Leicester Tigers confirm two new coaching appointments ahead of next season

Craig Childs and Rod Seib will join Geoff Parling’s coaching team, with Childs taking responsibility for defence and Seib leading the club’s attacking play.

Childs joins from the DHL Stormers in South Africa and brings a wealth of experience from his time in the game, including roles at Wynberg Boys' High School and with the University of Cape Town’s Ikey Tigers.

On coming to Leicester Tigers, he said: “It feels incredible - the Tigers have such a significant history in the Premiership and in Europe, so to join them is exciting.”

“There is a real energy around what Geoff, the staff and the players have created, and I look forward to adding to that next season.”

“Before I make the move to Leicester in the summer, I am fully focused on my work with the DHL Stormers, but I wish the best of luck to the Tigers for the rest of the PREM season."

Geoff Parling said: "After speaking to multiple players and coaches about Craig, and meeting him when we played in Cape Town, I’m sure he’ll have a positive impact at Tigers.

"He comes from a very good DHL Stormers set-up, is hungry to come across and work in the PREM and knows that everyone at Leicester must show a real appetite to defend and get the ball back. Welcome to him, Genevieve and their daughter Olivia."

Seib arrives from Connacht in the URC and has previously coached an Australia XV as well as the ACT Brumbies.

On making the move to Leicester, Seib said, "I recognise the responsibility of taking on this role with Tigers. They're a fiercely competitive club and they're highly regarded within world rugby. I'm hugely looking forward to be able to positively impact the team."

On his relationship with Geoff Parling, "I've known Geoff for a number of years. We coached against each other in Super Rugby and then at one point we were coaching together for an Australian 'A' team."

"The role that Geoff discussed with me was hugely appealing and the opportunity to work with him again I thought would be a positive move for me."

To conclude, he added, "I'm looking forward to joining Tigers in the summer, but there's lots of rugby to be played before then. My full focus is on Connacht where we face a big end to the season, whilst Tigers do in the PREM. I wish them the best of luck for that."

Geoff Parling said: "We’re excited to welcome Rod to Tigers; he’s an excellent coach who will add real value to what we do. I worked with him at Australia 'A' where I saw someone who brought detail, innovation and was excellent at improving the individual - all traits that are essential to what we are building at Tigers.

"We look forward to having him and his wife Kylie with us and seeing how he can advance our attack in the future."

"We are an environment that drives players to get better every day, and I have no doubt that Rod and Craig will add to this."