Leicester Tigers scrum coach follows Dan McKellar out the door

Leicester Tigers scrum coach Dan Palmer has left the club just days after head coach Dan McKellar was sacked.

Palmer joined McKellar's coaching staff after the World Cup last year following his commitments with the Wallabies, having previously worked with McKellar at the Brumbies.

The former Wallaby handed in his resignation shortly after McKellar left Welford Road, saying he was unable to commit to the role fully.

Academy forwards coach Neil Fowkes will take on the role of scrum coach in the interim, with preseason starting on July 1.

The Tigers have, meanwhile, said that the hunt for a new head coach is ongoing.

A Leicester statement reads: "Leicester Tigers can confirm the club has accepted the resignation of Dan Palmer from his role as scrum coach.

"He joined Tigers in late October of last year, following his commitments with Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"Palmer submitted his resignation after confirmation of the mutual agreement with Dan McKellar to end his tenure as head coach at the club, citing that he was unable to commit to the role fully moving forward into the new season.

"In the interim, with the pre-season programme commencing on Monday (July 1), Neil Fowkes – the club’s senior ccademy forwards coach – will take on the responsibilities of scrum coach for the senior men’s squad.

"Fowkes joined Tigers ahead of last season after stints with Championship clubs Ealing Trailfinders (forwards coach) and Nottingham Rugby (head coach and forwards coach), as well as two years as scrum coach with former Gallagher Premiership club Wasps from 2020-22.

"All other assistant coaches and performance staff, as announced earlier this month, have commenced work on the 24/25 season.

"The process for appointing a new head coach is ongoing, with an announcement to be made ahead of the playing group’s return on July 1."