Leicester Tigers statement: George Martin exit

Leicester Tigers have confirmed the exit of England lock George Martin and have clarified that they had offered him a “competitive deal”.

As reported by RugbyPass, Martin is set to sign for Saracens and the tone of Leicester head coach Geoff Parling’s statement implies they’re very disappointed in his decision to leave for their PREM rivals.

Parling said: “We would have liked George to stay with the club as he’s a top-quality player developed through our academy alongside many of the current team.

“While we offered George a competitive deal to remain with Tigers, he has chosen a different direction for the next stage of his career. We thank him for his time with us and wish him well.”

Martin debuted for Tigers in 2019 and has since made 73 appearances with nine tries, earning 21 England caps and featuring in the club’s 2022 PREM title win.

The 24-year-old is currently rehabbing a shoulder injury and hopes to return later this season.

Alex Sanderson’s Sale Sharks had been the first suitors for Martin, but the draw of north London appears to have won the day for the Sarries.

Sanderson has detailed that the club are in the market for a number of star signings but he has also drawn a line in the sand on how much he’s prepared to pay for talent.

“We have had a couple of instances of players and agents coming back and asking for over and above the market value,” Sanderson told RugbyPass recently. “We are not naive enough to be held to ransom over the fact that we have the resources to build a squad.

“We are not going to get the p*** taken out of us, basically, and that has had an effect on some of the players we could have signed.”

The Nottingham-born lock, who featured in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-final loss to South Africa, seemed intent on leaving Welford Road come what may.