Stormers coach heads to Leicester Tigers
TRANSFER NEWS: The PREM club Leicester Tigers have confirmed the signing of a Stormers coach ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Craig Childs will join Geoff Parling’s staff from the Stormers and will fulfill the role as defence coach at the English club.
Aside from being in the Stormers’ set-up, Childs spent many years in rugby at Wynberg Boys’ High School and the University of Cape Town’s Ikey Tigers.
On coming to Leicester Tigers, he said: “It feels incredible – the Tigers have such a significant history in the Premiership and in Europe, so to join them is exciting.”
“There is a real energy around what Geoff, the staff and the players have created, and I look forward to adding to that next season.”
“Before I make the move to Leicester in the summer, I am fully focused on my work with the Stormers, but I wish the best of luck to the Tigers for the rest of the PREM season.”
Commenting on the Childs aquistions, Parling said: “After speaking to multiple players and coaches about Craig, and meeting him when we played in Cape Town, I’m sure he’ll have a positive impact at Tigers.
“He comes from a very good Stormers set-up, is hungry to come across and work in the PREM and knows that everyone at Leicester must show a real appetite to defend and get the ball back. Welcome to him, Genevieve and their daughter Olivia.”
The other figure to join the PREM side is Rod Seib.
He will be join the PREM side form from Connacht in the URC, whilst he has also coached an Australia XV and the Brumbies.
On making the move to Leicester, Seib said, “I recognise the responsibility of taking on this role with Tigers. They’re a fiercely competitive club and they’re highly regarded within world rugby. I’m hugely looking forward to be able to positively impact the team.”
On his relationship with Parling, “I’ve known Geoff for a number of years. We coached against each other in Super Rugby and then at one point we were coaching together for an Australian ‘A’ team.”
“The role that Geoff discussed with me was hugely appealing and the opportunity to work with him again I thought would be a positive move for me.”
To conclude, he added, “I’m looking forward to joining Tigers in the summer, but there’s lots of rugby to be played before then. My full focus is on Connacht where we face a big end to the season, whilst Tigers do in the PREM. I wish them the best of luck for that.”
