Richard Cockerill May Have A New Job Already And It’s A Surprising One

Leicester this week sacked director of rugby Richard Cockerill, with head coach Aaron Mauger taking “interim charge” at Welford Road.

The Tigers have dropped out of the Aviva Premiership’s play-off berths after consecutive defeats to Exeter and Saracens, following closely from the record 38-0 European defeat at the hands of Munster.

Former England hooker Cockerill has coached at Leicester since 2004 and took the full reins as rugby director in 2010. Leicester’s 16-12 defeat to Saracens at Welford Road on New Year’s Day proved the final straw for the Tigers board, who have moved swiftly to unseat their former front-rower.

Cockerill however may not be out of work for long with England boss Eddie Jones revealing he is open to the idea of adding the former Leicester man to his coaching set-up with the national side.

Jones sympathises with Cockerill and his axing and said he would “never close the door”.

“I have a massive amount of sympathy for Richard Cockerill,” Jones told BBC Sport.

“He is a great rugby guy, a great player for Leicester, has been a very successful director of rugby and coach.

“You don’t like to see that happen to anyone but the reality of being a coach is that everyone goes through that and I am sure he will end up somewhere else.

“It has been a discussion point for the Leicester players. They are disappointed for Richard but know they have to get on with the job.

“We are very well endowed with the forwards coaches we have at the moment so we can always look at the possibility of that [getting Cockerill].”