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Rugby News

Tigers Academy quartet to step-up to senior squad

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Leicester Tigers can confirm the addition of four Academy graduates to the senior squad ahead of the 2021/22 season. 

Lewis Chessum, Jacob Cusick, Tim Hoyt and Seb Smith will step up to the club’s senior programme in the summer.

They have worked hard in the club’s academy programme and earned this opportunity to step up to senior rugby over the summer where the level will go up again and they will be challenged in a new, professional environment

Steve Borthwick

Second-rower Chessum, who came through the club’s Notts Lincs & Derby development programme, joined the Tigers Academy in 2019. He is the younger brother of senior squad member Ollie, and attended Brooksby Melton College. Chessum was also part of an England Under-18 development camp during October 2020.

Versatile back Cusick, who will finish his studies at Oakham School in July, joined the Tigers Academy in 2019 after rising through the club’s Leicestershire developing player programme.

Front-rower Hoyt came through the Brooksby Melton College programme with Chessum and was part of an England Rugby Under-18 North development camp during October 2020. 

Fellow front-rower Smith was part of the club’s Under-18 League title-winning squad in 2019/20 and a member of the Leicestershire DPP as a youngster. He is due to leave Stamford School in July.

Speaking about the four additions to his senior squad, Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick said: “It’s exciting to be welcoming Lewis, Jacob, Tim and Seb to our senior squad next season.

“They have worked hard in the club’s academy programme and earned this opportunity to step up to senior rugby over the summer where the level will go up again and they will be challenged in a new, professional environment.

“We want players who are committed to what we are building at Leicester Tigers but also players and people who understand what it means to represent this club, which they have shown they do.

“This is a great opportunity for them to learn, improve and grow as players, as young men and as members of the Leicester Tigers.”

The quartet will report for pre-season duty alongside their fellow senior squad members in July to begin preparations for the 2021/22 campaign.