Hudson appointed Tigers women's head coach

Tom Hudson will be in charge of Leicester Tigers Women for their second season in England's top flight

Former Gloucester back Tom Hudson has been appointed Leicester Tigers Women's head coach.

The 29-year-old, who was an academy player with Tigers before going on to feature in the Premiership with the Cherry and Whites, was part of Vicky Macqueen's coaching team at Leicester before she left her role as head of women's rugby at the end of last season.

Hudson was involved with Tigers' first season in the women's top-flight last term, having left his role as coach of Cheltenham Tigers Women and the player-coach position he had at Ampthill in the Championship to return to his boyhood club.

Tigers finished bottom of the table in their debut season in Premiership Women's Rugby.

Luke Stratford steps up as assistant coach to Hudson, having last season worked as the forwards coach.

The women's programme, which former England international Macqueen was instrumental in establishing, will now be overseen by the club's general manager Richard Wilks.