Leicester Tigers kicked off the new season with victory on Sunday and received another boost today with the return to training of five World Cup players.England trio Dan Cole, Ben Youngs and Tom Youngs were joined by Vereniki Goneva (Fiji) and Leonardo Ghiraldini (Italy) as they reported back to Oval Park to start work with Richard Cockerill and new head coach Aaron Mauger.
Tongan back-rower Opeti Fonua made his Aviva Premiership debut for the club in the victory at London Irish on Sunday, while prop Michele Rizzo is out of action after suffering a knee ligament injury with Italy.
Only Argentina prop Marcos Ayerza remains on World Cup duty, with a semi-final against Australia to look forward to this weekend.
“The World Cup boys come back on Monday and we will integrate them back into the squad for next week,” said director of rugby Cockerill.
“The England boys will feel disappointed with the World Cup for obvious reasons, but they came back last week and we told them to go away and get a week at home with their families and get back into a routine at home.
“We took the decision with the World Cup players not to use them at London Irish and we trusted the squad and they’ve come through again.
“The boys were keen to get back in, but we felt it was right to give them a rest. Physically and mentally, that is important with a long season ahead of us.
“Now we’ve got just about everyone back and we will pick from strength, but it is another challenge with two big home games to come in the next two weeks.”
Tigers return to home turf for a Round 2 fixture against Harlequins on Sunday (2pm) and also have a home game on Sunday, November 1, when Wasps are the visitors (3.15pm).
Tickets for all home games are available now. Book in person at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or click here to book online.
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World Cup quintet welcomed home
19 October 2015 10:56 AM
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