Geoff Parling: Have Leicester Tigers found their long-term head coach?

Perhaps one of Parling’s greatest achievements, though, has been to bring largely unheard-of players to the fore.

Billy Searle has been a revelation at fly-half.

He was arguably brought in as third-choice at 10, but after some incredible performances, he has usurped James O’Connor and Orlando Bailey by playing an open brand of rugby, allied to a well-executed kicking game, and being near-perfect from the tee.

Although now injured, it was no surprise to see him named as players’ player of the year at Leicester’s in-house awards last week. He had a decent career before moving to the East Midlands, but had played for 10 clubs in 10 years on either side of the Channel.

Now he has found his home, it seems.

“I wanted to come to a team that was pushing to win things,” Searle told the Leicester Tigers Rugby Show podcast.

“I’ve had a few teams, but I’ve had some very good years and some tougher years, but when this opportunity came up, I jumped at it. I wanted to nail down that shirt.”

It’s not just Searle, though. You’d have had very long odds on Will Wand, previously only a Prem Rugby Cup regular, and the aforementioned Bailey as Leicester’s first-choice centre pairing last September. Both look like internationals at the moment.

Archie van der Flier and Joaquin Moro are two others nobody had heard of last year, but if Tigers make it to Twickenham, they will likely be part of the match-day 23.

Leicester’s cup-winning campaign brilliantly built their strength in depth, meaning the platform has been set for the future.

So have Leicester, previously an EastEnders storyline of a rugby club, found their man? It’s what Tigers fans and players have been crying out for, for over a decade.

“Every season we’ve been saying ‘new start, new era’ – but hopefully this is the Geoff Parling era for many years to come,” said CEO Andrea Pinchen.

“He is very dedicated, very detailed. But that consistency is very important.”

Parling has already achieved the minimum, a top-four place and a cup win. Now they face Bath, an age-old rival, to decide who will get a semi-final at home, possibly against each other. The loser might even come fourth, after the Tigers’ loss to Exeter last week opened up the top-four battle.

They may have to do without Searle and Steward – such vital players for their season. But they have previously responded well to defeats this season – another sign of Parling’s coaching ability.

“It has been a good season so far,” said Parling. “We’ll decide now whether it’s great. Let’s find out how we are on Saturday and go from there.”

The former Newcastle man added: “Bath have had some close losses recently; I think they’ll channel that and ramp up how they play.”

Challenges await Tigers next season, with the hugely influential attack coach Hewat and dedicated forwards coach Brett Deacon both leaving at the end of the year.

England lock George Martin and Wales prop Nicky Smith are among high-profile playing departures.

Plus, and I’ll say this quietly, Leicester fans, because it has happened before. Perhaps international sides might look at a successful club coach with Test match experience? After a World Cup next year, maybe?

But there is a sense at Mattioli Woods Welford Road that perhaps, finally, things might have calmed down. Maybe the dominant Tigers of old could return?

“I think there’s a very positive future ahead,” said Smith, who is moving to Sale next season.

“Leicester are always going to be up and around it, and beating them in the future is going to be an unbelievable challenge.

“Teams know they are going to have to play incredibly to get a sniff. I won’t be surprised if this group of boys are fighting for silverware for many years to come.”