Tigers’boss expects rivals to be worried

HEAD coach Matt O’Connor believes his Leicester side will not be underestimated in the Aviva Premiership title run-in after they took a massive step towards the play-offs with a 41-18 victory over Sale.

The Tigers ran in tries from Freddie Burns, Graham Kitchener, Owen Williams, Jack Roberts and George McGuigan in their final game of the season at Welford Road, making them favourites to finish fourth.

The victory puts them on 62 points, nine ahead of Bath. A bonus point at Worcester next week will be enough to clinch fourth place for Leicester,.

Leicester, who led 20-10 at half time, ran away with the game in the second half and at times played excellent freeflowing rugby.

“There will be some clubs looking over their shoulders,” said O’Connor when asked if Leicester could mount a serious challenge for the title.

“There are things we have worked hard on and things we needed to adjust to get better clarity around, given the season we have had. Fair credit to the lads, they have worked hard to nail that detail.

“I am not great at maths but I think if we win at Worcester we will be alright.”

O’Connor said Leicester had targeted a bonus point, adding: “We thought if we executed on the opportunities we had there were our tries in it.

“We misfired a bit in the first half and we were a bit slow in the second half to get going, but I am pleased with the result.

“It was a pleasing performance in the last home game of the season. It was a good spectacle for the crowd.”