Why have the Tigers’ teeth been pulled?

LEICESTER’S 42-13 rout by Glasgow at Scotstoun on Friday night – their worst defeat in the European Cup by a long way – shows just how far their stock has fallen since their consecutive titles in 2001 and 2002.

For a pack that traditionally prided itself on physical and mental grit this set of Tigers forwards proved themselves to be toothless. Their lack of bite in the tackle, especially close to the breakdown, was savagely exposed by a pumped-up Glasgow outfit.

Leicester’s rugby director, Richard Cockerill, said last week that he and head coach Aaron Mauger would take over defence coaching duties following the recent dismissal of the popular Kiwi, Scott Hansen. Yet, Glasgow’s five-try romp showed that instead of being patched up, the holes in Leicester’s defensive skin had become bigger.

We are often told defence is about attitude as much as organisation, and in Glasgow the Tigers were sadly deficient in both. As a result, the European Cup hopes of the best supported club in England are already hanging by a thread.

Cockerill and Mauger have an eight-day turnaround before facing the Racing 92 heavyweights at Welford Road. They will need to summon the grit and determination of old.