Craig Newby joins Leicester Tigers coaching staff

Leicester Tigers can confirm the addition of Craig Newby to Geoff Parling’s first-team coaching staff ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Newby arrives in the role of Forwards Skills Coach, as he combines the role with his Head Coach role at Cambridge.

The 47 year old will be well-known to Tigers fans and his new colleagues. Parling, Newby, Matt Smith and Anthony Allen were teammates during their playing days at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and all four appeared in the matchday squad for the 2010 PREM final victory over Saracens.

Head Coach Parling commented, “Newbs will be with us in combination with his role at Cambridge, assisting with forwards skills.” 

“He’s a great person to have in the building, he loves the club, and has experience from a range of environments. He will help us drive the club forward and up-skill our players to make sure they make the most of what they have.”

On joining former teammate Parling's coaching staff, Newby added, "I know he's got a real clear plan, and everyone's got their own area to go and go after it. Trust is really important. Knowing someone's got your back when chips are down, or when things are going well, you're going to be honest and tell each other what you think."

And on what he would bring to the club, the Kiwi added: "probably an honesty and a hard edge around standards and expectations. Sharing that with players in small conversations and not cutting corners."