Gulliver joins Leicester
Leicester Tigers have signed talented squad player Ben Gulliver from the Cornish Pirates on a three-month loan deal.
Gulliver will take his place in a very talented second-row at the current Premiership champions and has already been promised top-flight rugby by Leicester coach Richard Cockerill. Leicester has also agreed to release one or two academy players in the future to go on loan to the Cornish Pirates.
The Pirates forward coach Ian Davies said: "We will never stand in the way of a player if a Premiership club comes calling and this is a win-win for Ben because if he goes like a million dollars and makes it that is brilliant. If not we get a player back with Premiership experience."
Gulliver is making a huge step up to play rugby in the Premiership but he possesses many qualities and skills that should help him take to Leicester like a duck to water.
Skills and qualities
Gulliver will be as big and strong as anyone else in the second-row. This is very important because this is a very competitive area of the field. Leicester is a club not short of quality in many areas but Gulliver has the chance to come in and make a real difference.
His passing is fantastic and this will make him a central and creative player in the team. It does not matter where you play in a team, if you can pass the ball you will be important. Leicester is going to look at Gulliver as the player to get them out of some tight spots and to release pressure.
Gulliver still has a few years of his playing career left as he is just under 30 years of age. If he does well at Leicester then there is a good chance that the club will keep him on. He needs to show his passion and desire because he's effectively playing for a permanent place.
Davies added: "We have been trying to establish links with a Premiership side for some time but without success. Leicester offered us an Academy player in return for Ben Gulliver."
Betting advice
Leicester were and will remain the favourites to lift the Premiership crown again at the end of the season. Gulliver will come in and strengthen the heart of the team so if you were thinking of backing them, you have no reason to do otherwise.
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