It’s all change for Pietersen

JP PIETERSEN has been around the block more than once but even he could not have seen what was coming when he signed for Leicester Tigers.

The South African played a decade of Super Rugby with the Sharks, had a stint in Japan with Panasonic Wild Knights and won a World Cup in 2007. After 70 caps and 24 Test tries, he must have thought he had experienced everything.

But this year he has seen Richard Cockerill depart as director of rugby at Leicester, then his replacement Aaron Mauger go, before Geordan Murphy took over for a while and now Matt O’Connor is coach.

Injuries to key men such as Matt Toomua and Manu Tuilagi have not helped yet Leicester are fourth and could still win the title. Welcome to the wacky world of the Premiership.

“It is not ideal for any player but is not something we can control,” said Pietersen. “We’ve got a coach now and should not look too much at the past. He wants us to have an attacking mindset. With Maugs and Cockers they played some good rugby before I signed.

“Unfortunately we have had a lot of injuries, particularly in the backs, and never got any continuity. We have three games left and it is an opportunity for us to get into the play-offs.”

Leicester tackle Newcastle today and O’Connor brings in hooker George McGuigan, flanker Mike Williams and centre Jack Roberts.

Dean Richards, Newcastle’s director of rugby and Leicester legend, brings Joel Hodgson in for Mike Delany – who has a broken thumb – at fly-half and Tongan Nili Latu at No8.

Bath go to Worcester unchanged and Warriors, just about safe from relegation, give tight-head prop Biyi Alo his first Premiership start.

George Kruis will get a late chance to impress Lions head coach Warren Gatland tomorrow when Saracens take on Northampton.

Lock Kruis missed the Six Nations with a knee injury.