The recent performance of Leicester Tigers has been less than satisfactory, however, the team’s prospects appear promising under the guidance of their head coach, Dan McKellar, who is still adjusting to his role.
Following a disappointing loss in the Premiership, the Tigers introduced new membership packages and launched a campaign featuring prominent figures from the past and present, in an effort to encourage fans to “embrace the past and inspire the future”. This initiative, known as ‘Tigers Together’, comes at a pivotal time for the club as it navigates a period of transition, straddling the past, present, and future.
For a club with a storied history and strong track record, finishing in eighth place in the league is undoubtedly disappointing. However, given the recent resurgence of the Tigers in the Premiership after a few challenging seasons, expectations are higher than ever. Despite the less than ideal conclusion to the 2023/24 campaign, there is optimism for a brighter future.
Head coach Dan McKellar is still in the midst of his first season in English rugby, tasked with revitalizing a coaching team that had been depleted by the Rugby Football Union. With several senior coaches departing for international roles, McKellar had to navigate the season with an interim coaching staff, compounding the challenges he faced.
The impact of limited coaching resources was further exacerbated by the absence of key players due to international commitments. The absence of promising talents such as Ollie Chessum and George Martin for a significant portion of the season undoubtedly affected the Tigers’ performance.
The team faced difficulties in various aspects of their game, particularly in their attack and strength and conditioning. The absence of the attack coach and concerns about strength and conditioning have been subjects of scrutiny. Despite these challenges, there have been moments of excellence, with the team securing victories over top-ranked opponents and delivering commendable performances in challenging circumstances.
Recognizing the mitigating circumstances, it is evident that this season has been arduous for the Tigers. However, it is clear that head coach Dan McKellar has shown resilience in the face of adversity and deserves the opportunity to lead the team through a full pre-season with a complete coaching staff. An equitable and compassionate assessment at the end of the 2024/25 season would be more fitting, considering the circumstances. Leicester Tigers stand united in their pursuit of a brighter future under McKellar’s leadership.