Leicester Tigers add Petrus du Plessis to senior coaching team

Leicester Tigers have announced the addition of Petrus du Plessis to the coaching panel ahead of the new season.

The 42-year-old will take the role of scrum coach on an interim basis until the arrival of Dan Palmer, who joins the club following the end of the Rugby World Cup where he is part of the Wallabies backroom staff.

Du Plessis had already played for Saracens, London Irish and Glasgow Warriors while also representing St Helens, Orrell, Sedgley Park and Nottingham in a playing career that spanned for 20 years.

Du Plessis, who is also a qualified physiotherapist and graduated from the University of Salford in 2008 spent his last two seasons in Scotland before retiring in 2020 - including a final season as player/coach.

“Our scrum is an integral part of what we do and, with Dan [Palmer] arriving after the World Cup, we felt it was important to have that specific focus on it during this period," said head coach Dan McKellar to the club's official website.

“To have been able to appoint someone with the experience of Petrus for that was an added bonus and too good an opportunity not to take up for the club and our players.

“I have worked with Petrus over the past few years in Australia and know the energy and enthusiasm he brings, as well as the effort he puts into his work. I am glad we’re able to have that here at Leicester Tigers in the interim.”