Bid to keep Tuilagi is boosted by Blake

LEICESTER will step up their attempt to re-sign Manu Tuilagi after meeting the first half of their new year challenge by appointing a defence coach.

Phil Blake, who spent a season at the club in

2014 then left shortly before a six-month ban from rugby for a breach of RFU betting rules, has returned to

Welford Road.

The London-born Australian, who watched Tigers pull away from the relegation dogfight with a thumping 34-16 win over Gloucester on Saturday, is initially appointed until the end of the season.

Leicester head coach Geordan Murphy had been under growing pressure to sort out the Premiership’s leakiest defence – one that has shipped 355 points in 12 games.

Asked about Blake, he said: “We know him pretty well, we’re pretty comfortable with him. Someone like Phil can add a bit of attitude to our defence.”

Blake, 55, cut his teeth in rugby league before turning to coaching and becoming a popular addition to Leicester’s coaching staff under former director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Even after being fined and banned for placing eight separate bets on two Tigers games while he was coaching at the club first time round, he retained the support of his then employers.

And England’s biggest club will hope having a former Australia defence coach working to make them watertight will improve their chances of persuading star man

Tuilagi to stay.

Murphy is convinced the 27-year-old’s heart

“is in a Tigers shirt” but admits the England centre, whose contract expires in the summer, can make more money elsewhere.

“If that is what Manu wants it is something we could not compete with,” said Murphy. “But I do not think it is all about that. Manu cares about this club and really enjoys being from Leicestershire.”

One transfer deal which did go through yesterday saw Jake Cooper-Woolley agree to join Steve Diamond’s everimproving Sale.

The Wasps tight-head has signed a three-year deal and will leave Coventry for Manchester this summer. Chris Pennell, one of rugby’s great one-club men, has extended his stay at Worcester for another two years. The 31-year-old full-back won his only England cap against New Zealand in 2014 but has amassed more than 200 senior appearances for Warriors since 2007. Pennell said: “I have been here a long time and the body is feeling really good. I am still enjoying my rugby and I still feel that I am learning a lot.”

The Ospreys have confirmed that Wales lock Adam Beard’s scans were clear after he suffered a neck injury on Saturday. A statement said: “Adam’s recovery is going well and he will continue to be monitored in the coming days, with confirmation of his potential availability to be confirmed later in the week.” Beard was hurt in the first minute of his side’s Guinness Pro14 clash against Cardiff Blues at the Liberty Stadium.

He has won eight international caps and was one of Wales’ success stories during this season’s autumn Tests. Wales won all four of their November games for the first time, and 23-year-old Beard started in the victories over Australia, Tonga and South Africa.

Wales kick off their Six Nations campaign against France in Paris on February 1.