Under-fire Cockerill confident Leicester can still make play-offs

Richard Cockerill has challenged Leicester Tigers’ detractors not to judge his side until the Aviva Premiership play-offs.

Rugby director Cockerill insists that a successful campaign will once again rest on qualifying for the end-of-term play-off battle – with the jury forced to remain out until then.

Leicester dropped out of the Premiership’s all-important top four with the 31-10 Christmas Eve defeat at Exeter Chiefs. That followed their record European loss, the 38-0 thumping at Munster on 10 December.

Unfazed boss Cockerill remains confident his Tigers side can still qualify for the league’s play-offs – and claimed consecutive clashes with Premiership pacesetters Saracens and Wasps will not make or break their chances.

“You have to take results in context and take a measured view of the season,” said Cockerill, responding to a disgruntled body of supporters in wake of recent losses.

“But how many times have we had this conversation? On a measured view? Most seasons. All we can do is keep on working hard at what we’re doing. Having character and continuing to work through the issues is part of it. We’re still a very consistent side that’s in the mix for silverware every year, and we’re looking to do that again this year.

“The reality is we’ll see where we are after round 22, and we’ll do our best to get there.

“I understand that at a club of this quality you have to be in the mix to win things.

“If we’re not there’s always going to be questions asked.”

0 Richard Cockerill: Pressure.