EXCLUSIVE: Leicester Tigers snap up top rugby scout

Having made an encouraging start to the Premiership season, Leicester Tigers have moved to bolster their off-field staff with the addition of Dusty Hare in a part-time scouting role.

Hare, 64, was a legendary figure at the club in the 70’s and 80’s, amassing nearly 400 appearances for the East Midlands side, before finally hanging up his boots in 1989. He also earned 25 England caps and toured with the British and Irish Lions during his illustrious playing career, as well as holding the England scoring record for a time, with a tally of 240 points.

When rugby union turned professional in the 90’s, it didn’t take long for Hare to return to the game and in 2001 he rejoined Leicester to work in their academy, overseeing the rises of Jim Hamilton, Harry Ellis, Dan Cole and Tom Croft to name but a few, before also assuming the mantle of Leicester’s chief scout.

He left the club in 2010 to join local rivals Northampton Saints, where he took on a similar dual player development and scouting role, as he helped the club’s academy flourish and produce a number of the players that have played key roles in England’s recent successes at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

Northampton announced earlier this season that Hare would be leaving his role with the club at the end of September, with academy coach Simon Sinclair stepping up to fill the void.

This has left Hare free to return to the club where he made his name as a player and coach/scout, with Tigers seeking to gain an edge on and off the field in an increasingly competitive Premiership.

Hare brings with him not only an affinity for the club, but also a vast wealth of rugby knowledge that can only help Leicester as they look not only to compete with the best in England and Europe this season, but also to build a squad that can challenge for trophies for years to come.