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Rugby Union

Loffreda appointed Tigers coach

25/04/2007

Current Argentina head coach Marcelo Loffreda will take over at Leicester Tigers after the end of the Pumas' 2007 World Cup campaign.

The 47-year-old will take over from Pat Howard, who is returning to Australia at the end of this season.

Loffreda has been in charge of the Argentinean national team for seven years and has guided the Pumas into the upper echelons of the rugby union world rankings.

During the autumn internationals last year, the South Americans beat England at Twickenham and are currently ranked sixth – one place above the world champions.

"Marcelo has done a marvellous job in taking Argentina to the top ranks of the international game," said Tigers chairman Peter Tom.

"I have been impressed by his thoughts on the game, his approach to coaching and his ideas on how to take Leicester Tigers forward.

"We look forward to the fresh input from Marcelo as well as the continued development of the existing staff and players at the club."

Loffreda described the opportunity to coach at Welford Road as "an honour not only for me but also for the people who love rugby in Argentina".

"Leicester is a club with a wonderful history and has supporters who are passionate about 'their' club," he said.

"I know there is also a squad of players with a hunger and drive to be the best. There are some exciting times ahead for us all at Tigers."

Forwards coach Richard Cockerill will take charge of the first-team through pre-season training and for the start of the 2007/08 term until Loffreda is able to take over.

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