Director of Rugby Geordan Murphy provides an update for supporters on incoming Leicester Tigers players, ahead of them joining the squad for the 2020/21 season.
Incoming Leicester Tigers fly-half Joaquín Díaz Bonilla has withdrawn from the 2020 Rugby Championship in Australia and will not travel down under to join the Los Pumas squad.
The Argentina fly-half, who signed with Tigers last month, is currently in the United Kingdom and will complete his quarantine this week ahead of joining his new team-mates for the pre-season programme in Leicester ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Bonilla has made four international appearances for the Los Pumas since his debut in 2018 and has previously represented Argentina at Under-20 level.
Speaking at the time of his signing, about the addition of Bonilla, Tigers Director of Geordan Murphy said: “Joaquín is a very exciting addition for us and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Leicester ahead of next season’s campaign."
“He will add valuable depth to our squad and alongside George [Ford], Zack [Henry] and Johnny McPhillips, provide plenty of healthy competition in a key position, which is a positive thing for us as we continue on this journey."
With Ford currently in camp with England Rugby and expected to feature for the national side during the upcoming international window, Bonilla will vie with Henry and McPhillips for the Tigers No.10 jersey ahead of the rescheduled 2020/21 campaign commencing in November.
Selfishly, it's obviously a boost for us to know that we will have him available for the start of the new season and - assuming George [Ford] is away with England - there will be plenty of healthy competition for the fly-half spot between Tito, Zack and Johnny
Speaking about the confirmation that Bonilla will be available for the start of the new season, Murphy added: "We are a club that has always encouraged our players to strive to represent their country on the international stage and it's disappointing for Tito that he won't take part in the Rugby Championship."
"However, selfishly, it's obviously a boost for us to know that we will have him available for the start of the new season and - assuming George [Ford] is away with England - there will be plenty of healthy competition for the fly-half spot between Tito, Zack and Johnny."
The Leicester Director of Rugby also provided an update on fellow new additions, who will arrive in the East Midlands for the shortened pre-season programme.
"As well as Tito, we have Matias [Moroni] and Jasper Wiese arriving next season," said Murphy.
"Matias is going through some rehab work on a knee complaint, so he will also not be involved in the Rugby Championship for Argentina, and join us towards the start of the new season.
"Jasper has a couple of fixtures to play in South Africa with the Cheetahs, then will be on the plane soon after and with us for the start of the new season."
