Richard Wigglesworth tipped to take over at Leicester Tigers

With news breaking this morning that Steve Borthwick will be confirmed as England’s new head coach on Monday, it raises the immediate question of who will take over at Leicester Tigers.

It’s widely expected that define Kevin Sinfield will join Borthwick in the move to Twickenham, with the RFU set to clarify the situation on Monday.

While Borthwick’s appointment was the worst-kept secret in rugby, the rumour mill around who will take over the reins at Welford Road has been a little quieter.

Some had drawn links between Leinster head coach and former Tigers second-row Leo Cullen, but the Irishman has dismissed links this week in the Irish media.

One source RugbyPass spoke to believes the most likely next step for Leicester is to appoint Richard Wigglesworth as interim coach. The evergreen 39-year-old is currently a player-coach at the Gallagher Premiership champions;  in charge of attack as well as featuring on the pitch.

Speculation earlier this month had the RFU wanting Wigglesworth to come across with Borthwick, but it now appears that both Wigglesworth and highly rated S&C specialist Aled Walters will be staying put.

Former England scrum-half Wigglesworth was the first player in Gallagher Premiership history to surpass 300 appearances.

Born in Blackpool, he rose through the ranks of the Sale Sharks junior system before making his professional debut in 2002 and represented England at Under-18, 19 and 21 age group levels.

A six-time Premiership Rugby and three-time European Champions Cup winner, Wigglesworth made his Test debut in 2008 against Italy in Rome and made a total of 33 appearances for England,  his last coming against Australia at Twickenham in 2018.

He joined Tigers in 2020 and earlier this year was promoted to a duel playing/attack coach role by Borthwick.

While he is very much in the early stages of his coaching career, he has already enjoyed spells in coaching with Canada and Ealing Trailfinders.