Leicester Tigers make Six new signings for 25/26 season
- 3557
Leicester Tigers can confirm six additions to the 25/26 Senior Squad and two exciting youngsters who have graduated from the Under-18s into the Senior Academy ahead of new Head Coach Geoff Parling’s first season in charge.
The sextet of Orlando Bailey, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, James O’Connor, Billy Searle, John Stewart, and James Thompson join fellow newcomers Jamie Blamire, Tarek Haffar, Joaquin Moro, Wilf McCarthy, and Charlie Titcombe, as new signings for the club ahead of the 25/26 campaign.
Academy graduates Diamond Ayiehfor and George Marsh will make the step up from to the Senior Academy, which brings the total of new additions to Parling’s group to thirteen.
JAMES O’CONNOR
Experienced international James O’Connor will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The versatile back, capable of playing across the backline, joins the club after a successful 2025 Super Rugby season which saw the 34-year-old play a vital role in the Crusaders title winning campaign.
O’Connor was the youngest ever Super Rugby debutant when he made his Western Force debut at just 17 years of age in 2008. His Test debut for the Wallabies came just months later, against Italy, on Australia’s northern hemisphere tour.
He spent four seasons with the Force before joining the Melbourne Rebels in 2012 & 2013. At the end of the 2013 Super Rugby season, O’Connor moved to London Irish ahead of the 2013/14 Premiership season.
He then had a brief stint with the Queensland Reds in 2015, with a focus on making the 2015 Rugby World Cup, but that wasn’t to be, and he decided to keep learning and developing his game by signing with European powerhouse RCT Toulon. He made more than 50 appearances for the French club, helping them to reaching two Top 14 Finals.
O’Connor returned to England to join Sale Sharks ahead of the 17/18 Premiership season and spent two seasons at the club before making the choice to leave his deal a year early and have one last crack at a Wallabies recall and Rugby World Cup.
His move proved successful, earning selection in Michael Cheika’s Australian squad for what would be O’Connor’s second Rugby World Cup after featuring in the 2011 tournament.
He has made 64 Test appearances for the Wallabies and represented Australia at Sevens also in his early years.
A prolific points-scorer, O’Connor sits just outside the top ten on Super Rugby’s all-time points-scorers tally and has more than 250 points for Australia at Test level.
He then signed for New Zealand powerhouse, the Crusaders in 2025. A move that proved very fruitful for both him and the organisation.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, O’Connor said: “Leicester are well known down under as the team in England; rich in history and team culture.”
“Geoff called me a few weeks ago when I was deciding on my future and it just felt right. I’ve played under Geoff, in the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and I feel we see the game through a similar lens.
“As for the playing element, I’m just bloody excited to take the field and help in any way I can. Tigers are a quality side, what more proof do you need than this year’s Final. I have been watching intensely from afar and am very excited to slot in and help the team grow in any way possible.
“For me coming in, it’s not so much about what I’ll be doing, more so how can I be the most useful team man to help us go one better. Whether that’s on the training pitch, creating game plans off it or if I’m given the keys to steer the ship. Whatever my role lands on, I’m just excited for the new experience!”
Discussing the return to the Premiership, he added: “I feel like it’s a full circle moment. I’ve been honing my craft for the last six years as a fly-half and have picked up a lot of new knowledge, not only in Australia but also this year with the Crusaders.”
“So, now I’m at a place where I want to test myself, step up and deliver on the big stage. I’ve played for two teams in the Premiership, but I never felt I played my best footy, due to injury, life choices and just where I was at as a man. So, this move is to rectify this.”
On calling Mattioli Woods Welford Road home, O’Connor said: “As I said, the Tigers are known for their ability to just grind teams out. Rugby doesn’t always have to be pretty or strategic.”
“A lot of the time it’s how willing each teammate is to go deep into pain for their brothers and that’s one thing I’ve always noticed with the Tigers; effort can never be questioned when you play them!”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “James brings a wealth of experience to the club next season, which will be a huge benefit to our group, of which the age profile is significantly younger next season.”
“He’s not just played a lot of rugby but has experienced a lot of unique and successful environments over almost two decades, and remains hungry to learn, grow and develop. He wants to come to Leicester and contribute on and off the field, in a senior leadership role.
“We saw this season with the Crusaders that he is still at the top of his game, with added value given his versatility, and joins us on the back of a successful, trophy-winning season. We are very excited to welcome James to Leicester Tigers.”
ORLANDO BAILEY
Orlando Bailey will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The 23-year-old will make the move to the East Midlands from Bath Rugby, who he has made 99 appearances for in five seasons after debuting as an 18-year-old.
Capable of playing fly-half, full-back or centre, Bailey has registered almost 300 points for Bath.
An age-grade representative for England, at Under-18s and Under-20s, Bailey featured for the latter alongside future club mates Emeka Ilione and Jack van Poortvliet.
In 2022, he was included in the England senior men’s squad ahead of the Six Nations and featured for the national side against The Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, Bailey said: “I am lucky and excited to be moving to a historic club, with a bright future and I’m feeling ready to take on this new challenge. Leicester Tigers is a club I’ve always respected, and I am looking to contribute towards future success on the pitch.”
“It’s the right time for me to take on a new challenge outside of my comfort zone, where I can continue to grow as a player and person. I’m excited to be joining a really strong group, which has an exciting blend of quality younger guys and experienced players.”
On calling Mattioli Woods Welford Road home, Bailey added: “Having played away at Mattioli Woods Welford Road four times now, I’ve always been struck by the intensity of the atmosphere, the dedicated fan base, and the way the team feeds off of this.”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “Orlando is a young player, just 23 years of age, but also an experienced player with almost a hundred senior games under his belt for Bath.”
“He joins us from a successful, professional programme and with not only five seasons in the Premiership but also having had the experience of being a part of England squads in recent years.
“In our chats with Orlando, he’s shown how hungry he is to play consistent rugby, be successful and contribute from the start of this new, exciting chapter at Leicester Tigers. He is great addition to our squad.”
BILLY SEARLE
Billy Searle will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The fly-half will return to the Gallagher Premiership, where he previously featured for Wasps and Worcester Warriors, after three seasons in French rugby.
Born in Exeter, Searle rose through the ranks of local rugby and represented Launceston and Plymouth Albion before joining Bristol, while the Bears were part of the Championship, in 2016.
He spent two seasons with Wasps before joining Worcester ahead of the 20/21 campaign and, after the Warriors left the Premiership, Searle joined Bath on a short-term contract.
Searle joined Toulouse as cover during the 2023 Rugby World Cup before moving to Biarritiz and then ahead of the 24/25 campaign, to Agen.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, Searle said: “I am very excited to be joining such a big club in Leicester Tigers. I can’t wait to help contribute on the pitch and hopefully bring more success to the club.”
On calling Mattioli Woods Welford Road home, Searle added: “Every time I’ve played at Mattioli Woods Welford Road the atmosphere has been electric. I can’t wait to run out and play with that support on my side.”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “It is brilliant to see Billy Searle back in the Premiership, especially at Leicester Tigers.”
“His experience in the Premiership, with Wasps and Worcester, has been added to over recent seasons with stints at Toulouse, Biarritz and Agen, which has helped him develop as a player and leader. At 29, he is entering his prime years and has expressed his desire to come back and prove himself in the Premiership, where his career began.
“Billy is a player with an immense amount of skill and technical ability that adds great strength to our squad, and we are pleased to be bringing him home next season.”
GABRIEL HAMER-WEBB
Exciting outside back Gabriel Hamer-Webb will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The 24-year-old arrives at the club from Cardiff Rugby, where he has spent two seasons after previously representing Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby.
Hamer-Webb was a gifted sportsman as a youngster and had opportunities at football clubs before opting for rugby as a teenager, when he joined the Bath Academy. He rose through the ranks of Bath before making his senior debut in the 19/20 campaign.
In 2020, he was a part of the England Under-20s Six Nations squad alongside future clubmates Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward.
After 32 appearances for Bath, he spent time with Southland Stags in New Zealand’s domestic competition before returning to the United Kingdom to join Cardiff, during which time he spent loan period at Northampton.
Hamer-Webb will join Tigers on the back of an impressive 24/25 campaign which included a nomination for URC Next-Gen Player of the Season after starring for the Welsh club with 12 tries in all competitions.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, Hamer-Webb said: “I’m really excited about joining the Tigers. The group is littered with brilliant players, and I intend to add to that next season, I’ve played alongside the likes of Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward already and looking forward to building on that connection again. I see massive potential with Leicester Tigers to go on and do great things in the league and Europe.”
On calling Mattioli Woods Welford Road home, Hamer-Webb added: “It is an incredible place to play, having played there against Leicester Tigers before I know how passionate the fans are, and hope I can give them lots of reasons to make some noise.”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “Gabriel is an exceptional athlete who adds important competition to our outside backs next season. He’s powerful, fast and, as we’ve seen for Cardiff recently, a very strong finisher.”
“We identified him a while ago as a potential Leicester Tigers player and, since then, his game has gone from strength to strength, so it’s exciting that we will be bringing him in on the back of that kind of form to build on further under Geoff Parling.”
“He’s keen to show what he is capable of at this level, as well as being determined to bring further success to this club which is a great sign and excites us all ahead of his arrival.”
JOHN STEWART
Front-rower John Stewart will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The 23-year-old hooker will arrive in the summer from Bath Rugby after four seasons as part of the Somerset club’s senior squad.
After graduation from the Bath Academy, during which time he represented England at Under-18s level, Stewart made his senior debut in the 21/22 campaign. His first Premiership appearance came in the 23/24 season against Leicester Tigers.
Stewart represented England at Under-20s level across two seasons, in 2021 and 2022, alongside future clubmates Emeka Ilione, Jack van Poortvliet, George Martin and fellow new signing Tarek Haffar.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, Stewart said: “I am very excited to be joining Leicester Tigers, firstly because of the calibre of players the team possesses but also the rich history of the club and the massive following and support of the city itself. I'm very much looking forward to the first time putting on the Tigers jersey.”
“Leicester presents opportunities to learn off some of the best in the business, especially as a front row player. This will be massive for my set piece development and allow me to transfer that onto the field.”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “John is a young, promising, aspirational player that we are looking forward to welcoming to Leicester Tigers in the summer.”
“We have a new look to our group of hookers next season, all with their own unique point of difference that is great for our roster. John is a dynamic player and joins us with strong foundations built over a number of years in a successful, very well coached programme.
“It’s a strong signing and we are looking forward to seeing John continue to develop here at Leicester Tigers next season.”
JAMES THOMPSON
James Thompson will join Leicester Tigers ahead of the 25/26 season.
The versatile forward, capable of playing in the second row and back row, joins from National Provincial Championship club Counties Manukau in New Zealand.
Thompson represented New Zealand Under-20s in 2019 after impressing for Waikato. He was a member of the Chiefs squad for the Super Rugby squad in 2020 and while also featuring for Waikato before, in 2024, joining fellow Super Rugby side the Blues.
Speaking about joining Leicester Tigers, Thompson said: ”Leicester Tigers is a club with a proud history and great supporters. I am looking forward to immersing myself within the culture and to also learn from and contribute alongside some top players.”
“I've enjoyed my time in New Zealand, but this feels like the right moment to test myself in a new environment. Northern Hemisphere rugby is a different brand to the style played in New Zealand, and so this is a great opportunity to grow and develop as a player.
“It's certainly an exciting prospect to be a part of a great club and one that my partner and I are excited about.”
General Manager Richard Wilks added: “James is a promising player, who will join us next season having built up an impressive portfolio of work in New Zealand at domestic level and as part of Super Rugby programmes.”
“He’s still young, just 25 years old, and has the versatility to play in the second row or back row, which adds important versatility and depth to our pack.
“One of the many benefits of Geoff Parling leading the programme is his in-depth knowledge of Super Rugby and he identified James as a player that he believes would be successful in our environment. “We’re looking forward to welcoming James, and his partner Ruby, to Leicester Tigers in the summer.”
ACADEMY GRADUATES
Diamond Ayiehfor and George Marsh have been rewarded with Senior Academy contracts ahead of the 25/26 season.
The duo are graduates of the Tigers Academy, having represented the club in the Under-18 league over the past two seasons.
Diamond Ayiehfor
Position: Prop
School: Warwick School
Junior Club: Old Coventrians RFC
On making the Senior Academy squad, Ayiehfor said: “It’s the next step in completing my dream; I am finally getting to the good stuff.”
George Marsh
Position: Back row
School: Gresham’s School / Denstone College
Junior Club: Holt RFC
On making the Senior Academy squad, Marsh said: “This has been a goal of mine for as long as I can remember and I can’t wait to keep improving.”
