Aviva Premiership
Leicester in talks with Henry
ESPNscrum Staff
November 30, 2011
Graham Henry tells the media he's stepping down as All Blacks head coach, New Zealand press conference, Auckland University RFC, Auckland, New Zealand, November 1, 2011
Graham Henry is a man in demand after guiding the All Blacks to World Cup glory © Getty Images
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The Leicester Tigers are in talks with former All Blacks coach Graham Henry about a potential consultancy role at the club.

Tigers executive director Peter Wheeler has already met with Henry - who coached the Barbarians alongside Steve Hansen last Saturday - in a bid to persuade the World Cup-winning coach to Welford Road. It is reported that the meeting was set-up by current Tigers boss Richard Cockerill who believes a man of Henry's experience would be beneficial to the side.

"Mr Wheeler spoke to him over breakfast in London some time last week," Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury. "It was instigated by myself to see what Graham was doing. I am still learning this game and have always wanted to work under an experienced head coach and learn.

"With what happened with Marcelo Loffreda and Heyneke Meyer, I have never been able to work under an experienced head coach for any length of time. If someone like Graham was available and I could use him at some point in the future as a sounding board, and pick his brains on things, I would be a fool not to do that. As part of my professional development, it would not be a bad thing to talk to someone of his quality and have him come in and see what we do.

"He would not coach the side but could advise me, speak to me and mentor me, if that is the right word. He has a lot of experience and it would be a shame for that to go to waste."

Henry has already spoken of his desire to become involved with a Heineken Cup club in a consultancy and non-coaching role and Cockerill believes they will face stiff competition to persuade the 65-year-old to Leicester. "He will have lots of offers and it depends if it fits in with what we are doing as well," Cockerill said. "It's no more than a possibility.

"But if I can catch up with him for a week or so, he can come here to see what we do here and we can chew the fat. I see that as a big positive."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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