Leicester Tigers have confirmed the short-term signing of Scotland international Hamish Watson, with the experienced back-row arriving on a two-month loan from Edinburgh.
Watch the Guinness Six Nations at your local Greene King sports pub.
The 33-year-old flanker is no stranger to the East Midlands, having previously been educated at Oakham School in Rutland and spending time in the Tigers academy earlier in his career before moving north of the border.
Watson has since gone on to build an outstanding reputation in the game, representing Scotland and the British & Irish Lions while racking up more than 180 appearances for Edinburgh.
Leicester’s general manager Geoff Parling admitted injuries in the pack made the opportunity to bring Watson in a major boost.
“We’ve had some injuries in the back five of the pack so it’s a real boost to be able to add someone of Hamish’s quality at such short notice,” Parling said.
“It’s quite full circle for him to be in our academy and then get the chance to represent us so many years later.
“We’ve had conversations around the fluidity of how long he’ll be with us when others start returning, but it’s great to hear how hungry he is to represent Tigers, and we look forward to welcoming him at Oval Park.”
Watson also spoke about the move, describing it as a special moment in his career.
“It’s a full-circle moment for me to rejoin Tigers having been in the academy system here earlier in my career,” he said.
“It is such a prestigious club and it’s an honour to join them, even on a short-term basis.
“I played at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the A-League and then again for Edinburgh a few years ago, and the chance to play in front of that famous crowd would be a privilege.”
EDITORS PICKS:
LIVE RUGBY TRANSFER BLOG:
Like this:
Like Loading…