Leicester statement: The immediate effect exit of Dan McKellar

Former Australia assistant coach Dan McKellar has been removed from his position as Leicester Tigers head coach after just a single season in England. The 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership champions embarked on an extensive recruitment search after it was announced in December 2022 that Steve Borthwick was moving on to take charge of the English national team.

Interim boss Richard Wigglesworth soon stated that he would not seek to become Borthwick’s successor, instead deciding to join the Borthwick Test team ticket as an assistant. That paved the way for Leicester to bring in McKellar last summer but his appointment hasn’t worked out.

The Tigers finished eighth in the Premiership after winning just nine of their 18 matches, were beaten by Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16, and they also lost the Premiership Rugby Cup final against Gloucester.

The timing McKellar's exit will raise eyebrows, though. It was just nine days ago that Leicester claimed their coaching staff was complete for next season following the appointments of new assistants Peter Hewat and Matt Parr, but it has now emerged that it Tigers and McKellar have gone their separate ways.

A statement read: “Leicester Tigers can confirm the departure of Dan McKellar from his role as head coach with immediate effect. The decision has been mutually agreed following extensive discussions regarding the club’s future direction.

“McKellar joined Tigers in July 2023 from the Wallabies – where he was assistant coach for the Australian national side – and oversaw 30 games at Tigers, in all competitions, during the 2023/24 campaign.

“The club has commenced the process for finding a new head coach to lead the men’s programme into the 24/25 season. Pre-season training for the men’s players not on international duty commences on July 1 at Oval Park.

"We thank Dan for his contribution to Leicester Tigers and wish him, Carla, Amelie and Maya well for the future.”