Leicester Tigers Coach Quits Role

Richard Blaze has resigned from his position as Leicester Tigers forwards coach for personal reasons.

After starting his playing career with Moseley and Worcester Warriors, second-rower Blaze joined Tigers as a second-row forward in 2007 before moving into coaching.

Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said:

“Richard has been an integral part of the environment for a long time for such a young man.

“He has worked extremely hard in a coaching capacity, he is a student of the game and has a real attention to the detail in his work.

“We’re sorry to lose him and we wish him well for the future.”

A Premiership finalist with Tigers in 2008 and an England squad member after success with England Saxons, Blaze was forced into retirement by a foot injury at the age of 25 and after just 24 first-team appearances. He stayed at the club to begin his coaching career, initially as an assistant, before becoming forwards coach.

Blaze said:

“I have had an amazing 10 years with the Tigers but for personal reasons I am now standing down as a coach here. I retired early as a player but I’ve spent seven seasons as a coach and learned such a lot.