Statement: Leicester Tigers confirm manager has left the club

Leicester Tigers have confirmed that General Manager Leigh Jones will depart the club in the summer.

Jones joined Tigers in May 2021 from the Hong Kong Rugby Union, where served as National Coach Development Manager and Head Coach before leading the defence and breakdown for the Japanese national team at the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He then returned to Hong Kong as Head of High Performance before taking on the role as General Manager of Rugby.

Prior to his tenure at HKRU, he held senior coaching roles with Ebbw Vale, Newport, Newport Gwent Dragons and the Welsh Rugby Union senior team, including leading the Wales ‘A’ programme under Sir Graham Henry.

Jones was the first to hold the role of General Manager at the club, which included responsibility for the off-field performance of Leicester Tigers, including overseeing the Oval Park facility, operational processes and procedures at the training ground, and driving the cultural and performance standards at all levels of the rugby programme, including the academy and senior squads.

In his time at the club, the senior squad were crowned Gallagher Premiership Champions at the conclusion of his first season, reached the quarter-finals of the Heineken Champions Cup in successive campaigns and fell one game short of back-to-back Premiership Finals.

Meanwhile, the academy programme completed a third-place finish in this season’s Premiership Under-18 League.

Speaking about his time at the club, Jones said: “It has been an interesting and enjoyable two years, transitioning back to the UK from Hong Kong into, what was, a new format for me personally in a competition of the Premiership’s standing.”

“It’s been a pleasure and privilege to work with some great staff, players and coaches at Leicester Tigers, helping to establish what I now believe to be a truly integrated and harmonious training platform from which players and coaches can maximise potential.

“While the work that you do goes largely un-noticed, it proves very important in the daily running of the rugby platform in respect of both the ‘here and now’ and also having a keen eye on the future; introducing and maximising systems, structures and player pathways to safeguard the future of the club.

“It has been a great thrill to work closely with the coaching team, many of whom are world class operators, to advise, mentor and simply offer an opinion, when needed.

Speaking further on his tenure, he added: “The results over the two year period have been pleasing; the pinnacle, winning the Gallagher Premiership in 2022, while also reaching the knockout stages of the Premiership and European Champions Cup in two successive seasons.”

England have three options to replace Steve Borthwick in case of World Cup disaster

Steve Borthwick has had to face tough questions already during his short reign as England’s preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup continues.

A troubling run of form leading up to the World Cup could spell the end if the them en in white don’t come up with the goods at the tournament proper.

RUCK takes you through three coaches who could be sought out if Borthwick is given his marching orders after leading the nation to France…

Rob Baxter

Rob Baxter, who guided the Devon-based club from the Championship to European champions in 10 years has done this largely with a core of players that have come through the academy at Exeter.

With this season’s club performance not at the level of previous years, it may be time for him to move on and into the Test game in the near futuree.

Although Baxter joined the England coaching team for the summer tour to Argentina and Uruguay in March 2013, he has no experience outside of Exeter. “I would be happy to have a chat about what the role is, how they see it working and what their plans and ambitions are,” Baxter said of the England job back in December.

“Unless you know what it is, it’s hard to say yes or no to anything. At the same time, I’m not looking for another job! I’m very happy here,” he added.

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