Wallaroos star Caitlyn Halse joins Leicester Tigers after standout Women's World Cup

Caitlyn Halse will join Leicester Tigers in Premiership Women’s Rugby for the 2026/27 season, the club confirmed, with the 19-year-old Wallaroos full-back arriving from the NSW Waratahs after a breakthrough Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 campaign.

Halse, who has already accumulated 16 international caps, started all four of Australia’s fixtures at the tournament under head coach Jo Yapp, scoring four tries. Among her standout moments was a try in a 31-31 draw with the USA in the group stages.

Leicester’s Director of Rugby, Fraser Goatcher, was effusive about the signing. “Caitlyn is one of the up and coming superstars in world rugby, so to have 16 caps at age 19 speaks to the player she is,” he said. “She was one of the stars of the World Cup last year, she’s got multi-threat to her game. She can kick, she can run, she can pass, she can do everything extremely well and we’re super excited for her to be in the Leicester Tigers jersey.”

Halse herself said she is eager to test herself in a competitive European environment. “I’m incredibly excited to join Leicester and become part of the environment and programme they are building,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to develop as both a player and a person, learn and challenge myself in a highly competitive competition while continuing to play and grow my game.”

She becomes the fourth Australian to commit to Leicester, joining fellow Wallaroo Tabua Tuinakauvadra and Western Force pair Halley Derera and Grace Freeman.

Leicester also announced the signing of Wales international Abbie Fleming from PWR rivals Harlequins. The 30-year-old lock and back-row forward made 10 appearances for Harlequins in the 2025/26 season and holds 32 Test caps, the most recent of which came in Wales’ defeat to Fiji at last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“Abbie is somebody who is incredibly physical, we’re really looking forward to seeing what she’s going to add to our defence but also her attacking prowess as well,” Goatcher said. “She’s got a great skillset so we’re really looking forward to seeing what she brings.”