USA Women's Eagles trio top list of 10 Leicester Tigers departures

Leicester Tigers have confirmed the impending departure of 10 players from the East Midlands at the end of the Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

These departures include USA Women’s Eagles trio Emily Henrich, Kristin Bitter and Emerson Allen. All three players represented their country at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. Henrich first joined Leicester in 2024 and scored 14 tries in her debut season.

The 26-year-old registered two tries in 15 PWR appearances in 2025/26, Bitter played 16 matches this season and Allen played in 14 fixtures.

Wales international Katherine Baverstock exits Mattioli Woods Welford Road after one season. Due to injury the 23-year-old prop only made six appearances all season for Tigers as they finished bottom of the PWR table.

In April, Leicester announced that they had agreed “an enhanced strategy for growth, additional investment and continued commitment” to its women’s club.

The club’s statement said: “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 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.”

Already the club have announced the signings of Australia international Tabua Tuinakauvadra and capped France prop Coco Lindelauf.

Lock forward Olivia Tallon, who joined the club after a trial period at the start of the season, made three appearances in the East Midlands.

Zoe Evans’ stay with Tigers is over after four seasons. She joined the club from Lichfield and put on a Leicester shirt 34 times. Charlotte Daley departs after 22 appearances in four seasons and capped South Africa prop Amber Schonert makes her exit having made no appearances for the club.

It has also been confirmed by the club that Leah Heath and Danielle Solly will both retire from rugby. Heath played 13 matches this season before a shoulder injury ended her season, while Solly played nine times this term.