Leicester turn to Geoff Parling as head coach after hunt for Cheika’s successor

Geoff Parling will remain as an assistant coach with Australia for the series against the British and Irish Lions before taking up his first head coach position. Photograph: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Geoff Parling has been appointed as Leicester’s new head coach, bringing an end to a drawn out recruitment process to find Michael Cheika’s successor. Parling is currently employed as the Australia assistant coach but will return to Welford Road after this summer’s British & Irish Lions tour.

The former second-row Parling, 41, spent six years at Leicester and will be a popular appointment among the Tigers faithful. Paul Gustard, Graham Rowntree, Leon MacDonald and Stuart Lancaster were heavily linked with the role but Leicester finally landed on Parling, who has agreed a long-term contract.