2023-24: Eighth
Key signing: Izaia Perese, centre
Adam Whitty, BBC Radio Leicester sports editor:
Cautious optimism might be the phrase to describe Leicester supporters’ feelings about this season despite another chaotic summer.
Head coach Dan McKellar is out after just one year, having overseen a disappointing eighth-place finish. In comes a rugby rockstar in Michael Cheika.
We can guarantee some fiery press conferences. I was warned by ex-Tigers and Quins back Will Greenwood to wear oven gloves for my post-match interviews…
Expect Leicester to become a nasty team again, a tag they have relished in the past. Cheika knows how to win in club and international rugby, and he has hinted at a slightly more open game than we might expect from a Tigers team.
Leicester have also plugged a few big gaps. Izaia Perese looks frighteningly physical at outside centre, while Nicky Smith is a shrewd signing at loose-head.
Kyle Hatherell looks set to have the toughest task, the South African likely to be the replacement at number eight for departed compatriot Jasper Wiese, who Tigers had based their game around for the last few years.
Listen to the Leicester Tigers Rugby Show every Wednesday at 1800 on BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Sounds.
