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Club legend in talks to replace Michael Cheika at Leicester Tigers

137 days ago

Leicester boss Michael Cheika (Photo by Patrick Khachfe/Getty Images)

With Michael Cheika looking increasingly likely to leave Leicester Tigers when his one-year deal expires at the end of the season, the club are taking steps to line up a successor.

Word has reached RugbyPass that Tigers legend Graham Rowntree has been interviewed for the job having been let go by Munster in October.

Rowntree was named Munster head coach in 2022 after joining the Irish province three years earlier as forwards coach.

The former England prop led the Irish province to the United Rugby Championship title – their first trophy in 12 years – in the first of his two seasons in charge.

Graham Rowntree has been ousted as the Munster coach (Photo by Shaun Roy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Should the Tigers appoint Rowntree, it would be a popular move amongst supporters and, hopefully, give the club some much-needed stability after years of coaching upheaval.

Famously a member of the front-row ABC Club, Rowntree made 398 appearances for Leicester in 17 years from 1990. He played in three Heineken Cup finals, and four Pilkington Cup finals and was a member of five championship-winning squads

Leicester are keen on keeping Cheika but seem resigned to losing him with the Australian keen to be reunited with his family.

Cheika has helped to turn things around at Welford Road following the failed reign of Dan McKellar. The Tigers are currently sitting fourth in the Gallagher Premiership table with six wins, a draw and three defeats from their opening 10 matches.

McKellar left the Tigers after only one season and if Cheika goes after a similarly short spell, the club face another rebuilding task. But at least with Rowntree, they have someone who already knows the club inside and out and would likely be in the job for the long run, as well as having a very good CV.

Rowntree cut his coaching teeth as an assistant at Leicester and Harlequins before enjoying a seven-year stint with England, for whom he played 54 times.

The 53-year-old former British and Irish Lions international also gained Test level experience at Rugby World Cup 2019 with Georgia before moving to Ireland.

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Comments

5 Comments

GS 136 days ago

Tigers got rid of our best coach COCKERS he new the club and our game, but yet again the board got it wrong. The they give Andrea control and what a nightmare that as been she even got rid of Rock bottom after them entertaining us for 21 years. I have supported Tigers for 53 years and never seen it as bad, at least having Graham Rowntree back would give us some stability which we definitely need.

Mark 137 days ago

The Tigers board are the absolute masters of shortermism, having let England poach Borthwick and his entire coaching staff, they then appointed cheika on a 1 season deal....unbelievable.

Talk about lions led by donkeys.

The main changes need to be made at boardroom level.

JW 136 days ago

it might not be anything to do with the Tigers board. Chieka might have wanted to keep himself available for Australia again if Joe decided to leave after next season.

AA 136 days ago

Better still.

What about a swap and have Borthwick back .

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 21 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 21 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 21 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 21 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 21 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 21 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 21 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍