This is just good business all round.
Leinster have signed up Leicester Tigers utility back Niall Morris on a short-term contract.
The 27-year-old Dubliner headed to England five years ago after finding it eminently difficult to force his way into a back three that – on its best days – contained Luke Fitzgerald, Isa Nacewa and Rob Kearney.
Morris made 75 appearances in his first four seasons at Welford Road and scored 18 tries along the way. He proved himself in the tough environs of Premiership and Champions Cup rugby. 14 of his appearances were in European Cup games and he performed excellently against the likes of Toulouse, Ulster and Montpellier.
Morris did not make a single appearance for Leicester in 2015/16 due to an ankle injury that went from a niggle to a major threat to his career.
He was unfortunate that such a debilitating injury befell him in the final year of his Leicester contract. Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said he had no doubt Morris would find a new club. That club is Leinster and marks a homecoming and one that could revitalise his career. He commented:
“I am delighted to return to my home province, Leinster. I know the club well and it has fantastic players, staff and supporters. It is one of the biggest clubs in Europe and I am very much looking forward to being part of such a great set-up, again.”
The short-term deal gives Morris a full preseason and the first tranche of Guinness PRO12 fixtures to prove he has not lost any of the pace and power that marked him out one of Leicester’s biggest backline threats.
Should Morris prove himself and stay on until the end of the upcoming season, Leinster will get a player that can cover either wing and fullback. Having lost Fitzgerald to retirement and with so many other Leinster players set for Ireland duty, Leo Cullen should be able to call on a consistent, experienced performer.
Were injury to rear its head again, Morris can at least know that he got the chance at his hometown team.
Morris trained with Ireland during the 2013 Six Nations and played for Emerging Ireland later that year. Ahead of the 2013 November Series, Morris was called in by new Ireland coach Joe Schmidt.
“The goal now is to make that step-up to the senior squad,” he told me.
That goal may seem somewhat distant now but a good start with Leinster may bring it back into focus.
