What awaits ex-Leeds Carnegie coach Neil Back at Rugby Lions

At Headingley Carnegie, the man capped 66 times by England was unable to stave off the threat of relegation to the Championship after relative success in his first two years at the club alongside Andy Key. Having walked away from his head coach position in May, Back now finds himself emersed in totally new surroundings with the Warwickshire outfit. Currently plying their trade in National Three Midlands, Rugby Lions are a club backed by wealthy businessman Michael Aland whose vision is for the club to gain Premiership status. Back has signed a five-year contract with the Lions in the hope that he will be the man to help realise that dream. It is a move that comes as a surprise to many pundits and experts that a man who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Leicester Tigers, England and the British and Irish Lions, has put himself under such intense pressure to succeed. But to build a club up from scratch is a challenge he is relishing. “This is an incredible challenge and one which, after a great deal of thought, I felt I could not turn down,” said Back, 42. “I received an approach from Michael (Aland) in May, less than an hour after my resignation from Leeds was announced. “He sold me his vision of taking this famous club back to the top flight of English rugby, while doing something really meaningful for the town.” To help Back with the off-field duties, former England Sevens star Ben Gollings has been appointed as player-coach. This is Back’s chance to re-define himself as one of the brightest, young coaches around. At Leeds, he won promotion to the Premiership in his first season in charge. He then spectacularly kept the club in the Premiership on the penultimate day of the 2009/10 season with a dramatic home victory over Worcester Warriors. But, in what was ultimately his third and final season in charge, Back and Leeds were relegated in the final game against Northampton Saints. In dramatic circumstances at Franklins Gardens, they surrendered a 24-3 lead as the home side clawed their way back to victory to consign Leeds to the drop. Given his pedigree and reputation within the game, he should gain instant respect from his new collegues at Rugby. They will be a well organised, well driven, motivated outfit under the stewardship of a renowned winner. Back said: “It’s a big call for me having coached in the Premiership and I have asked myself whether it’s a retrograde step given how ambitious I am. “It’s not about money. Nor is this is an easy option by any stretch of the imagination, which is why I asked for a five-year contract. “But I believe that turning around Rugby and getting the club to the Premiership would be a significant achievement and one I can use as a stepping stone to coaching at the very highest level” said Back. The rugby world awaits to see if Back can truly live up to his word and get Rugby back to where they feel they belong.