Leicester's recruits getting stuck in

Editor

The newcomers in the Leicester Tigers squad are already making a favourable impression on their colleagues and the coaching staff.

The newcomers in the Leicester Tigers squad are already making a favourable impression on their colleagues and the coaching staff.

Director of rugby Richard Cockerill has brought in eight new faces during the summer, including internationals Leonardo Ghiraldini, Michele Rizzo, Robert Barbieri, Seremaia Bai and Freddie Burns.

Former Toulon and Treviso centre Christian Loamanu, back-rower Laurence Pearce and Samoan prop Aniseko Sio have also signed for the club this summer and are settling in at the Oval Park training ground.

“Those guys come in, get their heads down and work hard, and they earn respect of their team-mates. They're all doing that,” Cockerill told the club website.

“Ghiraldini, for instance, has more than 60 Test caps, has captained club and country, and he came in early and is in there working hard.

“You get respect of the team because of commitment to the cause.

“Those new guys are all good, they understand what we do. For now, it is about getting to know their team-mates and what makes us tick.”

Leicester missed the Premiership Final for the first time since 2004 last season, going out in the semi-finals to eventual champions and near East Midlands rivals Northampton.