Leicester Tigers have announced that former Ireland underage international and Leinster fullback cum wing, Niall Morris has signed a new contract at the club. The 24- year-old has developed impressively at Welford Road – seven tries in 26 appearances – since joining the English club in the summer of 2011.
His most recent eye-catching performance was a two-try contribution in a recent victory over London Irish. The Tigers’ director of rugby Richard Cockerill enthused: “Niall made a big decision to leave Ireland and come to Leicester and he has been a very important member of the squad here for the last two seasons.
“He has been improving the whole time with us. He is a good young player who is developing really well and doing a good job for us.”
Contract extension
The former Blackrock College schoolboy said his decision had been straightforward. “I’m really enjoying my rugby at Leicester and I was happy to agree a contract extension.
“I think I’ve improved a lot as a player with Tigers and that is something I want to continue to do here. I’ve had great support from the coaches and the players, and I want to continue to play here and do my best for the club.”
However, for another Irish player at Leicester the future is less certain according to Cockerill. Tigers’ icon, club captain and former Ireland fullback Geordan Murphy is out of contract in June. The 34-year -old has yet to indicate definitively whether he wishes to continue playing or will hang up his boots.
Cockerill explained: “I have spoken to Geordy about it, but he needs to decide what he wants to do now. That may be playing or coaching and there are plenty of opportunities outside of the game for Geordan too.
“Like most guys who come to that stage of his career, you have to decide what you want to do. If you want to coach, go and coach. If you want to play on, your body will dictate that. Or, do you want to get away from the game and go and work? Geordy is a strong character and a great bloke and he can mix from the top to the bottom of the social scale.
Leicester bloke
“Hopefully, Geordan will want to stay in the game and, if so, we could potentially see what he could do for us here. You don’t want to lose that knowledge of playing top-end rugby for 15 years and with him also being a Leicester bloke. We will have to see. But you can only have so many coaches.”
“Whether he stays, goes, or is still involved in the club in some way, you want to do it right because Geordy could have left us three or four years ago to go back to Ireland for some big money; but he wanted to be here.
“In return, it doesn’t necessarily mean you give him another contract but you look after him in any way you can. We certainly will do that with him, as we have done with guys who have retired with injury or a Ben Kay or Martin Corry, you have to manage their exit so they feel comfortable. This is their club and they are always welcome back.”
