also has plenty of experience in the Premiership, previously spending a season at London Irish and later heading to Sale Sharks. He later departed the Sharks to play for the Wallabies at the 2019 World Cup.
Possible Wallabies return?
Leicester would certainly be getting O’Connor at a great stage in his career, with the versatile back impressing for the Crusaders this season.
Since making the switch to Christchurch, he has made 14 appearances on their way to a second-placed finish in Super Rugby Pacific, scoring 48 points in that time thanks to one try, five penalties and 14 conversions.
That form has since seen him tipped for a possible return to the Wallabies side ahead of the British and Irish Lions series later this summer, and boss Joe Schmidt has said he’s been in conversation with the 34-year-old.
“I’ve talked to James, we had a really good chat,” Schmidt said. “He’s not currently based in Australia, but that doesn’t preclude him. We don’t want to preclude anyone, we want to be as strong as we can be for a pinnacle event, and I know there will be a lot of commentary about selection, but we will put a lot of effort into getting them right.”
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