Tigers’ promotion for Cockerill and O’Connor
RICHARD COCKERILL has been rewarded for leading Leicester to back-to-back Premiership titles by being promoted to the role of director of rugby at Welford Road.
Since taking over as head coach from Heyneke Meyer in 2009, the former England international has guided the Tigers to successive domestic titles and the 2009 Heineken Cup final.
Now, he has agreed a new deal to become director of rugby with former Australia international Matt O’Connor moving up to head coach.
“Leicester Tigers is a unique club where so many people work very hard to get the team into positions to compete for major honours.
“This is one of those special jobs in the world of sport and I feel privileged to be in this position.”
Centre O’Connor added: “Leicester Tigers stands right at the top of world rugby in terms of reputation and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working here with a great squad of players and I’m very excited about the future.”