Leicester bring in ex-Wallaby to complete coaching team

Incoming Leicester Tigers head coach Dan McKellar has confirmed his coaching team heading into next season, brining in three new coaches.

With former head coach Steve Borthwick and assistant Kevin Sinfield leaving at the end of 2022 to join England, the Tigers have seen further departures at the end of this season with interim head coach Richard Wigglesworth, head of physical performance Aled Walters and scrum coach Tom Harrison teaming up with Borthwick. As a result, there is a void to fill at Welford Road.

While Brett Deacon and Matt Everard will remain as assistant coaches, Alan Dickens, Dan Palmer and Ollie Richardson will all join McKellar ahead of next season.

Former England under-20 coach Dickens will take charge of the attack and backs, Richardson will replace Walters as head of physical performance and former Australia prop Palmer will replace Harrison as scrum coach. Palmer has already worked with McKellar with the Brumbies, and had been working as a lineout coach with the Wallabies.

Now that his coaching team is established, Dan McKellar said: “I am excited by the group we have put together, which has a great balance of continuity and new voices who will bring fresh ideas.”

“It was important to me that there was a mix of people who not only understand the Premiership, but vital that they understand Leicester Tigers and we have got that in Brett Deacon, Matt Everard and Matt Smith, as well as the majority of our performance staff who remain with the club.

“In addition, to have Alan Dickens and Ollie Richardson’s knowledge of the English game, players and competitions we compete in is of great value, and Dan Palmer’s expertise is very exciting for the club moving forward.

“What is most pleasing for me is that this coaching team are excited by the squad we have to work with from next season at Leicester Tigers, because of where they are at currently and work they have done but, importantly, how it can evolve.”