Leicester Tigers have appointed Australian Dan McKellar as their head coach for the 2023-24 season.
The 46-year-old former ACT Brumbies boss stepped down as Australia forwards coach on Wednesday to take the role.
He joins the Premiership champions on a “long-term” deal as the permanent replacement for Steve Borthwick, who left for the England job in December.
McKellar says it “has been a big decision” to leave the Wallabies before the World Cup for the Tigers job.
“The Tigers DNA is built around a combative style of rugby, with a strong set-piece and defence, and that is something that I felt aligned strongly with myself,” he told the Premiership club’s website.
“I see a squad of players at Leicester Tigers that I believe can evolve, can grow and have areas that I can add value to and help develop individuals to improve the team as a whole.
“It is important to me that the Leicester Tigers side I lead is one that represents what the club is about and what it stands for.”
McKellar, who was head coach of Australian Super Rugby side Brumbies between 2018 and 2022, follows a similar path to Borthwick to the job at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Borthwick left Eddie Jones’ England coaching staff for the the Leicester post in 2020, with McKellar leaving a similar role under his fellow Australian – who is now in charge of the Wallabies.
Tigers are currently in the hands of former England scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth, who ended his playing career at the age of 39 to replace Borthwick on an interim basis.
However, Wigglesworth is set to leave at the end of the season to reunite with Borthwick in the England set-up.
More to follow.