Premiership: Leicester Tigers monitoring Anthony Watson ahead of title defence

David Skippers

New Leicester Tigers recruit Anthony Watson’s progress from a serious knee injury is being monitored on a daily basis, according to the club’s coach Steve Borthwick.

The Tigers bolstered their backline stocks by signing the England and British & Irish Lions flyer from Bath during the summer.

Watson was sidelined for 10 months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Rec side’s Premiership game against Saracens last year.

Brief return to action

He made a return to action during a pre-season game for Tigers against Newcastle Falcons last month but was injured early on during that encounter.

“He came off 10 minutes into the game,” Borthwick said.

“He felt a tightness, a sensation in his leg, and before anything got any worse he came off as a precaution.

“He is doing really well. He is looking pretty good right now. He was out running today, and we are monitoring him daily as to how he recovers.”

Meanwhile, Borthwick revealed that World Cup-winning fly-half Handre Pollard has arrived in Leicester after he was released from the Springboks’ Rugby Championship squad due to a knee issue.

“He arrived in Leicester at the end of last week,” said the coach.

“He will be going through all the respective investigations that are necessary to ensure we get a full understanding and get him back on the field as soon as possible.”

Last season, Borthwick guided the Tigers to their first Premiership title victory in nine years, in only his second season taking charge of the club.

Although star players like England internationals Ellis Genge and George Ford have left Leicester, the club have retained their core squad, while Pollard, Watson, Jimmy Gopperth and Olly Cracknell have been added to their group.

“We’ve added players to the squad with different strengths and we want to be able to play a game that utilises all their strengths,” Borthwick said.

“Each of those players has come in and already added to the squad, which is a really positive thing.

Keen to improve

“The group got a taste last season of competing at the top. I think they enjoyed it and I think they want more of it. They want to keep getting better, and they see that hard work gets rewarded.

“There is a strong desire with all of them to get better. My job as a coach is to keep trying to get the best out of the squad.”

The Tigers kick off their Premiership campaign against Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park on Saturday.

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