Coventry Rugby has today announced that Anthony Allen will join the club as defence coach.

A highly-regarded centre during a playing career which included more than 200 Premiership appearances for Gloucester and Leicester as well as international recognition with England, Allen has been establishing his coaching credentials since his retirement from playing in 2015.

As academy head coach, Allen has guided Leicester to back-to-back Premiership Rugby Under-18 League titles and was part of the England Under-20 coaching team in 2017/18 when the team reached the final of the World Rugby Championship.

He has also experienced coaching at the highest level as part of Geordan Murphy’s coaching team this season.

“I am really looking forward to joining Coventry and the challenge of coaching in the Championship,” said Allen.

“It is an exciting time to be joining the club and it is a great opportunity to play a part in the club’s ambitious plans."

Coventry director of rugby Rowland Winter is delighted that Allen has agreed to join the backroom team, adding: “Anthony was a highly respected player and has been proving himself as a coach at Welford Road over the past few years. He will focus on defence, but will work alongside Nick Walshe and Louis Deacon to strengthen all areas. We’re delighted to have someone with his experience and knowledge joining us.”