Michael Cheika spoke to reporters today for the first time since Geoff Parling was confirmed as head coach of Leicester Tigers ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Appearing alongside the also departing Dan Kelly, the duo confirmed that Leicester Tigers will be handed over in great shape, with Kelly noting that he will be watching as a fan next season, while Cheika confirmed that he will be on hand to offer support and advice to any of his former players.
Former England centre, Dan Kelly will also exit Tigers at the end of the season as he heads to Munster on a two-year deal – a move he will thrive in, says Cheika.
“He’s so diligent around the way he prepares for games. His input into games, he’s got good communication skills. Going into a different environment, he will settle in quickly because he’s an easy-going person,” the head coach said.
“He’s played a lot of games here, so it’s a move that’s going to be different, but good for him.
“It doesn’t mean that he may not come back here one day, either. He may come back with other experiences. I know he loves playing here at Leicester, but because he’s young, he can go away and get these experiences, learn a different type of footy, learn under a different coaching regime. There’s a Kiwi guy [Clayton McMillan] going down there [Munster] now, so that’ll give him something different to learn and take in.
“He’s going to be successful no matter what he does or where he goes, because he’s a good man, which is usually the precursor character to how you lay on the field.”
Speaking about the selection challenges he’s faced over the past year, Kelly said: “It’s been mentally tough and I’ve not experienced before what I’ve experienced this year. I’m a good teammate and a good person especially around the lads. I wouldn’t be that person to drag the team down.
“If I’m not selected one week, then I’m training to be better. I want to get better myself because this year’s not the end and hopefully I’ve got many more years in my career.”
Discussing how his impressive form at times has made it difficult for Cheika to drop him, Kelly said: “I’ve definitely made it hard for Michael [Cheika], and he’s made it hard for me, it definitely goes both ways. It’s been tough, somedays I don’t like him because he’s not picked me, other days I do like him because he has picked me.
“He’s been pretty consistent to be honest, he’s told me where I need to get better and as a coach he has to make difficult decisions. Honesty is the key in that case and that’s what’s been good across the board.”
In terms of that honesty, Kelly held nothing back as he explained his reasoning for leaving, stating that he was not offered a deal to stay on, and thus, he needed to move on.
“I didn’t get offered a deal, that’s how it is, that’s sport,” he said bluntly.
“They’ve made a decision on that and that’s fine. I had to look down another avenue as they told me very early. Sports is a tough world. Woody’s [Joe Woodward] played a lot more minutes this year and he’s been absolutely brilliant and taken his opportunity well so fair play [to him].
“I just want to finish on a high and give our fans something to cheer about.”
Looking to the club’s future, Kelly had some positive words to say about the speedsters out wide.
“Hassell-Collins has been unbelievable this season,” the 23-year-old said when asked about the wingers.
“We take the mick because Radders [Adam Radwan] has come in and stolen his spotlight and scored four tries in a week. But, it’s a great partnership, they get on like a house on fire.
“We’re normally known as a strong set-piece based side, so to see wingers get on the scoreboard is fantastic.”
Replacing arguably one of the greatest ever English wingers was never going to be easy, but Leicester appear to have done just that with the signing of Adam Radwan. He’s had a terrific start to his Leicester career, one that’s not gone unnoticed by his teammates.
“We miss Anthony Watson dearly, he’s a great bloke and a great rugby player. But Radwan has fit into his spot superbly. I can’t speak highly enough of him, he’s got genuine pace and you can’t buy that.
“He’s been really good, slotted into the environment so well, it’s almost like he’s been here from the start, it’s good to have Radders on board.”
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