Leicester Tigers are pleased to announce the additions of Anthony Allen and Mike Forshaw to the men’s coaching team.
The pair will join Geoff Parling’s staff as assistant coaches for his first season in charge at the club.
Brett Deacon, Neil Fowkes, and Peter Hewat will continue in their roles as part of the men’s coaching team under Parling, while Alex Davies will take on a revised role, working club-wide, as kicking coach.
ANTHONY ALLEN
Allen, 38, returns to the club where he made more than 120 appearances and contributed to two Premiership title-winning campaigns.
After retiring, due to injury, at only 28 years of age, Allen moved straight into coaching with the Tigers Academy. After two seasons as an Assistant Coach he became Head Coach of the U18 side and led a group including the likes of Freddie Steward, Jack van Poortvliet, and George Martin to back-to-back titles.
He worked as part of the senior team coaching group in the 2018/19 season before taking up a role with Coventry Rugby. Allen spent two years with the Championship club, while also working as a coach at Loughborough University, and then moved to Cambridge. He has also worked as a Rugby Consultant with Quantum Sport and Oundle School.
On joining Parling’s coaching team, Allen said: “It is going to be great to be back involved at Leicester Tigers and I am looking forward to seeing what I can do to help the club and how I can influence, on both sides of the ball, what we do as a team.”
“It has been good for me to have been away, experience new environments and challenges at different organisations and be able to come back with those valuable lessons to add to the coaching room.
“What is also exciting is being able to work with guys I coached in their younger years, who are now senior players and in leadership roles in the squad, and getting the chance to contribute again to their journeys and development as players and people.”
Head Coach Parling added: “Tone was the first person I thought of when I was looking at the coaching team.”
“He has a smart eye for the game, can build rapport with players, and most importantly has great character and is someone I trust.”
MIKE FORSHAW
Forshaw, 55, joins Tigers after three seasons with the Welsh national team.
Well-known to the Premiership, he spent a decade at Sale Sharks and, prior to that, was a member of the Connacht Rugby coaching team for three years.
Before working in rugby union, Forshaw held performance roles with the Rugby Football League, Warrington Wolves, and Wigan Warriors.
A decorated rugby league player, he represented the Warriors, Wakefield Trinity, Leeds Rhinos, Bradford Bulls, and Wolves in a career that included more than 350 senior appearances. Forshaw also represented Great Britain and England.
He had a brief stint in rugby union, for Saracens in 1995, before returning to rugby league.
On joining Parling’s coaching team, Forshaw said: “After moving on from Wales, I wanted to find the right fit for me and that is definitely Leicester Tigers. I wouldn’t class myself as a journeyman coach; I like to make an impact wherever I go and help build something over a period of time.”
“I think the DNA of the club, around working hard for one another and being physical, really suits me.
“It is an exciting time for the club, with Geoff taking over, and it is great to be able to be a part of that.”
Head Coach Parling added: “I’ve never worked with Forsh but everyone I spoke to had positive things to say about him as a coach and him as a person.”
“Leicester teams are built on great defences so I’m delighted to get someone of Forsh’s standing at Tigers.”
25/26 MEN’S COACHING TEAM
Head Coach: Geoff Parling
Assistant Coaches: Anthony Allen, Brett Deacon, Mike Forshaw, Neil Fowkes, Peter Hewat
Head of Athletic Performance: Matt Parr
Head of Performance Analysis: Matt Egan
