Leicester Tigers add quartet to 23/24 Senior Squad

Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar has confirmed four additions to the Senior Squad ahead of the 23/24 season.

Included within the quartet of signings is a returning Tiger, who made more than 80 appearances for Leicester in four seasons at the club, and an international scrum-half who previously worked with McKellar down under.

The four additions are:

• Joe Powell (scrum-half)
• Matt Rogerson (back-row)
• Kieran Wilkinson (fly-half)
• Mike Williams (lock / back-row)

JOE POWELL

The 29-year-old makes the move to the East Midlands after a season with London Irish, who he joined after eight years of Super Rugby.

Born in Canberra, the scrum-half made his senior rugby debut for the Canberra Vikings in Australia’s National Rugby Championship before stepping up to professional rugby with his Super Rugby debut in 2015 for the Brumbies, where he played for Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar.

After previously representing Australia at Under-20 age-grade level, Powell’s senior Test debut came in 2017 against Fiji.

Powell started in the Brumbies 2020 Super Rugby AU Final victory over The Queensland Reds ahead of moving to the Melbourne Rebels for two seasons before joining the Gallagher Premiership with The Exiles in 2022.

Speaking about the signing, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “Joe is an experienced scrum-half who has played at the highest level in the game and I am really excited about having him join us at Leicester Tigers.”

“I have spoken openly about the type of players we want at Tigers, the type of character I want in the group and a young man of Joe’s qualities on and off the pitch fit well and truly within that.”

“It’s no secret we are likely to be without Jack [van Poortvliet] and Ben [Youngs] during the World Cup, so certainly in need of depth at scrum-half and I am pleased we have been able to add that with the quality of Joe.”

MATT ROGERSON

The back-rower makes the move to Tigers from London Irish, who he made more than 100 appearances for during five seasons - including the final two as club captain.

Born in Lancaster, he played his youth rugby with Vale of Lune before attending Loughborough University, where he represented Loughborough Students.

Rogerson made his professional debut for Sale Sharks and spent two seasons in the North West of England before a lone campaign in The Championship with Jersey Reds for the 2017/18 campaign ahead of joining The Exiles.

Speaking about the signing, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “It is great to be welcoming a player of Matt’s experience and character to Leicester Tigers.”

“He is a tried and tested player in the Premiership and adds important depth and competition to our back row ranks.”

“You don’t play a century of games in this league without a certain level of toughness and commitment, as well as plenty of talent, and Matt has shown that over a number of years now.”

“His class and character has shone through in recent time, when captain of London Irish, to lead his playing group through such a tumultuous period and it is that type of person we want representing Leicester Tigers.”

KIERAN WILKINSON

The 23-year-old fly-half joins Tigers from Sale Sharks.

Wilkinson rose through the Sale ranks while attending Kirkham Grammar School in Lancashire, who boast an impressive alumni list including former Leicester Tigers player and Head Coach Richard Wigglesworth.

During a decorated age-grade career, he represented England at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-20s, with the latter seeing him feature alongside now club mates Nic Dolly, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Joe Heyes in the 2018/19 England Under-20s squad.

Wilkinson made 22 appearances for Sale in all competitions since his senior debut in 2018.

Speaking about the signing, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “It is great to be able to confirm Kieran’s signing with the club from next season, which will see him boost our fly-half ranks alongside Charlie Atkinson and Handrè Pollard.”

“While still very much a young man, Kieran has already got a great amount of senior experience in the English game and is a player with potential.”

“We are confident that he will be able to take his game to the next level as part of Leicester Tigers and looking forward to helping him continue to develop his game.”

MIKE WILLIAMS

The 31-year-old forward returns to Tigers, where he made more than 80 appearances during four seasons with the club, after stints with Bath Rugby and Exeter Chiefs.

Williams, who is capable of playing at lock and across the back-row, played his junior rugby with The Sharks and Blue Bulls in South Africa before joining Worcester Warriors in 2013.

The Zimbabwean-born forward moved to Leicester in 2015, where his performances in green, red and white earned him selection in the England squad for the 2016 Autumn Internationals.

In the summer of 2019, Williams joined Bath and made 49 appearances for the Somerset club before making a mid-season switch to Exeter during the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking about the signing, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “We are excited to have Mike back at Leicester Tigers.”

“He is a physical player with a combative approach to the game and enjoys the tough stuff - all the attributes we want in our forwards at this club.

“I am certain our supporters are pleased to see a man of Mike’s character back at the club also. He understands what it means to be able to represent Leicester Tigers, our role in the community and is as passionate as ever about being a part of that again.”