Young: Signed for Leicester

The Tigers have announced Worcester lock Graham Kitchener and Newcastle duo Micky Young and Kieran Brookes, who are all currently part of the England Saxons Churchill Cup squad, have joined the club.

Kitchener, 21, has long been earmarked as a future England second row and his decision to move on from the Warriors after helping them secure promotion will strengthen the east Midlands side in an area where they were badly hit by injury last term.

Scrum-half Young and prop Brookes have both won plaudits as part of a Falcons side who have flirted dangerously close to relegation in recent seasons, with the former set to prove a valuable acquisition with Tigers' England star Ben Youngs set to miss large parts of next season while on World Cup and Six Nations duty.

Director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "We're delighted to be able to add such promising young talent to our squad. We hope they all enjoy a successful Churchill Cup this summer and we look forward to them joining us in time for the build-up to the new season.

"We've brought a number of young players through to our first-team squad in the last couple of seasons and we think these three have the potential to develop well within our environment.

"It is important for this club to retain a strong, young English core to the squad and we have an excellent record in that regard."