Leicester announce retention of USA international as PWR re-signings start

Leicester Tigers have announced the retention of USA Women’s Eagles international Tess Feury as their first re-signing ahead of the 2026/27 season.

The 30-year-old, who has won 34 international caps and played at three Women’s Rugby World Cups, has been an integral player for Tigers since she arrived in the East Midlands in 2023.

This season Feury has scored three tries and four conversions across 13 Premiership Women’s Rugby appearances in 2025/26. Feury is one of four USA internationals that calls Mattioli Woods Welford Road home.

So far this season, Leicester are yet to experience victory in the league and are ninth in the table. Their closest rivals, Bristol Bears, are 28 points ahead of them.

In April the club announced an enhanced strategy for growth and additional commitment to their women’s team. Since the East Midlanders joined the English top flight, the side have finished ninth and eighth in the league.

Leicester Tigers’ statement: “The plan will see a strengthening of the programme with new and enhanced roles, both on the performance and commercial sides of the business, together with a robust development plan for our playing group.

“Over the past five years, the programme has made great strides in promoting rugby to women and girls within Leicester, Leicestershire, and the surrounding areas. Partnerships with Lichfield RFC, Nottingham University and UXi [Leicester Tigers Women’s Institute] continue to grow and the intention is to evolve those partnerships for the benefit of all parties and provide opportunities at all levels for both player and staff development.

“On the field, the club has gone through a period of transition, with Director of Women’s Rugby Fraser Goatcher and Head Coach Ross Bundy joining in 2025, their key emphasis has been on developing players, and their young side has seen huge growth in potential.

“Given the increase in funding and planned revenue growth that the programme will receive, we are all excited to see the progress that will continue to be made in partnership with PWR.”

The club have also confirmed that wing Karolina Kacirkova has put pen to paper on a new deal. The 25-year-old, who has also had spells with West Park Leeds, Loughborough Lightning, DMP Sharks and Lichfield, has made 13 appearances this season and crossed the whitewash once.