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.

“I would like to thank all the players, the staff and the supporters at the club and I wish the boys all the best for the future.”

Development coach Brett Deacon will expand his coaching role to include facilitating the lineout on an interim basis until a suitable full-time replacement is found.