Done deal.

Leicester Tigers have appointed former Australia, Argentina, and Leinster boss Michael Cheika as their new head coach following the exit of Dan McKellar.

McKellar departed the Premiership giants by mutual consent at the weekend and will be replaced by fellow Australian Cheika, who left his role at Argentina after leading the Pumas to fourth place at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.

Cheika coached Leinster Rugby to European glory back in 2009 with the Irish side beating Leicester in the final, while he also led the Waratahs to Super Rugby glory in 2014.

He has coached at three World Cups, making the final with Australia in 2015, and will take over immediately.

“Honestly, I wasn’t looking at the Premiership and didn’t have the desire to coach in it until Leicester Tigers came to me. But, the opportunity to coach at Tigers and lead this group of players turned my head,” Cheika said.

“I want this to be my best coaching yet. I want the preparation and the way we lead the team to be at my best level. If I can bring my best level, other people will bring their best level and good things will start to happen around us.

“Everybody can see that it is a top-quality roster the club has. I am not going to lie and say I know every single one of them down to their bones but that’s what I will do over the next few months, to learn how to get the best out of them.”