Back to Leeds

Leicester Tigers defensive coach Neil Back is set to leave the club and take up a similar post at Leeds Carnegie.

The 39-year-old was thought to be in the running to take over as first-team coach at Welford Road after the departure of Argentine tactician Marcelo Loffreda.

However, the 2003 World Cup winner has opted for a move to West Yorkshire and will take up his new position at the beginning of the new season.

Back says it was a tough call to move to a club in the second tier of English rugby but is relishing the chance of helping them back into the big time.

"I have had some fantastic times at Leicester and it was a big decision to take myself out of the application process for the director of rugby position at the Tigers and end my long association with the club," he said.

"However, I am excited about coming to Leeds Carnegie and joining the fight to regain our place in the Guinness Premiership.

"Every team will want to beat Leeds and plenty will believe that this is their year to try to gain promotion."

The Tigers are now expected to unveil Heyneke Meyer, who led the Blue Bulls to Super 14 glory last year, as their new head coach early next week.