Leonardo Ghiraldini will go head to head with Leicester Tigers team-mates this weekend in his national colours.Tigers hooker Ghiraldini wins his 72 cap for Italy as they face England at Twickenham on Saturday, with Dan Cole in the opposite front row and Tom Youngs waiting for an opportunity from the replacements bench.
“I played against some of the Leicester players in the last few years two or three times with Italy, but it will be different as a Leicester player,” said Ghiraldini who has made 17 appearances for the club since his arrival in the summer.
“But it is still a game and we will be friends before and after, but just not for the game!”
The Italian is in a competitive position in the Tigers squad with fellow international Youngs sharing gametime so far, while Neil Briggs and Harry Thacker were in the squad for the Aviva Premiership fixture against Gloucester on Friday and development squad player Jake Farnworth was with England Under-20s.
“It is good, I like those challenges,” he said. “There are good hookers here.
“When I signed for Leicester I knew that, but I chose this club also for that. Every big club has big players in every position, so we do not have just one good prop or one good hooker. We have more in the squad and that is good.”
News
Friendships will have to wait says Ghiraldini
13 February 2015 8:00 PM

Share this article
Articles
Friendships will have to wait says Ghiraldini
13 February 2015 8:00 PM
Report | Tigers fight back for win over Sharks
9 May 2025 8:30 PM
Cheika praises fans for role in win over Sale
9 May 2025 8:45 PM
Chessum: Composure was key to comeback
9 May 2025 9:00 PM
Gallery | Memorable matchday in Leicester
10 May 2025 9:15 PM
Gallery | Tigers battle Sharks at home
9 May 2025 8:30 PM
Chessum earns British & Irish Lions selection
8 May 2025 2:15 PM
BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW!
400 teams and 12'000 youngsters attend Tigers Challenge
9 May 2025 2:30 PM
Leicester to host World Cup Send Off for Red Roses
7 May 2025 3:00 PM
Nine Tigers in England U17 squad
7 May 2025 10:01 AM