Rumour mill in overdrive as ex-All Black linked with Leicester

Leicester Tigers are reported to have a shortlist of two – former All Blacks star, Leon MacDonald and Graham Rowntree – to replace Michael Cheika when his contract with the club runs out at the end of the season.

The respected Australian outlet The Roar is reporting that MacDonald, 47, who is a consultant at the Super Rugby franchise, the Western Force, is Rowntree’s main competition for the club.

The whispers that have been growing stronger all week are that Rowntree, who has been looking for a job since parting company with URC outfit Munster earlier in the season, could be announced as their man before Easter.

The Tigers have been looking for a new boss since Cheika, who replaced fellow countryman Dan McKellar, announced at the end of January that he wouldn’t be taking up the option of a contract for a second year.

They failed to land their number one target, Paul Gustard, who is staying in France with Stade Francais after they baulked on paying compensation for the first year of his contract with the Top 14 outfit.

Veteran Australian Scott Johnson, who was in the running to become the new WRU director of rugby, Glasgow Warriors boss Franco Smith and Newcastle Falcons Steve Diamond have all been spoken to. But it now appears to be a straight showdown between MacDonald and club legend Rowntree.

MacDonald, 47, started his coaching career with Tasman before moving to the Crusaders as an assistant. He then had four seasons as the Blues’ head coach before a five-game stint as part of Scott Robertson’s new-look All Blacks coaching team. However, a difference of opinion meant his time with the All Blacks was short-lived.

The former Test fullback joined the Western Force earlier in the year and had been touted as a strong candidate to eventually replace new Wallabies coach in waiting Les Kiss at the Queensland Reds when he stands down.