Early blow for Joe Schmidt as Wallabies centre’s move abroad complicates British and Irish Lions selection

Wallabies’ new head coach Joe Schmidt has already received some bad news after Premiership side Leicester Tigers confirmed the signing of Izaia Perese.

The centre will move to England ahead of the 2024/25 season after spending the past three years at the Waratahs.

Perese has always been a highly regarded talent but only started to fulfil his potential after returning to Australia following a brief stint in France with Bayonne.

Reward for Super Rugby form

He signed for the Tahs in 2021 and has impressed in Super Rugby over the past few seasons, earning several Wallabies caps as a result, but he could forgo those international ambitions by joining Leicester.

“My family and I are very excited to move to the UK and join Leicester Tigers,” the talented back said. “I am looking forward to embracing Leicester’s rugby culture and contribute to the club’s legacy.

“We can’t wait for the journey ahead and the chance to create lasting connections with the lads and the community.”

The 26-year-old’s game time has been limited at Test level, but he did enough to earn selection for the Rugby World Cup and featured against Portugal.

However, by moving to England, he could be ruling himself out of national team selection due to the current laws in place.

James O’Connor’s intriguing Wallabies selection pitch as British & Irish Lions series looms

Space is limited for overseas-based players in the Wallabies squad, with Schmidt currently only allowed to select three individuals who ply their trade outside of Australia.

Perese should be eligible for the British and Irish Lions series, considering that he has given over five years of service to Australian rugby, but the head coach could look elsewhere, especially with the experienced Samu Kerevi still playing in Japan.

It may also affect his chances of featuring for his country this year too, with Schmidt having just the next eight months to get his squad in place ahead of the Lions tour, which kicks off Australia’s 2025 Test season.

‘Pace and power’

As for Leicester, they don’t have such concerns and are delighted to have a player of his quality joining the club for next season.

Tigers’ general manager Richard Wilks said: “We can’t wait to welcome Izaia and his young family to Leicester. We set out to add a player with pace and power and we certainly feel we’ve done that.

“He’s a player that gets you out of your seat, and I’ve no doubt our supporters will enjoy watching him play in a Tigers shirt.”

Meanwhile, current Leicester head coach and former Wallabies assistant Dan McKellar added: “Izzy’s a real point of difference player with footwork, power, and the ability to beat defenders.

“He’s always had immense talent, but he’s added to that natural game with his defence, his effort areas and having worked with him in the Wallabies environment, I know he’s someone who will thrive playing at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”

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