Deacon back at Leicester

Brett Deacon: Returns for a second spell at Welford Road

Former Leicester back-row Brett Deacon has returned to Welford Road after a two-year spell at Gloucester.

Deacon arrives as an injury dispensation signing, with Tom Croft and Craig Newby both out with long-term injuries.

The Tigers have also signed Australian scrum-half Pat Phibbs on a four-month contract.

Phibbs - who played for Exeter Chiefs last season - will provide cover at No 9 with Ben Youngs out injured.

Tigers boss Richard Cockerill told the club's website: "Brett has done well for Gloucester during the past couple of years and he already knows the environment well at Leicester.

"We have had some injury issues in the back row with Craig Newby and Tom Croft out, and Jordan Crane coming back from long-term injury.

"Brett has played more than 100 first-class games and can come in and fit in where we need him to because he has plenty of experience.

"At scrum-half, Ben Youngs is out after shoulder surgery and Scott Steele has not done any pre-season because of the injury he picked up at the end of last season.

"He will not play until the end of August so we need to have a bit of an insurance policy at scrum-half. Pat is that person and will be here for four months".

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