Gallagher PREM 2025/26 squads rated: Leicester Tigers

Narrowly beaten in the 2025 Gallagher PREM final, Leicester will be hoping to go one better this season under new head coach Geoff Parling.

Parling’s arrival in place of Michael Cheika is not the only change to have taken place at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with two of the club’s old guard, Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, retiring, along with England’s most-capped full-back, Mike Brown.

With winger Josh Bassett also moving on to Worcester, the Tigers’ squad has lost nearly 1,000 appearances’ worth of Premiership experience.

As with most PREM squads, the Tigers are leaner in numbers, but that’s offset by the fact that a handful of players can alternate between positions, especially in the back five of the scrum and at 10 and 15.

Loosehead prop: Tarek Haffar, Archie van der Flier, Tubuna Maka, Cameron Miell, Nicky Smith
In Nicky Smith, Leicester have one of the foremost looseheads in the league in terms of ability and durability. The Welshman played in all 20 league games and spent more time on the pitch than any other prop (1,290 mins) in the Tigers’ run to the final. Tarek Haffar is a highly-regarded arrival from East Midlands rivals. Beyond those two, there is a shortage of PREM experience. Depth rating: 7.5/10

Hooker: Jamie Blamire, Charlie Clare, John Stewart, Finn Theobald-Thomas
Tigers fans will be hoping that Newcastle recruit Jamie Blamire will make as big an impact as Adam Radwan has done since his move from the North East to the Midlands. Like Nicky Smith, Blamire was top for minutes played in his position and scored six tries in his 17 appearances for the league’s cellar dwellers. However, he needs to improve his throwing, as his success rate of 80% is well down on the man he’s been tasked to replace, Julian Montoya. As well as being an inspirational leader, Montoya hit his jumpers 93% of the time and the hope is that Blamire will improve in a better team. In terms of back-up, Charlie Clare has years of experience, Finn Theobald-Thomas will only get better with another year under his belt and John Stewart is a young and dynamic arrival from Bath. Depth rating: 8/10

Tighthead prop: Joe Heyes, Will Hurd, Tonga Kofe
With Joe Heyes the heir to Dan Cole’s throne for both club and country, Scotland international Will Hurd and new US Eagles signing Tonga Kofe will have to shoulder plenty of work in the No.3 jersey, especially as the Tigers had more scrums than any other team last season (150). A late convert to rugby, Koge is a huge unit and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles the step up in class after playing his club rugby with Utah in the MLR. Swedish international Ale Loman will likely be drafted in on loan from Nottingham, if needed. Depth rating: 7/10

Locks: Lewis Chessum, Ollie Chessum, Cam Henderson, Tom Manz, George Martin, James Thompson, Harry Wells.
Leicester’s lineout operated at the 90% mark last season and also stole more ball than any of their rivals, so it’s a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. However, if any tweaks are made, they are almost sure to be positive, given head coach Geoff Parling’s expertise in this area. With Lewis Chessum emerging from the shadows of his brother, opposition lineouts will be on double red alert, while George Martin and Cam Henderson are both full-blown internationals and Harry Wells will be hellbent on making his testimonial season a successful one. Depth rating: 9.5/10

Back Row: Finn Carnduff, Olly Cracknell, Emeka Ilione, Hanro Liebenberg, Tommy Reffell, Joshua Manz, Joaquin Moro
The Tigers’ back row is very well stacked, especially as Lewis Chessum and George Martin can play as hybrid loose forwards without any drop-off in standards. There are few better at winning the gain line battle than Olly Cracknell and Hanro Liebenberg, who also top several other metrics. Tommy Reffell remains a complete nuisance at the breakdown and Emeka Ilione is already an absolute beast and looks set for a very bright future. Depth rating: 9.5/10

Scrum Half: Ollie Allen, Jack van Poortvliet, Tom Whiteley
Ben Youngs’ retirement has left a big void. Tigers look light in this specialist area, given that Jack van Poortvliet will be absent with England for long periods. Tom Whiteley always gives his all, but his PREM career has typically been as an understudy, not the main man. Depth rating 6.5/10

Fly Half: James O’Connor, Billy Searle, Charlie Titcombe
Orlando Bailey is a proven PREM 10 and the former Bath man will likely compete with the experienced Billy Searle as the Tigers’ primary playmaker until James O’Connor arrives from Australia. It’ll be fascinating to see what approach the Tigers take once O’Connor pitches up, as he’s a very different operator to the more pragmatic Handre Pollard. Either way, the Tigers look to have plenty of bases covered. Depth rating 8/10

Centre: Solomone Kata, Izaia Perese, Will Wand, Joseph Woodward
Putting disciplinary issues aside, Solomone Kata and Izaia Perese run and hit hard, while young Englishmen Will Wand and Joseph Woodward are terrific prospects. Woodward is further down the line in terms of career progression, but Wand could be one to bring some magic now that Harry Potter has gone. Bailey is also comfortable playing 12. Depth rating 8/10

Winger: Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan
Ollie Hassell-Collins and Adam Radwan were sensational last season and will be right up there amongst the top try-scorers again. Gabriel Hamer-Webb didn’t get much of a chance at Bath before trying to revive his career at Cardiff, and looks to be a good addition. However, the Tigers will probably have to call on their senior academy ranks at some point due to a lack of numbers. Depth rating 7.5/10

Full Back: Orlando Bailey, Freddie Steward
Solid-as-a-rock Freddie Steward is in England’s latest training squad and could be away for extended periods on Test duty. If Orlando Bailey is required to fill in elsewhere, full-back could be a problematic position. Depth rating: 7/10

Overall rating: 78.5

Gallagher PREM ratings table

1. Bath – 83pts
2. Northampton – 80pts
3. Leicester – 78.5pts
5= Bristol – 78pts
6= Sale Sharks – 78pts
6. Gloucester – 68pts