‘Rocky’ to help women prepare for life in Premier 15s

WORLD Cup-winning prop Rochelle Clark has been named among Leicester Tigers new coaches for the women’s team ahead of next season, writes Bobby Bridge.

Clark, known as “Rocky”, won a record 137 caps for England during her playing career and appeared in four World Cups, winning the 2014 tournament.

She joins the club from Buckinghamshire County, where she is head coach for the women’s team.

Previously, she was forwards coach at Saracens, helping them to the Premier 15s title.

Tigers’ new scrum coach, right, said: “I’m really excited at the prospect of coaching alongside the team at Tigers, as well as the development of the playing group as they transition into a Premier 15s side.

“The league is a big unknown to many in the team but that’s exciting, I’m looking forward to them pushing themselves and helping the younger players to realise their potential but also pushing my own skills as a coach.”

Tigers have also appointed Tom

Hudson as senior coach and Luke Stratford as forwards coach.

Hudson will join Tigers from his current roles as head coach at Ampthill Rugby in the Championship and club lead coach at Cheltenham

Tigers, a role that encompasses both the men’s and women’s teams. The 28-year-old Newcastle-born coach has also spent time coaching Tigers’ overseas partnership club KL Tigers in Kuala Lumpur.

Having made his start in rugby through the Tigers academy, Hudson moved to Gloucester where he began his coaching journey with the Cheltenham Tigers women’s team. Hudson, who is making his return after 10 years away, said: “I’m very excited to come back to Leicester as a coach. I have such fond memories of being a player for the academy and I’ll be eternally grateful to Leicester for launching my career as a player.

“I was never able to fulfil my duties as a Tiger due to a career ending injury at the time but I’m so happy to get another opportunity to represent this incredible organisation.”

Stratford joins the club as forwards coach for the women’s side, having previously been head coach at Longlevens RFC, as well as a rugby coach at Hartbury University. He also has experience as forwards coach at Cirencester RFC.

The 28-year-old was previously a hooker for Championship side Jersey Reds, a side he played through the age-grades for and where he made his senior rugby debut and Hartpury University.

He said: “The club has such a storied history across domestic competitions and Europe and I hope we can live up to that reputation with the women’s team.

“We’ve got a young side at Tigers and I’m looking forward to aiding them in their development over the next few years.”

Head of Women’s Rugby at Tigers, Vicky Macqueen, said: “I’m ecstatic to have secured established coaches with such esteemed reputation in the women’s game and excited to see how they can aid the wider squad in their development and push them to that elite level.

“As well as those names I’ve just mentioned, we’re delighted to also say that defence coach Steve Hanna and strength and conditioning lead Lewis Knight will be continuing in their roles with the team.

“They were vital parts of the success we enjoyed last season and I know both myself and the wider squad appreciate everything they do.”