Leicester fans will have to wait before seeing new fly-half recruit in action

While no doubt excited at the news that a new southern hemipshere fly-half has been snapped up by the club, Leicester fans will have to wait before seeing Jack Bowen in action.

Bowen has been signed from the NSW Waratahs on a multi-year deal but will arrive at Mattioli Woods Welford Road via a spell of club rugby in Japan.

Leicester’s partner club, Mitsubishi Dynaboars, will get first use of the 22-year-old, who will spend the 2026-27 season gaining experience in Japan’s Rugby League One.

Lewis Chessum, Charlie Titcombe and Harry Palmer have all previously played for Dynaboars on loan as part of their development.

“Jack is someone who we think has some real potential and couldn’t hide his excitement and getting the opportunity to come here,” said Tigers head coach Geoff Parling.

“He’ll come to Leicester via our partner club in Japan – Mitsubishi Dynaboars – to keep working on his game, and we then look forward to seeing what he can do with us from 2027 onwards.”

Bowen, a former Junior Wallaby, has made 17 Super Rugby appearances across four seasons with the ‘Tahs.

He said: “Joining Tigers is a really special feeling. Leicester’s a club with such strong history and they’ve had so much success in the past so to be able to come across to a club like that is super exciting.”

“It’s a move that I’m hoping propels my career forward and hopefully I can add to the success that Leicester’s already had.”

“I like to think I’m pretty level headed and cool under pressure and someone that just really loves the game and is going to give it their all for Leicester.”

With no replacement named yet for James O’Connor, Billy Searle and the aforementioned Titcombe will continue to compete for the No.10 jersey, with Joseph Woodward and Orlando Bailey as back-up.