New coach: Aaron Mauger named Leicester Tigers head coach

The 33-year-old spent three seasons with the Tigers before calling time on his playing days back in 2010 and will return to the club before the start of the next campaign.

Mauger is currently employed as assistant coach of Crusaders in his homeland, but he will head to England after the 2015 Super 15 season ends in order to take up a the role at Welford Road.

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill, who will work alongside the new incumbent, is backing the former All Black, who was capped 45 times by his country, to make a big impact in the coaching set-up at the 2013 Premiership champions.

He told the club's official website: "Aaron played at the highest level with club and country, and he has an excellent knowledge of the game and impressive ideas on how he wants to see it played.

"He made a very valuable input during his time here as a player and has developed as a coach during his time back in New Zealand.

"We have been looking for the right person to take on a very important job and help to take us forward as the game is always evolving. Aaron will be a real asset to this club as head coach with our coaching team."

Mauger played his part in the Tigers' Premiership title victory in the 2009/10 campaign is relishing the opportunity to spend a second spell at the club.

He said: "I have awesome memories of my time at Leicester as a player and it is a place I will very happily return to.

"I feel incredibly lucky to have the chance to do that as head coach for the club and the timing is right for me to grab that opportunity."