Rugby

Handre Pollard to replace George Ford at Leicester

Sprinbok says he turned down bigger deals on the table to be at Welford Road next year

Handre Pollard has signed for Leicester Tigers. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Tue Dec 7 2021 - 16:08

Leicester Latest Leicester have announced the signing of South Africa international Handre Pollard.

Fly-half Pollard, who helped the Springboks to victory over England in the 2019 World Cup final, will join Tigers from French club Montpellier for next season.

His arrival in the east midlands will fill the outhalf vacancy created by England international George Ford’s move from Leicester to Sale next term.

Pollard, 27, has won 60 Test caps and made his Springboks debut seven years ago.

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Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick said: “Handre is a world-class outhalf who brings with him a wealth of experience from Super Rugby, Top 14 and international rugby.

“He is a World Cup winner who has been highly sought after from clubs all over the globe. But, most pleasingly, he sees Leicester Tigers as the club for him.”

And Pollard added: “The club is going brilliantly at the moment and I know there is an expectation to continue that, to keep getting better, because getting to the top is hard, but staying there is even harder.

“There are bigger deals on the table, but I’ve made this decision to work with Steve and to be a part of an unreal, great club at Leicester Tigers which has such a great history.”

Handre Pollard