Nine-cap Wallaroo Ashley Fernandez joins Leicester Tigers as fifth Australian signing this summer

Ashley Fernandez, a 23-year-old lock forward with nine caps for Australia, will join Leicester Tigers from the ACT Brumbies for the 2026/27 Premiership Women’s Rugby season, making her the fifth Wallaroo to sign with the East Midlands club this summer.

Fernandez arrives alongside fellow Wallaroos international Tabua Tuinakauvadra, the reigning Wallaroos Player of the Year. The pair join a growing Australian contingent that also includes Caitlyn Halse, Halley Derera and Grace Freeman, the latter two recruited from Perth’s Western Force.

Leicester Director of Women’s Rugby Fraser Goatcher highlighted Fernandez’s set-piece credentials as a key reason for the signing. “Ashley is a great lineout technician,” Goatcher said. “We’re really looking forward to seeing what she can add to our lineout and her work rate around the pitch as well.”

Fernandez made her international debut against Fiji in May 2025 and has since accumulated nine caps, including two appearances at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 against Samoa and Canada. Earlier in 2025 she featured twice at the Pacific Four Series, where the Wallaroos finished fourth, and this season her Brumbies side missed out on the Super Rugby Women’s semi-finals with a 1-3 record.

“I’m really excited to be joining Tigers for the upcoming season,” Fernandez said. “I’m looking forward to continuing to grow my game in a professional environment, meeting everyone and getting stuck into the season.”

The influx of Australian talent is underpinned by a collaboration between Rugby Australia, its players and the Premiership Women’s Rugby competition, designed to give Wallaroos athletes additional game-time during the Australian offseason.

Leicester’s recruitment drive has not been limited to Australian players. The club also confirmed the signing of USA Women’s Eagles second row Rachel Ehrecke from Loughborough Lightning, while France international Coco Lindelauf, England centre Lagi Tuima and Wales’ Abbie Fleming will also represent the Tigers in the 2026/27 campaign. Leicester finished ninth in the Premiership Women’s Rugby last season and are clearly targeting a significant improvement.