Van Poortvliet nears long-term Leicester deal as Tigers lock down squad ahead of new season

Jack van Poortvliet is closing in on a new long-term contract with Leicester Tigers, with the England scrum-half in advanced talks over an extension to a deal that is due to expire next summer. The 25-year-old, who joined the Tigers academy at 12, is one of several players the club are working to retain ahead of a season that begins against Saracens at Welford Road on Sunday.

Van Poortvliet spoke candidly about the motivation driving Leicester’s ambitions this year, having watched arch-rivals Northampton Saints lift the Gallagher Premiership title after beating the Tigers in last season’s semi-final. “If you see anyone lift the PREM, especially the team which beats you in the semi-final, it does leave a bitter taste in your mouth,” he said. “But we want to win it for ourselves and not just to stop someone else.”

The Norfolk-born half-back, who has lost two semi-finals and a final during his career, said he believes the current squad has the quality to go all the way. “We have a real winning mentality in this squad and fell short last time. But now it’s about delivering it, and when I look around the dressing room, I’m confident we have the squad to win it.”

Van Poortvliet’s imminent renewal would be the second significant piece of contract business for Leicester in quick succession, following fly-half Billy Searle signing a new long-term deal last week. The club are also working to retain England and Lions loose forward Ollie Chessum, who held a 90-minute meeting with Tigers CEO Andrea Pinchen last week. Although Chessum has attracted interest from French clubs, confidence is reportedly growing that a deal will be agreed, with the Rugby World Cup now just a year away.

Once those negotiations are resolved, Leicester are expected to turn their attention to securing the futures of Joaquin Moro and Ollie Hassell-Collins, both of whom have entered the final year of their contracts.