Leicester Tigers boss leaves with immediate effect

Tigers say the decision to part company was taken mutually after the 42-year-old was told his contract, which expired in 2021, would not be renewed.

Murphy was a player for 16 years, became Tigers head coach in 2018, and took his current post in July.

"I have spent 23 great years at Leicester Tigers," Murphy said.

"I'm most proud of the respect I earned from my team-mates and colleagues, and I'm grateful to all of them for how they have helped me, supported me and shared in my time at this club."

Tigers Chairman Peter Tom added: “This decision, while difficult, was made to ensure we are as effective and successful an organisation as we can be at Leicester Tigers.

“Steve Borthwick understands the expectations of him, his coaching team and the playing group at Leicester Tigers on the pitch.

“We are determined to see this club back at the top, where supporters expect us to be, competing for trophies and are fully behind the players, coaches and staff on this journey.”

Subscribe for breaking rugby news, competitions and much, much more...

The flanker has a terminator like physique, but not only is he in great shape, he's also studying Politics and Economics at the University of Bath. Superman on the pitch, and a gentle giant off it.

Another Welshman known for bulldozing his way through defences, North has made his name by being monstrously strong. His sheer strength was most notably demonstrated on the 2013 Lions tour to Australia when he picked up Israel Folau and carried him… while the ball was in his hand!

The powerhouse, who is renowned for his freakish ability in the gym, is poised to make a sizeable impact in this Autumn Nations Cup. At just 20, he could squat 280 kilograms. It's anyone's guess what that number is now. The story goes that they literally ran out of weights for him to lift back in school such was (and is) his freakish strength. A name to look out for.

The Wales fullback isn’t the biggest on the list, not by a long shot. Halfpenny has put on some serious size over the years and is a solid unit on the field. He has a great shape and very lean, women’s choice it seems!

He built his solid frame outside the conventional confines of the gym. Bhatti spent his youth lugging around cow carcasses as part of his job as a slaughterman.