Cheika and Cotter both in running for Leicester job

Michael Cheika and Vern Cotter have emerged as leading candidates to take on Steve Borthwick’s former role at Leicester Tigers. Telegraph Sport understands both men, who have extensive experience of European club and international rugby, are on a narrowing shortlist, with Cheika becoming a more likely proposition.

The Premiership champions are intent on landing a significant appointment and have money following the Rugby Football Union’s acquisition of their leading coaches.

On the day it was confirmed that Richard Wigglesworth, the interim head coach of Tigers, and Aled Walters, their head of performance, would be following Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield to England, the club announced they were “nearing the conclusion of the interview stage”.

Leicester could yet lose another coach to England. Richard Cockerill will be leaving Borthwick’s setup at the end of the Six Nations to join Montpellier as forwards coach and Tom Harrison, the highly rated scrum coach at Tigers, is a potential replacement. It is understood that he visited Pennyhill Park last week.

Cotter, the former Clermont, Scotland and Montpellier head coach, took charge of Fiji in 2020 but resigned last week. The timing of the 61-year-old’s exit would make him attractive to Leicester because the World Cup would not stop him from overseeing pre-season this summer.

Whether Cheika would be able to do the same is unclear, as he is head coach of Argentina. However, the well-travelled Australian has juggled jobs before – notably last autumn with the Pumas and Lebanon’s rugby league side.

Andrea Pinchen, the Leicester chief executive, said yesterday the club were “not interested in having a transition period”.