Nottingham Rugby is delighted to announce the formalisation of a cooperation agreement with Premiership side Leicester Tigers.

The agreement will see the Premiership Rugby and Championship club linked through a unique performance partnership which includes cooperation on coaching resources, education and programme alignment, training and playing opportunities for players and pathway integration.

Tigers and Nottingham have enjoyed a long-standing, informal partnership for decades, with an impressive dual-alumni list of players to have represented both clubs including current players Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Calum Green and Joe Browning.

Speaking about the cooperation agreement, Leicester Tigers General Manager Leigh Jones said: “This is an exciting and unique partnership, which will see a healthy sharing of knowledge and practices across the clubs, at all levels, to the mutual benefit of Tigers and Nottingham.

“The East Midlands has a proud rugby history and both Leicester Tigers and Nottingham have contributed heavily to it, which can now continue in a more formal, coordinated manner moving forward.

“We will be aligning the rugby programmes of Tigers and Nottingham on and off the field in various ways, which will include the dual-registration of several players to get valuable game time in this season’s Championship.

“In addition, we’re going to be welcoming Craig Hammond into the Tigers environment weekly, working in Steve Borthwick’s coaching team and as a crucial link for the pathway programmes at both clubs.

“The agreement is the product of a lot of hard work during the summer months and we are pleased to be kicking it off now, ahead of the new season.”

Nottingham Rugby Chief Operating Officer, Steve Smith added: “Nottingham Rugby are pleased to be able to formalise our relationship with Leicester Tigers and continue to support the development of young players coming through the performance pathway structure.

“The coaching team are really looking forward to working with the Tigers players on a regular basis and we look forward to many of these players progressing into the Tigers Senior Squad in years to come.”