Leicester Tigers have appointed Richard Wigglesworth as interim head coach as Steve Borthwick departs the club to take over as England head coach.
Leicester have agreed terms with the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which sees Borthwick and his assistant Kevin Sinfield leave Welford Road for Twickenham.
Wigglesworth ends playing career
The appointment as Leicester Tigers‘ interim head coach means that scrum-half Wigglesworth brings his illustrious playing career to an end.
He made more than 500 senior appearances, including 33 Test matches for England and a record 322 Premiership games over stints with Sale Sharks, Saracens and Leicester during a professional career spanning more than 20 years.
He made his professional debut for Sale Sharks back in 2002 and won the Premiership on seven occasions, the first with Saracens coming in 2010. He also won three Champions Cup titles at the London club. The last of his seven Premiership triumphs came with Tigers last season.
He made 43 appearances for Leicester over two-and-a-half seasons and scored four tries.
Steve Borthwick’s Leicester Tigers record
Borthwick left Eddie Jones’ England coaching staff in 2020 to head up the Tigers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During his first half-season at the club, he reached the Challenge Cup semi-final and finished 11th overall in the Premiership, having coached the side in just 10 matches.
In his first full season in charge, Leicester finished sixth overall on the Premiership table and reached the final of the Challenge Cup, falling to Montpellier.
Leicester reached the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup in his third season in charge and went on a remarkable run in the Premiership. They topped the table from round one right until the end of the regular season and were crowned champions for the first time in almost a decade after defeating Saracens in the final.
He was awarded the Director of Rugby Award at The Premiership Rugby Awards night.
He oversaw 14 games during the 2022/23 season, the last of which being a Champions Cup win over Clermont.
During his tenure, 73 players have made their Leicester Tigers senior debut and nine players have debuted in senior men’s Test rugby.
Wigglesworth excited for what lies ahead
“There is so much to be excited about for what is to come for this great group of players, coaches and staff at Leicester Tigers,” Wigglesworth said of his appointment as interim head coach and retirement from playing.
“The decision to retire from playing was not easy. I have given absolutely everything to my playing career and loved every minute of being a professional rugby player.
“My family have given everything too and I, quite literally, could not have achieved what I have without them.
“I would not have taken on the head coach role of Leicester Tigers if I did not believe there was a group of players and coaches who are committed to being successful and, with those at this club, that cannot be questioned.
“I am grateful to Steve and Kev for what they have taught me, how they have challenged me and the friendship I have with both. Myself and Leicester Tigers are better for having worked with them.
“While it’s a bittersweet day, there is no time to dwell on anything.
Departing Borthwick’s message of thanks
Speaking about his time at Leicester Tigers, Borthwick said: “Thank you to the players and support team for the hard work and commitment and thank you to the Leicester Tigers fans for their wonderful support of the team and me.”
“I will always be a Leicester Tigers fan, always have a great connection to and love for this club after these past two years here.
“Mattioli Woods Welford Road is a special place, like no other, and I look forward to returning as a fan.”
Click Here: sligo gaa jerseys