Hipkiss weighing up options

Hipkiss: Options

England centre Dan Hipkiss has confirmed he could leave Leicester at the end of the season for a fresh challenge.

The 28-year-old still has a year to run on his current deal but Bath are rumoured to be among the suitors monitoring the situation.

And with Mathew Tait set to arrive at Welford Road in the summer, Hipkiss is in talks with Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill about his future.

Hipkiss, who scored the winning try in last season's Premiership final against Saracens, told the Leicester Mercury: "You want to stay at one club for most of your career but, at some stage, you realise that there is another world out there.

"I have been at the club for a long while but there are a few options around and I will look at a few things.

"For now, I just want to get back playing for Leicester. I love doing that and hope to play against Bath next week."

Cockerill admitted talks with Hipkiss were ongoing, although he confirmed the centre would not be leaving before the end of the season.

"He may move on at the end of the year. Nothing is set in concrete, we will see how that pans out," he added.

"There are lots of rumours about Danny but he will certainly be here until the end of the season and he is fully committed to that."