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Leicester Tigers eye ex-Wales flyhalf as Handre Pollard replacement
With Handré Pollard’s future at Leicester Tigers uncertain, the club has already begun scouting potential replacements, with Sam Davies reportedly on their shortlist. The 31-year-old fly-half is currently negotiating a contract extension with FC Grenoble, but a move to Leicester remains a possibility, although nothing has been finalized.
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Born and raised in Swansea, Davies began his career in the local club’s academy before joining the Ospreys in 2012, where he remained until 2019. His impressive performances at the club level earned him a call-up to the Wales national team in 2016, making his debut against Australia in November of that year. He later played a pivotal role in Wales’s narrow victory over Japan in Cardiff, securing the win with an 80th-minute drop goal.
Despite his strong start with the national side, Davies was not recalled by Warren Gatland, who favoured Gareth Anscombe and Rhys Patchell in the 2018 Six Nations squad. Over seven seasons with the Ospreys, Davies scored an impressive 830 points before leaving to join the Newport Gwent Dragons.
In 2023, Davies moved to France, signing with FC Grenoble after wrapping up his career in Welsh rugby. He had a stellar debut season with the French club, tallying 239 points and helping them reach the Pro D2 final. Although Grenoble fell short against RC Vannes in the promotion race and narrowly missed defeating Montpellier in the repechage playoff, Davies’s impact was undeniable.
Meanwhile, Castres is also rumoured to be interested in signing the experienced playmaker as they look to strengthen their squad after missing last season’s Top 14 playoffs. Leicester Tigers will need to make a decision soon, with Grenoble eager to secure Davies’s services for the long term with an increased offer.
For now, Davies remains focused on his current club, aiming to help Grenoble stay at the top of the Pro D2 standings. This weekend’s crucial match against CA Brive will be key to that objective.
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If true hardly an equitable replacement for Pollard. Maybe a back up for Shillcock?