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Leicester add sixth international signing to 2026/27 PWR squad
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Leicester Tigers have added a sixth capped international to their squad for the 2026/27 JAECOO Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign.
USA Women’s Eagles lock forward Rachel Ehrecke has crossed the East Midlands divide to join Tigers from Loughborough Lightning.
The 30-year-old spent one season with Loughborough, where she made 12 PWR appearances and scored two tries.
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Ehrecke, who has also represented Darlington Mowden Park Sharks, is the latest international to have signed on at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Wallaroos pair Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Caitlyn Halse will also be lining up for the club next season, as well as France’s Coco Lindelauf, Wales’ Abbie Fleming and England centre Lagi Tuima.
These signings have come after the club announced that they would have an ‘enhanced strategy’ for the 2026/27. This renewed commitment came amid the side’s ninth-place finish in PWR in the 2025/26 campaign.
Fraser Goatcher, Director of Women’s Rugby, said: “Rachel is someone who brings ridiculous work rate around the pitch. She’s a really industrious player, great in set pieces particularly the lineout, and is going to bring us some tenacity in defence.”
Last week Leicester head coach Ross Bundy announced he was leaving the East Midlands for a role with Exeter Chiefs as an assistant coach.
Due to head into their fourth PWR season, Leicester are yet to finish higher than eighth in the English women’s top flight and have seen USA internationals Emily Henrich, Kristin Bitter and Emerson Allen leave Mattioli Woods Welford Road this summer. Wales international prop Katherine Baverstock has also left Tigers.
Ehrecke has won 28 caps for the Eagles since her 2021 debut. The lock most recently appeared in each of her country’s two-match Test series against the Springbok Women in South Africa.
Ehrecke said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be joining a club with such a rich history and passionate fanbase. Can’t wait to get to work with the team and run out at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”
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