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England's Dolly and Heyes among new deals announced by Leicester
Rookie England hooker Nic Dolly has agreed on a new deal at Leicester, the club he joined just last March from Coventry. Having initially honed his skills at youths level in New South Wales, the Australian arrived at Sale in 2017 and was quickly included in the England U18s. He then played age-grade U20s but his club action was transient, Dolly making loan appearances for Sale FC, Rotherham Titans and Jersey Reds before getting released by the Sharks and winding up at Coventry when Steve Borthwick put in an emergency SOS call eleven months ago.
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That move was a game-changer for the career of the 22-year-old as not only has he gone on to make 16 appearances for Leicester, his emergence also caught the eye of Eddie Jones and Dolly became one of 23 players given England Test debuts during the 2021 calendar year when he appeared off the bench in the November win over South Africa.
“You consider where he has come from, he was going back to play for Coventry, got a call-up from Leicester Tigers, played four or five games for them, finds himself in the England squad and finds himself coming up against the best pack in the world and making his debut in front of 82,000 people at Twickenham. What a story in terms of resilience, in terms of just keep doing your work and when the opportunity comes, take it,” enthused Jones at the time.
With Luke Cowan-Dickie now back fit after missing the entire Autumn Nations Series due to injury, Dolly didn’t make the England squad that is currently preparing for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations campaign which starts away to Scotland next Saturday.
However, that omission has allowed him the time to sign off on the paperwork that will keep him at Leicester for the next while. “For me, this is a club that wants to be successful and is a group that wants to work hard, and I want to be able to be a part of that,” said Dolly on the Leicester website.
“To be able to be in not only a position where this great competition for a place but a squad where everyone is fighting for a spot, that only brings out the best in a player. We have a great group of guys on the field but also off it, who are all working to keep building something here at Tigers. Steve and the coaching group have been really good for me, especially in the past six or so months and my development. It has really helped me develop as a player.
“I think, and I would say most players from other clubs would admit, that we have the best stadium and biggest support behind us at Leicester Tigers. Our fans are awesome, they are incredibly supportive and have been great with me since I arrived. I want to be able to continue to experience that and be a part of that here at the club.”
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Borthwick added: “Nic has done incredibly well since joining Leicester Tigers. His growth and development as a player is a testament to the hard work that he has put in and his desire to improve. There is still such a potential for growth in Nic, which is very exciting.”
Leicester have also announced new deals with versatile back Guy Porter, the 25-year-old who has made 32 appearances since debuting in 2020 after joining from the Brumbies, tighthead Joe Heyes, the 22-year-old who has made 87 appearances since debuting in 2018 after graduating from the Tigers academy, lock Calum Green, Scotland midfielder Matt Scott, winger Harry Potter and back-rower Hanro Liebenberg. There is also a rumour that ex-England back Chris Ashton is training at the club following his release by Worcester.
Prop Heyes, who made a Summer Series Test debut last July, is currently with the England squad at Pennyhill Park. “This is my club and this is my home, to represent the passionate people of Leicestershire and our supporters is a huge honour,” he said.
“It’s very personal for me because my grandad used to play just across the road at Filbert Street and being a part of the proud sporting history of Leicester is amazing. Steve has challenged me on and off the pitch and made me believe what I can achieve with hard work and dedication.”
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Comments on RugbyPass
Obscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
15 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
11 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
11 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
15 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
11 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
8 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
8 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
11 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
8 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
15 Go to comments