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Blast from the past back at ailing Leicester to mentor Geordan Murphy
By Online Editors
Ex-Bath boss Mike Ford won’t be the only advisor in Geordan Murphy’s ear next season. The Leicester coach will also be tapping into the knowledge of former Tigers great Pat Howard in an effort to revive the ailing fortunes of the Welford Road club.
Rookie head coach Murphy was handed the reins in dramatic fashion last season, taking charge on an interim basis following the sacking of Matt O’Connor following a horrible first-day defeat at Exeter.
Despite going on to be given the job on a full-time basis over the winter, Murphy struggled to consistently improve results and they were in the throes of a Gallagher Premiership relegation battle when Ford was brought on board to help out at the end of March.
Leicester eventually secured their Premiership status, their 11th place finish just enough to steer clear of relegated Newcastle.
However, while Ford is staying on to continue to assist Murphy at a club that was put up for sale on Tuesday with a retail value of £60million, Mirror Sport have revealed that former boss Howard will also be helping out.
“Pat is going to be coming in to help Geordan and help make sure the changes he proposed go through and improve things on the pitch,” said Tigers chairman Peter Tom.
“He’s going to come in a week a month to mentor Geordie. Mike Ford is staying as well. He did a great job for us towards the end of last season.”
Howard was initially involved in what was described as a hard-hitting review towards the end of last season, a campaign that went into the history books as the famed club’s worst in the professional era.
It was 2007 when Howard guided Leicester to Premiership glory, the same season they finished beaten finalists in the Heineken European Cup. After finishing with rugby, he went on to forge a career with Cricket Australia that came to an end last year following the ball-tampering controversy.
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The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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