Tigers Hope For Healey

Healey, out since Heineken Cup Round 4 match against Beziers on 14 December, 2002 with an achilles problem, was expected to be in the Tigers 22 for their clash with Sale Sharks this weekend, and to have been in contention for a spot in the squad when the defending champions' play their Heineken Cup quarter-final with Munster on April 12.

But in a freak accident, his participation is now in jeopardy.

Healey slipped from a ladder whilst pretending to rescue a cat in a Tigers team-building exercise.

Leicester coach Dean Richards said: "Austin fell from a ladder during a team building exercise we hold every year when the players get back from Six Nations camps. He has damaged his foot, we are unsure if he will be fit to play in the Munster game.

'You couldn't make it up,' said Healey.

'Just when I get my Achilles 100% right I fall off a ladder from roof height, pretending to be a fireman trying to save a cat.'

"It wasn't a real cat," added Richards.

And Leicester are resigned to new international threequarter Ollie Smith missing the repeat of last season's final with the shoulder damage suffered against Newcastle Falcons and joining hugely influential flanker Lewis Moody (shoulder) on their casualty list.