Leicester Tigers strike loan deal for Scarlets star until end of season.

Leicester Tigers have announced the signing of Scarlets and former South Africa U20 Star on a loan deal until the end of the season.

The 28-year-old flyer provides cover at Full-Back or Wing which has been a major area of concern for the relegation-threatened Tigers. They have been left short in back three options due to the retirement of Matthew Tait and the long term injuries to Adam Thompstone and Telusa Veainu.

Blommetjies joined the Scarlets from fellow Pro14 side, Toyota Cheetahs last summer following a stand out season for the South African franchise but has found his opportunities limited to only 6 appearances in Wales.
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Scarlets coach Wayne Pivac commented on the loan deal;

“We are fortunate to have a number of high-quality options in our back three at the moment so have agreed to Leicester’s request for a loan deal for Clayton.”

Scarlets are certainly not short of back-three options boasting Welsh Internationals Leigh Halfpenny, Steff Evans and Rhys Patchell along with New Zealander and soon to be Welsh qualified try scoring machine, Johnny McNicholl. They will have to face Zebre this weekend without Blommetjies in the Pro14 but many see this as a foregone conclusion in favour of the Scarlets.

Leicester Tigers coach Geordan Murphy does not have such luxuries and has welcomed the addition to his side hoping that Blommetjies could be the spark that his Tigers side needs to avoid relegation.

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said:

“Injuries have stretched us with Mathew Tait’s retirement and the long-term absence of Adam Thompstone and Telusa Veainu so we’ve been looking to add to our options in the back three and we’re happy that Clayton has come in to join that group.”

Speaking at the club’s Oval Park training ground, Blommetjies told LTTV:

“I think I will fit in nicely at Leicester Tigers.”

“I will do my best and give 100% in everything I do for the rest of the season.”

This is the second short-term signing made in 2 weeks by the Tigers with the addition of former Bath & Toulon coach Mike Ford to their coaching team until the season end.

With only 4 games to go in the Gallagher Premiership, the Tigers sit precariously in 10th position, only 5 points above bottom side Newcastle Falcons with many UK rugby bookmakers offering bets on Tigers to finish at the bottom.

Leicester Tigers travel to Newcastle this weekend to face the Falcons in a must win match that will undoubtedly be season defining.

Murphy opted to go with Australian International, Matt Toomua in the 15 jersey last week in the heavy defeat to Exeter Chiefs. It will be interesting to see if Blommetjies is parachuted straight into the starting XV for the crunch game.

This weekend offers some fascinating ties in Round 19 of Gallagher Premiership action.