The news of George Martin’s departure to Saracens will bring mixed emotions at Leicester Tigers.
Many at Welford Road thought he could become the club’s modern-day Martin Johnson – a bruising, no-nonsense lock who cut his teeth in Melton Mowbray.
Instead, Martin developed into a weighty asset on Leicester’s accounts, spending more time in the medical room than in the No4 jersey that could have become his own.
Saracens have offered the 24-year-old a new leaf and a new pay day, convincing him to move to North London to form a potentially devastating second-row partnership with Maro Itoje.
While many would have loved to see Martin deliver the sort of display he put out against the Springboks at the World Cup, luck has not always been on his side in the East Midlands.
Injuries will dictate how much of an impression Martin leaves in Leicester before his departure but the club were keen to announce the news early and move on.
Leicester Tigers have secured Emeka Ilione’s future on a new deal, Daily Mail Sport can reveal
It somewhat soothes the pain of losing George Martin, who will join Saracens in the summer
Leicester are a club in transition but the early stages of the Geoff Parling era have been positive.
One of the key figures in the club’s evolution will be versatile forward Emeka Ilione, who Daily Mail Sport understands has signed a new contract that will be announced imminently.
Ilione, 23, was on track to make his England debut during the autumn until he suffered a shoulder injury in the final round before the squad gathered at Pennyhill Park.
‘Emeka’s performances in the second half of last season were exceptional. Most of them were off the bench finishing games and he had a big impact,’ said England coach Steve Borthwick last month.
‘This season he’s continued that, including his ability at No 8. You would all sit here and go, “He is fantastic over the ball”. I’ll add a slight nuance to that – he’s fantastic over the ball, stealing ball and not conceding penalties.
‘He’s the best I can see at stealing the ball and doing it in a way that means the referee rewards him and doesn’t give penalties against him, which is terrific. That’s hugely valuable.
‘He also has a powerful carry, particularly a tight carry through tight defences. Most back-row forwards will carry a little bit wider, he’ll carry tight. I refer you to the Premiership final, the carry he made in the opposition 22 carrying through traffic.’
In 2026, it is likely Ilione will be spending more time as a starter than a finisher in Tigers colours.
His comeback is scheduled for January and he offers game-changing moments that can lead him towards the club-hero status that once seemed like Martin’s destiny.