Tigers Release Statement on axed Quintet

Leicester Tigers have today released a statement following failed contract talks with five of their players including England centre Manu Tuilagi.

The club set their players a deadline of Tuesday last week to sign new deals on reduced terms, to reflect the impact of the coronavirus pandemic and also the upcoming salary cap reductions with Tuilagi headline the cast-list of departees who refused to accept the wage cuts.

"Leicester Tigers can confirm that the employment of each of Greg Bateman, Kyle Eastmond, Noel Reid and Manu Tuilagi, as well as Telusa Veainu, who signed with French club Stade Francais earlier this week, has now ended and they will no longer be playing for the club," said the Tigers in a statement. 

"...Jordan Taufua, who was afforded an extended period of consultation after being quarantined following his return to Leicester from New Zealand, is still in conversations with the club.

"In line with club policy and out of respect to Taufua regarding this confidential matter, Tigers will not comment on these ongoing discussions."