'World Cup-winning, world-renowned, world-class' - Leicester Tigers confirm new addition

Wednesday, 06 May 2020 at 12:39

bySteven Smith

Leicester Tigers will welcome Aled Walters to the club ahead of the 2020/21 season as Head of Physical Performance.

Walters joins Tigers from South Africa, where he has been the Head of Athletic Performance at SA Rugby since 2018 and played a key role in the Springboks’ 2019 Rugby World Cup win.

Embed from Getty Images

The Welsh-born Walters completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and Sports Science at Loughborough University in 2002 before completing his Master of Science, Strength and Conditioning at Edinburgh.

He spent four seasons with the Scarlets before taking on the role of head of strength and conditioning at Taranaki and then athletic performance coach at the Brumbies in Super Rugby.

In 2012, Walters became head of athletic performance / strength and conditioning at Munster Rugby for six years ahead of being recruited to head up the Springboks programme.

Speaking about his appointment at Tigers, Walters admitted to having been a long-time admirer of the club from afar.

EDITORS PICKS |

“I grew up a staunch Scarlets fan and have a lot of history with Leicester,” he said. “I was there when the famous Tim Stimpson penalty went over.”

He added: “You have to fit the culture and I definitely appreciate that. That’s why teams like Leicester are more attractive to me.

“Leicester is a very similar club to Munster and Scarlets – it’s a working-class area, they’re tougher people and that’s something that definitely appealed to me.”

Leicester Tigers | Four perfect replacements for Jonny May

Leicester Tigers have already lost Jonny May to Gloucester and Jonah Holmes to Dragons, which severely depletes their wide-men ranks.

They have already signed Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo for next season, but need reinforcements with Rory Hughes also set to depart when his loan from Glasgow expires.

Here's a list of four wingers who would be seen as great signings for Tigers:

1. Marland Yarde

Tigers were linked with the England international speedster before the quarantine began.

There was then a report from The Rugby Paper that he'd signed a new deal with Sale, but that hasn't been confirmed.

If Tigers can get him in, the 27-year-old would guarantee tries as long as he remains fit.

Absolutely a player to consider.

2. Dane Haylett-Petty

The 33-cap Wallaby is an international superstar who is available for Tigers to go sign on a short-term deal as soon as this is over.

This is due to Haylett-Petty, who was forced to take a huge paycut, being given the green light to take a leave of absence from Super Rugby and secure short term contracts in places such as England and the Japanese Top League before returning in time for the July 2021 Test schedule.

Would be an incredible signing.

3. Joe Tomane

If Tigers are looking for an experienced head to help bring on some of their young wide-men then Tomane is an obvious choice.

The Wallaby, who is out of contract with Leinster in the summer, has been consistently brilliant for the Irish province and there will be no shortage of interest in securing the 30-year-old's services.

Tigers should be at the front of that queue.

Embed from Getty Images

4. Alex Lewington

With Saracens urgently trying to reduce their wage bill, Tigers should attempt to bring the speedster back to Welford Road.

He departed Tigers in 2013 as a lightweight winger who had failed to make his mark after progressing through the clubs academy.

Since then, he's bulked up a bit but kept his speed, developing into one of the Premiership's most deadly finishers for Saracens, who he joined following successful stints with Nottingham and London Irish.

Bringing him back to Welford Road would be a great piece of business.