Pat Howard is to return to Leicester Tigers as a mentor to the coaching team and support staff at the Oval Park training base. 

Alongside the appointment of Jan McGinity as head of elite performance recruitment and a new role for Ged Glynn as head of performance pathway and talent identification, Howard will be based at the club in a part-time capacity while also maintaining constant communication with the senior management team.

A European Cup winner with the club as a player, Howard also led Tigers to a league and cup double in 2006/07 as head coach. He returned at the end of the 2018/19 season, using his experience to provide support and mentorship for current head coach Geordan Murphy and the backroom team.

Alongside his experience in rugby, Howard was until recently head of team performance at Cricket Australia.

Tigers chairman Peter Tom CBE said: “Pat understands the club very well and, alongside his personal experience of the transition from playing into coaching at the top level, he has worked in elite environments in two sports and his involvement will provide valuable support for Geordan and the coaching team here.

“He visited us at the end of last season and his new role is an extension of that, allowing him to identifying areas where the club can continue to develop in terms of infrastructure, culture and personnel.”