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Leicester Tigers scrum coach follows Dan McKellar out the door


LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Leicester Tigers scrum-coach Dan Palmer looks on during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
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Leicester Tigers scrum coach Dan Palmer has left the club just days after head coach Dan McKellar was sacked.

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Palmer joined McKellar’s coaching staff after the World Cup last year following his commitments with the Wallabies, having previously worked with McKellar at the Brumbies.

The former Wallaby handed in his resignation shortly after McKellar left Welford Road, saying he was unable to commit to the role fully.

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Academy forwards coach Neil Fowkes will take on the role of scrum coach in the interim, with preseason starting on July 1.

The Tigers have, meanwhile, said that the hunt for a new head coach is ongoing.

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A Leicester statement reads: “Leicester Tigers can confirm the club has accepted the resignation of Dan Palmer from his role as scrum coach.

“He joined Tigers in late October of last year, following his commitments with Australia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“Palmer submitted his resignation after confirmation of the mutual agreement with Dan McKellar to end his tenure as head coach at the club, citing that he was unable to commit to the role fully moving forward into the new season.

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“In the interim, with the pre-season programme commencing on Monday (July 1), Neil Fowkes – the club’s senior ccademy forwards coach – will take on the responsibilities of scrum coach for the senior men’s squad.

“Fowkes joined Tigers ahead of last season after stints with Championship clubs Ealing Trailfinders (forwards coach) and Nottingham Rugby (head coach and forwards coach), as well as two years as scrum coach with former Gallagher Premiership club Wasps from 2020-22.

“All other assistant coaches and performance staff, as announced earlier this month, have commenced work on the 24/25 season.

“The process for appointing a new head coach is ongoing, with an announcement to be made ahead of the playing group’s return on July 1.”

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NoLongerARuck 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

The Six Nations produced so many compelling games and so much of action packed moments that you can only conclude that its the best international comp out there at the moment except for a world cup. If Wales improve it will be even better especially given the strides Italy have made in recent times. The Rugby Championship is now taking a hiatus in a year it really should be building toward something better which is terrible considering the competition was so tight last year. The Nations Champs promises much but one gets the feeling that the 6 Nations teams will not be at their peak given its at the end of their long season. In terms of rugby quality and entertainment Id rather watch the 6 Nations over everything else other than a world cup right now. The North arguably offers more in terms of entertainment than the South at club level as well. The Prem, the Champs Cup, URC and Top 14 all feature plenty of scoring and different playing styles while Super Rugby seems to be the same thing game in game out. While the South tries to speed up the game artificially with new trials and law variations the North has shown you can do it with good refereeing which penalises cynical play harshly and encourages positive actions on the field. In terms of entertainment the North wins. In terms of winning? They are making strides but until they win another world cup or get a team to rank number 1 again for an extended time again they cant really say they are better than the South.

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