The Crusaders have confirmed Leicester Fainga’anuku will return to the franchise for the 2026 season on a two-year contract.
The 24-year-old, who departed for France last year, was a star of the Crusaders back line since his 2019 Super Rugby season debut.
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At the end of the 2022 season, he was joint top tryscorer in the competition with fellow Crusaders Sevu Reece and Will Jordan.
The 24-year-old scored 13 tries in 13 appearances in the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific, and was crowned the top tryscorer and played a big part in securing a seventh straight Super Rugby title.
He signed an 18-month contract with Toulon at the tail end of the 2023 season and has just started his second season in France’s Top 14 competition.
“We’re of course excited to have Leicester come back into the fold here at the Crusaders for the 2026 season,” said Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge.
“He’s an outstanding young man who has continued to show what a remarkable athlete he is during his time in Europe.
“It was wonderful to connect with him when he joined us to watch the Crusaders play Munster in January and it felt like he hadn’t left.”
Crusaders head coach Rob Penney said the move was “fantastic news for rugby in New Zealand”.
“Leicester is a huge asset to any team he is a part of, so to have him back in Christchurch is really positive,” Penney said.
“He has plenty of years left to play at the top level, and we’re all very pleased he’s chosen to return to the Crusaders."
Fainga’anuku is expected to resume his time behind the green fences of Rugby Park from January 2026.
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