Richard Cockerill, the Director of Rugby of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union side the Leicester Tigers has stated that the team is considering the option of signing Wessel Jooste, the back row forward from South Africa ahead of the start of the new season of the Aviva Premiership. The 31 year old spent the last 8 seasons with Bourgoin, the Top 14 side from France and would be a fantastic signing for The Tigers if he manages to complete the necessary paperwork involved to make the deal happen.
Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Cockerill stated that Jooste has been on trial with the record champions of the Aviva Premiership for quite some time and has been impressive with his performances on the training ground. But Cockerill also admitted that the South African was the one who was looking at the options of sorting out the necessary paperwork involved in terms of being granted a VISA and a work permit to put pen to paper on a deal with the Leicester Tigers.
The Tigers, who are currently enjoying a good spell of friendly matches ahead of the kickoff of the new season, have already 9 new players to the squad that finished second to Harlequins FC in the playoff final for the Premiership, narrowly missing out on what would have been their 9th Premiership title. However, with the injuries to Tm Croft and also Craig Newby, the addition of the versatile Jooste could prove to be a master stroke on the part of the Leicester Tigers management.
Cockerill admitted that his versatility would be a boost to the squad. Moreover, he added that his physique would make it really easy for him to adapt to the style of play in the country and he admitted that his signing would complete the puzzle.