England’s 2003 World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward has joined the board of Heineken Cup finalists Leicester Tigers.

Woodward will also be joined by record try scorer and former Leicester winger Rory Underwood.

Woodward, who is currently the director of elite performance for the British Olympic Association, will take on an advisory role with the Tigers – the team he played for between 1979 to 1985.

"I consider it an honour to be appointed to the board of directors," Woodward told the BBC.

Woodward has been working for the BOA since September 2006 but some have questioned the effectiveness of his role. Woodward says he has spent the last 12 months learning "what elite sport looks like".

Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler said Woodward was more than happy to take up a place on the board.

"I think he was anxious to keep some foothold in rugby," Wheeler told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The sport was a massive part of his life as a player and as a coach and as a former player here, he's always had a strong interest in Leicester."

Wheeler said he expected new coach Marcelo Loffreda to consult Woodward on an unofficial basis.

"Marcelo was the outstanding head coach of the World Cup and he has executive responsibility for all playing matters," Wheeler said.

"I would expect him to have the odd yarn with Clive because Clive is at the cutting edge of all elite sport and especially preparation."

Woodward and Underwood will also be joined by Terry Gateley, a Tigers fan and senior partner at accountancy firm KPMG.

The three appointments come after former Leicester players John Allen, Bob Beason and David Matthews announced their retirement as directors.