Young French star Eneka Labeyrie joins Leicester Tigers

Eneka Labeyrie has signed with Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2025/26 season.

The France Under-20 international joins the club from Lou Rugby in Lyon and is capable of playing scrum half or fullback. 

In last summer's U20 Six Nations Summer Series Labeyrie featured in all three of France's matches, starting against Wales and England and coming off the bench against Scotland in a half-hour cameo that included a try almost instantaneously.

This tournament also saw Labeyrie score Les Bleus sixth try in their 72 - 21 demolition of England as the side recorded 31 tries across their three matches.

On the signing of Labeyrie, new Women's Director of Rugby Fraser Goatcher said: "We're thrilled to welcome Eneka to Leicester.

"She's demonstrated immense potential both on the domestic and international stage, where she's already operating at a high level across multiple positions.

"Already in conversations we've had we can see the energy and passion she has for the game and we know she's going to be a fan favourite at Tigers".

Alana Bainbridge, Clodagh Dunne and Nadine Vincent have re-signed with the club - all three play in each position of the front-row, at hooker, loosehead and tighthead respectively.

Bainbridge joined the club from Wasps ahead of the side’s inaugural season in Premiership Women’s Rugby, making 23 appearances in that time.

Dunne and Vincent, meanwhile, both joined during the 2024/25 season.

Dunne joined from Leinster Rugby in January 2025, where she will again compete in this summer’s All Ireland League before heading to Leicester for pre-season, having also represented her nation in Rugby League.

Vincent, meanwhile, joined Tigers after coming through the same Hartpury system that helped develop teammate Jordan Russell, making 15 appearances as a stalwart of last year’s side.