Former England No.8 Nick Easter emerges as head coach target for promotion-chasing Brive

Nick Easter, the former England and Harlequins No.8 who has built a reputation as one of English rugby’s most promising coaches, has emerged as a leading candidate for the head coach vacancy at French Pro D2 side Brive, sources in France have indicated.

Brive, who have won all five of their Pro D2 fixtures this season, are seeking to strengthen their coaching staff as they mount a promotion push toward the Top 14. Owner Ian Osborne is prepared to pay a fee to release Easter from his contract at Chinnor, and the 48-year-old is understood to be open to relocating with his family to the Corrèze city. The role would see Easter work alongside Gregory Patat, who would remain as Director of Sport at the Stade Amédée-Domenech.

Brive’s interest in an English coach is not new. The club held talks with Richard Cockerill earlier in the year and previously attempted to recruit Joe El-Abd, currently one of England head coach Steve Borthwick’s key assistants, before turning their attention to Easter.

Easter began his coaching career in June 2016, just a month after retiring as a player, and has since accumulated experience across defence, forwards and breakdown roles at Harlequins, the Sharks, Newcastle Falcons, Worcester Warriors and USA. He took over as Director of Rugby at Chinnor — a Championship side based in Thame, Oxfordshire — in December 2022.

His work with the Oxfordshire club on a limited budget has drawn considerable attention. Last season he guided Chinnor to the Championship play-off quarter-finals, where they were narrowly beaten 35-29 by eventual champions Worcester Warriors. This campaign has begun with mixed results — a 43-26 opening defeat to Ealing Trailfinders followed by a commanding 52-33 victory over Bedford Blues — but the broader trajectory of the club under Easter has been enough to attract interest from both Gallagher Premiership sides and now Brive.

For Brive, the timing reflects genuine ambition. They currently trail early-season leaders Oyonnax by two bonus points, and Osborne appears determined to add the coaching quality he believes can sustain a promotion challenge across the full season.