Leicester Tiger's four man shortlist to replace departing coaches

He left the club on December 19th to take over as England's head coach, with Richard Wigglesworth serving as interim coach until the end of the season.

Borthwick has helped to compile a shortlist of potential permanent replacements, and Chief Executive Andrea Pinchen stated, "Who better to ask than Steve Borthwick? I am not the rugby brain of this organization, but I've got this rugby brain like Steve, so why wouldn't I try to make the most of that.

"I asked if he would be willing, not to choose his successor, but to be part of a process where I could put names in front of him to get his opinion on their coaching ability and references if he has worked with them before.

"It was really key for me to make sure that I got as much information as I can. He was extremely helpful and said yes immediately. He wants to leave Leicester in a good position."

Pinchen added: ‘That final decision has not yet been made. We’ve spoken to a number of people. We’re still in motion with our plan. I’m not putting a time-frame on it because what I need to make sure we get it right.’

Asked about any further approaches from the RFU, she added: ‘I’ve had absolutely nothing. It was initially about Steve (Borthwick), then it became about Steve and Kev (Sinfield), and they’re the only conversations I had with the RFU.’

Currently in temporary charge, the Premiership's record appearance holder will be hoping he can make a positive impression between now and the end of the season.

According to The Rugby Paper, Wigglesworth will be given time by the Tigers to prove that he can fill the boots of Steve Borthwick permanently after being handed temporary control of first-team affairs.

Wigglesworth has won seven titles, including starting at scrum-half in the 21/22 final, and is the only player in league history to make more than 300 appearances in the English competition. 

In addition to seven Premierships, he has won three European Champions Cups.

Wigglesworth previously represented Sale Sharks and Saracens, as well as making 33 Test appearances for England which included back-to-back Rugby World Cup campaigns in 2011 and 2015.

Ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Wigglesworth was appointed to the Canada national team's staff. 

During his penultimate and final season as a player with Saracens, Wigglesworth balanced his playing role with coaching duties with Championship club Ealing Trailfinders.

Sources have told Sportsmail that Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is set to take charge after the World Cup. 

He took on the position of Scotland Head Coach in the summer of 2017 after five seasons at the helm of Glasgow Warriors.

The Gala man made an immediate impact at the Scotstoun club, leading the side into the Play-Offs in his first season (2012/13) before reaching the PRO12 Final in 2014, ultimately losing to Leinster.

In 2015, however, Townsend led Glasgow to title success, defeating Munster 31-13 to lift the Guinness PRO12 trophy, before enjoying another first in his final year, when the club reached the knockout rounds of the European Champions Cup for the first time.

Townsend was named Guinness PRO12 Coach of the Year twice during his time in the west of the Scotland, a club he joined from his position as Assistant Coach to the Andy Robinson with the naitonal team (2009-2012).

Another name mentioned is Leicester legend Richards.

Richards played as a number eight for Leicester Tigers from 1982 to 1997, during which he appeared in 314 games.

He served as captain when Leicester won the 1994-95 Courage League, the 1997 Pilkington Cup, the inaugural English league title in 1987-88, and the 1993 Pilkington Cup.

After retiring from playing in 1998, Richards was appointed as Leicester Director of Rugby. Under his leadership, Leicester won the Premiership Rugby title in his first four seasons and also the Heineken Cup in 2001 and 2002, becoming the first team to retain the trophy.

He then spent one year as head coach of FC Grenoble in France's Top 16. From 2005 to 2009, he coached Harlequins and led them to victory in the second division in 2006, and also to a second-place finish in the Premiership in 2009. However, Richards was banned from coaching for three years following the Bloodgate scandal.

Once his ban was over, he was appointed head coach of Newcastle Falcons, and led the team to another second-division title in 2013.

The Rugby Paper reported that Leicester Tigers are interested in acquiring defensive coach Mouneimne from Exeter Chiefs.

Mouneimne joined Exeter last June from Bristol, and it is believed that he would be filling the vacancy left by Kevin Sinfield, who has joined Borthwick with the England team.

With over 15 years’ experience, the South African has previously worked at club level with the Stormers, Kings and Sharks in South Africa, Edinburgh in Scotland, Stade Francais in France, as well as Worcester Warriors and Bristol Bears in England.

He also enjoyed two seasons working at Test level with the Italian national team between 2009 and 2011.