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Richard Wigglesworth tipped to take over at Leicester Tigers
By Ian Cameron
With news breaking this morning that Steve Borthwick will be confirmed as England’s new head coach on Monday, it raises the immediate question of who will take over at Leicester Tigers.
It's widely expected that define Kevin Sinfield will join Borthwick in the move to Twickenham, with the RFU set to clarify the situation on Monday.
While Borthwick's appointment was the worst-kept secret in rugby, the rumour mill around who will take over the reins at Welford Road has been a little quieter.
Some had drawn links between Leinster head coach and former Tigers second-row Leo Cullen, but the Irishman has dismissed links this week in the Irish media.
One source RugbyPass spoke to believes the most likely next step for Leicester is to appoint Richard Wigglesworth as interim coach. The evergreen 39-year-old is currently a player-coach at the Gallagher Premiership champions; in charge of attack as well as featuring on the pitch.
Speculation earlier this month had the RFU wanting Wigglesworth to come across with Borthwick, but it now appears that both Wigglesworth and highly rated S&C specialist Aled Walters will be staying put.
Former England scrum-half Wigglesworth was the first player in Gallagher Premiership history to surpass 300 appearances.
Born in Blackpool, he rose through the ranks of the Sale Sharks junior system before making his professional debut in 2002 and represented England at Under-18, 19 and 21 age group levels.
A six-time Premiership Rugby and three-time European Champions Cup winner, Wigglesworth made his Test debut in 2008 against Italy in Rome and made a total of 33 appearances for England, his last coming against Australia at Twickenham in 2018.
He joined Tigers in 2020 and earlier this year was promoted to a duel playing/attack coach role by Borthwick.
While he is very much in the early stages of his coaching career, he has already enjoyed spells in coaching with Canada and Ealing Trailfinders.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
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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