Williams:WinwouldbefittingtributetoCockerill
MIKE WILLIAMS was down in Brighton with England when the news came through. Like so many of the Leicester squad, he felt profound, personal sadness about the dismissal of Richard Cockerill.
The Zimbabwe-born Tigers flanker was not surprised that the former hooker and club stalwart, who was sacked from his post as director of rugby on Monday after a six-year tenure, was quickly snapped up as a consultant by Toulon. Now the players who have lamented his removal will seek to deliver a fitting send-off today, when they face Wasps.
‘It’s quite a tough pill to swallow, especially because I got on really well with him,’ said Williams, when asked about the removal of Cockerill, who brought him to Welford Road from Worcester. ‘I don’t think you’ll find many blokes that love the place as much as he does. If there’s anyone that would probably jump in front of a bus for you, it would be Cockers.
‘He’s an amazing bloke. He would help you out through anything and he did a very good job at getting the team up before games and all that sort of stuff. It is very sad but he’s one of those tough blokes from back in the old days who just accepts it and gets on with what’s next to come and he has an unbelievable record.’
The collective ambition is for a stirring Tigers tribute at the Ricoh Arena this afternoon, in defiance of the expectations that on-song Wasps will claim another victory to further boost their title charge. ‘The team is very driven to get things right and to make Cockers proud by coming away with a win,’ said Williams.
With former All Black centre Aaron Mauger now in charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, there is a perception that the Tigers will undergo a gradual tactical shift.
Former England star Ben Kay, now on the board at Welford Road, revealed in Saturday’s Times that the decision to axe Cockerill had to be made. ‘The senior players made it clear to us that they were confused by the conflicting coaching messages,’ he said.
‘Players need clarity of direction. We concluded that Cockerill’s influence was beginning to wane.’
But Williams added: ‘Leicester will still be Leicester. They’ll be known for the fortress at Welford Road and a big team that’s going to bash you on a weekend.’