Aussie Chief becomes a Tiger

Leicester Tigers have signed Australian scrumhalf Pat Phibbs along with loose forward Brett Deacon ahead of the new Premiership season.

The 30-year-old Phibbs joins the Tigers as short-term cover for the injured Ben Youngs who is due to undergo shoulder surgery.

The former Brumbies scrumhalf, who joined the Exeter Chiefs last year has signed a four-month contract as vital cover behind the scrum.

Director of rugby Richard Cockerill explained: "Ben Youngs is out after shoulder surgery and Scott Steele has not done any pre-season because of the injury he picked up at the end of last season.

"He will not play until the end of August so we need to have a bit of an insurance policy at scrumhalf. Pat is that person and will be here for four months.

"Matt O'Connor knows him well from his time at the Brumbies, and Pat knows the Aviva Premiership well because he was with the Exeter Chiefs last season," he said.

Deacon, who came up through the ranks at Tigers, returns to Welford Road after two years at Gloucester.

The 30-year-old arrives as an injury dispensation signing following long-term injuries to Tom Croft (neck) and Craig Newby (knee) and will provide cover in the back row.

Cockerill said: "Brett has done well for Gloucester during the past couple of years and he already knows the environment well at Leicester.

"We have had some injury issues in the back row with Craig Newby and Tom Croft out, and Jordan Crane coming back from long-term injury.

"Brett has played more than 100 first-class games and can come in and fit in where we need him to because he has plenty of experience," he added.