Richard Cockerill, a one-time England hooker and coach, has stepped down from his role as the head coach for both Georgia and Black Lion, effective immediately.
Cockerill, set to reach his 55th birthday tomorrow, took the helm of the Georgian team at the start of the Rugby Europe Men’s Championship 2024, succeeding Levan Maisashvili.
As head coach, he secured victories in two-thirds of his 21 games and guided the Lelos to consecutive Rugby Europe Championship crowns, which also secured their spot in the Rugby World Cup 2027.
Nevertheless, all 14 of his wins came against teams that Georgia was widely anticipated to defeat, and the inability to overcome a major opponent caused increasing discontent within the organization.
Cockerill pointed to a divergence in views with Davit Kacharava, the President of the Georgia Rugby Union, as a fundamental reason for his departure.
He stated, “I extend my gratitude to the Georgian Rugby Union for the privilege of serving as head coach for the Georgian national team and the ‘Black Lions’ franchise over two years. Ioseb Tkemaladze, the previous president of the Georgian Rugby Union, extended the invitation to me, and I personally thank him for this chance.”
“In April 2025, Davit Kacharava assumed the presidency of the Georgian Football Federation. His perspective on the progression of the Georgian national team differs, and I respect his judgment. I personally wish him and his colleagues good fortune in their upcoming ventures.”
“I am proud of the period I spent as the Georgian national team’s head coach. I established a firm basis for the team’s prospects and am handing it over in a more advantageous state than it was previously.
He further added, “Georgia is an exceptional nation boasting a remarkable culture and welcoming, cordial inhabitants. I acquired distinct experiences in rugby and in life,” declared Richard Cockerill.
The Georgian Rugby Union expressed appreciation to Cockerill for his contributions and extended their best wishes for his future endeavors.
Cockerill, whose career has been steeped in rugby, is currently available and possesses an extensive and diverse professional background.
He served a year within the England organization as an assistant coach under Eddie Jones and temporarily led the men’s national team as interim head coach in December 2022, prior to Steve Borthwick’s appointment.
Cockerill dedicated 23 years to Leicester, initially as a player and subsequently as a coach, before assuming head coaching roles at Toulon, Edinburgh, and Montpellier.
He earned 27 international appearances as a hooker for England between 1997 and 1999.
