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Kyle Eastmond: Leicester sign utility back but Matt Toomua to leave at the end of the season

Last updated on .From the section Rugby Unioncomments38

Kyle Eastmond in action for Wasps
Kyle Eastmond made his England debut against Argentina in June 2013, two years after switching from the 13-man code

Leicester Tigers have signed dual-code international Kyle Eastmond following his departure from Wasps.

The 29-year-old utility back spent two years at the Ricoh Arena but was restricted to 23 outings for Wasps because of injury.

He has won six international caps for England since switching codes in 2011.

Meanwhile, Australia centre Matt Toomua will leave the Tigers at the end of the season after agreeing a deal with Rugby Australiaexternal-link and Melbourne Rebels.

Mancunian Eastmond played rugby league for St Helens and the national side before switching to rugby union and joining Bath seven years ago.

He scored 16 tries in 72 top-flight appearances for the Somerset club and made his international debut against Argentina in June 2013.

"We have some very skilful and exciting players in our backline and Kyle will add to that quality," Tigers head coach Matt O'Connor told the club website.external-link

Toomua to depart Welford Road

Eastmond's arrival has been tempered by news that Toomua is set for his final season with the Tigers as he bids to win a place in Australia's squad for the World Cup next year.

The 28-year-old centre will feature for the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship this autumn, returning to Leicester during the rest periods - which coincide with rounds one and four of the new Premiership season - and then be available for the remainder of the English domestic campaign.

He will then join the Rebels for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

"It has been a tough couple of weeks and one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in my career," he said.external-link

"However, the opportunity to return home to my wife and family after almost three years apart and, potentially, play in another World Cup was too hard to ignore.

"I absolutely love the club, have become close friends with all of my team-mates and want to go out in a successful way."

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38 comments

  • Comment posted by Proud Brit, at 12:41 1 Aug 2018

    From a Tigers fan of 6 decades: Kyle will be welcome, especially as a centre, where we have been vulnerable in the last few years. Very sorry to hear of Matt Toomua's departure; he's a very exciting player.

  • Comment posted by Andy, at 13:57 1 Aug 2018

    Toomua is going to play a whole year of rugby without much of a break up to the WC in 2019. Hope it works out for him he brought some class to Tigers last season. Hope we can see more of Toomua and Manu this season.

  • Comment posted by WPL, at 13:40 1 Aug 2018

    Shame. But I understand his reasons. Good replacement (I hope) Need a fit Tuilagi this season.

  • Comment posted by MoonInUranus, at 13:36 1 Aug 2018

    I like Eastmond but I don't quite see how he's a 'utility back' - to my knowledge the only position he's played in RU is centre.

    If he could just stay fit he might be an excellent signing for Leicester.

  • Comment posted by Mr B, at 12:35 1 Aug 2018

    Quick, creative and committed player.

    Only downside is his size and his over-compensation, which can result in high tackles and/or an arm rolling up to the neck.

  • Comment posted by Adam Timms, at 13:07 1 Aug 2018

    When fit, he's a very dynamic player. Don't be fooled by his size he isn't easily bullied.

  • Comment posted by RHOADES, at 12:51 1 Aug 2018

    Eastmond is a quality player who played little rugby last season through injury and suspension.

    He has the ability to achieve more at the highest level in Union and I'm pleased he has resisted a return to League.

  • Comment posted by 12345, at 12:41 1 Aug 2018

    On paper, Tigers have one of the most threatening backlines in Europe. Unfortunately they don’t have a forward pack or game plan to match. They persist in trying to bully teams when most teams can’t be bullied anymore. They need a mindset and culture change to meet the modern game. Trying to dominate teams by playing one pass away from a static ruck doesn’t work

  • Comment posted by Diprose_Gardner, at 20:13 1 Aug 2018

    Tooma is a very good player and has been a real asset, worth every penny, his family has to come first and I wish him well on his return to Aus. Breaking into the Aussie test team will be tough given the strength of their backs but he would be great off the bench given the positions he can cover. Thanks Matt for waking up the Tigers backline

  • Comment posted by 12345, at 13:52 1 Aug 2018

    @proud Brit
    Yes a tigers fan. Not convinced that Matt smith has a different approach to cockerill or the players are so entrenched in the same style of rugby that they can change. They lack dynamism and imagination. I don’t think the scrum is as important now. More penalties are won and lost at the breakdown. No point carrying a 20 stone bruiser just for scrums unless they add to open play

  • Comment posted by Undecided Joe, at 15:26 1 Aug 2018

    KE is a very good centre - he was unlucky with injuries (who hasn't been recently?), but he is creative, has good hands, quick feet and a centre's brain. As a Tigers fan I am pleased to see him join the ranks...

  • Comment posted by Clodhopper, at 15:28 1 Aug 2018

    I'm not so concerned about the back line - it looks good if we can get most of it on the pitch at the same time and Toomua is real class. It's the ability of the forwards to deliver front foot ball that concerns me. We were getting there after Xmas last season. Hope the signings f&b keep that going.

    The playoffs are not a won League. Hope now we can stop pretending getting there is good enough.

  • Comment posted by GM Massingbird, at 18:07 1 Aug 2018

    I see Eastmond as a bit of a let down for England, he was brilliant when he came an magnificent in the first test on NZ 6 years ago but it's all just faded since. Shame.

    Nick Selby, any relation to Mark.

  • Comment posted by rugbytomc, at 13:55 1 Aug 2018

    @10 he's played the majority of his time at 12, but has had some game time at 10 and 13 and undoubtedly has the speed/transferable skills to do a job at wing or full back and played scrum half in League so could probably fill in there in union if really needed

  • Comment posted by Apodicticus, at 22:21 1 Aug 2018

    Not sure this will make any difference as Leicester Tigers are still mired in the sort of rugby style that other teams have long since learned to cope with. Still, one never knows...

  • Comment posted by Nick Selby, at 17:03 1 Aug 2018

    Tigers have too much catching up to do to be a genuine threat anymore. Years of mismanagement from the top down through to the team have cost them. Many other clubs have evolved but our arrogance assumed our traditional methods would always be sufficient and we will continue to be an average team for many years to come.

  • Comment posted by bashit, at 14:00 2 Aug 2018

    @32 clearly you are... to click on the article read it then leave a response.
    muppet!

  • Comment posted by Casper, at 09:32 2 Aug 2018

    Good luck to him, player with issues!

    Woman's rugby could turn pro next season. LOL LOL LOL LOL .................No way is that sustainable and will end up draining the men's game dry.

  • Comment posted by ajm1983, at 08:59 2 Aug 2018

    @26 I agree, also seems like he has lost he way a little as well.

    In the tests v NZ a few years back he played incredible and showed his feet and ability to step of both feet - he looked like Billy Wizz, but he has still not found his best days in RU. I do think he would make an excellent full back ...

  • Comment posted by Batchy, at 08:51 2 Aug 2018

    On paper Eastmond is a good player, all of the skills you want and power to add to that. The issues is the way he approaches the game, maybe his RL influence. I mean just watch the game vs Quins last season. 5 mins on the pitch, 3 tackles, two of them high awarding penalties and the other very questionable. He then gets sent off and serves a ban. Just need to calm down and think about his approach

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