Leicester Tigers have announced that former Leinster and Queensland Reds coach Matt O’Connor will be taking over the reins at Welford Road from April 2017, subject to him being given a work visa. O’Connor will replace former All Black Aaron Mauger, who is said to be devastated at the club’s decision to show him the door. This weekend’s game against Northampton will be Mauger’s last as Tigers coach and the news of O’Connor’s appointment comes just a day after Tigers beat Saints to claim the Anglo-Welsh Cup, their first piece of silverware in four years.

This will be O’Connor’s second stint at Tigers, having worked at Welford Road under Richard Cockerill previously. The Tigers won the Premiership in 2009, 2010 and 2013 during his first stint.