JUST DAYS AFTER being left out of what would have been his last game of a 16-year career, Geordan Murphy has today confirmed he will move straight into coaching next season.
The former Ireland fullback will remain with Leicester Tigers to act as assistant backs coach to Paul Burke who fills the void left by Matt O’Connor’s decision to replace Joe Schmidt at Leinster.
The duo will work under director of rugby Richard Cockerill as the Tigers bid to retain their Premiership title and return to the top table of European rugby.
“Geordan obviously knows Leicester Tigers very well,” Cockerill said in a statement today. “He knows and understands the game at the very highest level and has a wealth of experience and knowledge to pass on to others. He has enjoyed a very successful and lengthy playing career and we believe he can become a top-class coach.”
Cockerill expressed happiness at the continuity of the appointment, with a clear succession structure in front of Murphy as he simply fills the job which Burke has been promoted from.
“By bringing Paul [Burke] and Geordan together in the coaching team we have a degree of continuity which I feel is very important in our environment and we look forward to seeing their continued development in their new roles.”
Richard Blaze will be the fifth member of the coaching ticket, acting as assistant forwards coach.
