Former Scotland international joins Bournemouth as coach - and he may play, too

BOURNEMOUTH Rugby has announced a major boost to its coaching ranks with the arrival of former Scotland international, Greig Tonks.

Born in South Africa but raised in England from the age of two, Tonks brings a wealth of experience from a stellar playing career that saw him in title-winning form for Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints, London Irish and Edinburgh.

Internationally, he made the leap from representing England at under-20 level to earning eight caps for Scotland between 2013 and 2017, thanks to his Scottish heritage through his Ayrshire-born mother.

Since retiring in 2019, Tonks has settled in the Bournemouth area with his family—and now he’s ready to make his mark on the local rugby scene as the newest addition to the senior coaching team at Bournemouth Rugby.

Will Croker, director of rugby, expressed his enthusiasm at bringing such a high-calibre coach on board: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Greig to the club. He’s incredibly knowledgeable and has let his expertise speak for itself from the moment he joined us.

"Over the last month, he’s already been working closely with the full-backs, and the results have been fantastic. It’s clear his presence is having an immediate impact.”

But that’s not all—Lions fans may soon see the former international in action on the field as well.

“Greig has started light training with a view to registering as a player. His experience is invaluable, both on and off the pitch, and we’re thrilled to have him involved at every level of the club,” Croker added.

For Tonks, the move marks an exciting new chapter in his rugby journey: “It’s been great to step back into the game after a bit of time away.

"The hunger, passion, and commitment from the squad are incredible—they’re eager to grow, improve, and deliver results. As a senior coach, that’s the perfect environment to step into. The focus now is on winning every game and building momentum all the way to the final whistle of the season,” says Greig.

Bournemouth Rugby have enjoyed a scorching 12 game unbeaten run and are now just a point away from the top spot of Regional 2 South Central.

Fans can expect further big things with Tonks now on board, as they face off against Newbury on Saturday at Chapel Gate.