Leicester Tigers have appointed Alan Dickens to the role of Attack and Backs Coach from next season.
Dickens joins Dan McKellar’s coaching team from England Rugby, where he was the lead coach in the Under-20s programme for the past four seasons.
Prior to joining England, he spent nine seasons as part of the coaching team at Northampton Saints which included roles with the club’s academy programme, attack and defence duties and was Interim Head Coach for the latter part of the 2017/18 campaign.
Dickens also worked as Defence Coach for England Saxons in 2016.
Prior to moving into coaching, he spent a decade as a professional player and represented Sale Sharks, Leeds Tykes, Saracens and Saints.
Discussing the appointment of Dickens, incoming Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “Alan is a hugely experienced coach with a great knowledge of the Premiership and European rugby, which will be of great value to our coaching team.”
“He also has the unique experience and understanding of a lot of our players, having worked closely with them throughout their England junior careers, and the way in which to get the very best from young players in the game.
“I have enjoyed the conversations we have had already about how we can evolve our game at Leicester Tigers and am excited to get to work with Alan next month ahead of the 23/24 season.”
Speaking about his appointment ahead of next season, Dickens said: “Leicester Tigers is a quality club and always have been, forever and a day. To have the chance to join this club now, at this exciting time under Dan, is an opportunity I am looking forward to.”
“I have had an association with a lot of the players in the squad from my time with England and know well just how much quality is in this squad, who I enjoyed working with in the past and am excited about working in the future alongside the rest of the players.
“This group of players are a hard-working group, everyone can see that, and it is certainly a squad that I am pleased to be able to help improve.
“The conversations with Dan have been great; he is clear in terms of how we wants to improve the side, what he wants to see in the attack and how he wants the side to play and I am looking forward to working with him and the coaching team on that.”
