Australia duo O'Connor and Perese to leave Tigers
· Yahoo Sports
Leicester Tigers have announced Australia fly-half James O'Connor and fellow Wallabies back Izaia Perese, are leaving the club at the end of the season.
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O'Connor, 35, has been at Welford Road since last September when he joined Tigers for a third spell in England from New Zealand side Crusaders.
He has played 10 times so far this season, with his only try coming in Tigers' crushing 66-14 win over Exeter in the Prem Rugby Cup final last month.
In his six Prem appearances, he has kicked 18 points.
O'Connor said his time with Leicester had been "an awesome experience" and he was focussing "firmly on the business end of this season".
Head coach Geoff Parling said O'Connor had been "brilliant in bringing an experienced, calming influence to our group of backs" and would "continue to contribute massively to the run in and bring ideas and diligence in what he does".
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Centre Perese, 28, joined Tigers for the start of the 2024-25 campaign on a "multi-year" deal from Sydney-based Waratahs.
He has scored 11 tries in 28 games for Leicester, with three of his five this season coming in the Prem.
"I'll miss this group and I'm proud to have been a part of it. There's still a job to be done though and I'm fully committed to what's ahead," Perese said.
"I'd like to say a big thank you to all my coaches and staff for the support and development during my time here."