Back to front Leeds bid

Former World Cup winner arrives as part of new set-up at Headingley

Last updated: 27th June 2008

Neil Back new coach at Leeds Carnegie

Back: Excited about new opportunity with Leeds

After meeting (chief executive) Gary Hetherington and seeing the set-up both at the club's training ground and at Leeds Met, I knew that Leeds Carnegie presented me with the ideal opportunity to further my coaching career

Neil Back
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Leeds Carnegie have turned to Andy Key and Neil Back to lead their attempts for an instant return to the Guinness Premiership.

The former Leicester duo, who have both signed three-year contracts, take over following the departure of Stuart Lancaster, who has become the Rugby Football Union's head of elite player development.

Key has come in as director of rugby at Headingley Carnegie with Back, 39, alongside him as head coach.

The World Cup winner has ended his long ties with the Tigers to help Leeds try and bounce back following their relegation last season.

Ideal opportunity

"After meeting (chief executive) Gary Hetherington and seeing the set-up both at the club's training ground and at Leeds Met, I knew that Leeds Carnegie presented me with the ideal opportunity to further my coaching career," he said.

"I have had some fantastic times at Leicester and it was a big decision to take myself out of the application process for the director of rugby position there and end my long association with the club.

"However, Andy and I are excited about coming to Leeds, starting on Monday, and getting down to work with the coaching staff and players to begin our preparations for the challenges ahead."

Despite a disappointing campaign that saw the club finish with just 12 points to their name, Key is confident that he can help turnaround results.

"Neil and I are massively excited by the challenge ahead," the 49-year-old said.

"We recognise the situation that the club finds itself in and we want to put Leeds Carnegie back in the Guinness Premiership next year.

"We both come from a background of success but we are not naive to the challenges that face us in National Division One.

"We are looking forward to the start of the season and we can see from last season that the club has real strength in its staff and playing squad that hopefully we can develop and bring our style to the club in the process."

Immediate start

Leeds Carnegie chief executive Hetherington confirmed the new coaching team would get straight down to work ahead of the start of the new season in National Division One.

He added: "It is the first time we have recruited our director of rugby from outside of the club since Phil Davies was appointed in 1996.

"Over the past 12 years, the club has changed remarkably and now the challenge for Andy and Neil is to take us forward to the next level.

"The first immediate aim is to return to the Guinness Premiership next season and both coaches will take charge of pre-season training on Monday to begin preparations for our National Division One campaign."