28-cap USA lock Ehrecke joins Leicester as sixth international signing for 2026/27 PWR season

Rachel Ehrecke, a 28-cap United States Women’s Eagles lock, has signed for Leicester Tigers from Loughborough Lightning, becoming the club’s sixth capped international addition for the 2026/27 Premiership Women’s Rugby season.

The 30-year-old spent one season at Loughborough, making 12 PWR appearances and scoring two tries. She has also previously represented Darlington Mowden Park Sharks and most recently featured in both matches of the USA’s two-Test series against the Springbok Women in South Africa. Ehrecke made her international debut in 2021.

She joins a growing group of overseas talent at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Australian pair Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Caitlyn Halse, France’s Coco Lindelauf, Wales’ Abbie Fleming, and England centre Lagi Tuima have all also committed to the club for next season.

The signings form part of what Leicester have described as an “enhanced strategy” for 2026/27, announced after the club finished ninth in the PWR standings in 2025/26. Heading into their fourth season in the competition, Tigers are yet to finish higher than eighth in the English women’s top flight.

Fraser Goatcher, Leicester’s Director of Women’s Rugby, highlighted Ehrecke’s physicality and set-piece ability as key factors in the recruitment. “Rachel is someone who brings ridiculous work rate around the pitch,” Goatcher said. “She’s a really industrious player, great in set pieces particularly the lineout, and is going to bring us some tenacity in defence.”

Ehrecke said she was eager to get started. “I’m incredibly honoured to be joining a club with such a rich history and passionate fanbase,” she said. “Can’t wait to get to work with the team and run out at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”

The arrivals come against a backdrop of notable departures. USA internationals Emily Henrich, Kristin Bitter, and Emerson Allen have all left the club this summer, as has Wales prop Katherine Baverstock. Leicester are also searching for a new head coach after Ross Bundy departed last week to take up an assistant coaching role at Exeter Chiefs.