THE LAST WORD

THE contrast was stark. Brutal even. Just as Richard Cockerill’s Edinburgh were storming to an historic victory in Toulon, his former club Leicester were being given the runaround by the Scarlets in Llanelli. Whenever the Tigers appear to have taken a step forward and hint at a revival, they go back to being the pale imitations of recent times. Geordan Murphy left out many leading men, but even a shadow Leicester team shouldn’t be nilled before half-time and surrender so tamely. Meanwhile, Cockerill’s star keeps rising. His Edinburgh team are proving his credentials. They are not awash with superstars but they are cohesive and electric, and have all the aggressive spirit which is built into their head coach’s DNA. There will be some Tigers fans wondering why he was moved on.