ADULT CHAT LINE
May calls on struggling Tigers to learn lessons from England and get back to winning ways
Paris, Pool 4, Tomorrow 3.15pm JONNY MAY wants struggling Leicester to follow England’s example and dig themselves out of the hole they are in.
May’s wounded Tigers have lost six in a row in all competitions, lie three points off the bottom of the Premiership and are 7/1 outsiders to beat Racing 92 in Paris tomorrow.
A week ago they were smashed 41-10 at Bristol, maintaining their record as the worst defence in English rugby’s top flight, where they ship an average of 33 points a game.
Despite an England backline trio of Manu Tuilagi (above), George Ford and May, few give Leicester a chance of ending their losing streak in France.
“It’s time to be honest,” said winger May. “To say, ‘Do you know what, it’s quite clear we’re not good enough at the moment’. To go back to basics.
“It’s time for us each to focus on doing our own role better. There’s probably 15 men out there not doing their role as well as they could.”
Leicester, Racing 92 Leicester Ulster Scarlets
v2 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 England’s 0 0 0 0
L0 1 1 2
F58 55 36 40
Abiggest club, have been on the slide for too long. No major trophy in six years, four head coaches since January 2017.
Last season was a disaster as they failed to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2004, but at least made Europe.
This season they sacked Matt O’Connor as boss after one game and the R-word is now being whispered.
“Not by us it’s not,” said May. “This is not a time to be thinking either of topfour or relegation, it’s a time to focus on performance. “Look at England. If you go through a tough time and keep your head down and work incredibly hard, you can be there or thereabouts at the end of the year. “England lost five in a row, worked hard and won one, worked harder then were a point away from beating the All Blacks and being four from four in the autumn.”
Tigers are expected to appoint a defence coach this month, but May insists caretaker boss Geordan Murphy retains the support of the dressing room.
Former favourite Toby Flood says it is high time Murphy was given the role full-time, arguing: “It would be remiss of Leicester to let this guy slide by. “They could probably find someone with a better CV,” said Flood. “But you won’t find anybody with as big a desire for the club as Geordie.”
B25 1 51 1 54 0 59 1 9 5 4 1 Saracens Glasgow Cardiff Lyon 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 1 0
L0 1 1 2
F42 32 42 31
A13 1 25 1 50 0 59 0 9 5 4 0
vPark, tomorrow, KO 1pm
MARO ITOJE faces a race against time to be fit for England’s Six Nations showdown with Ireland after chipping his kneecap.
The Saracens lock
(left) suffered the injury against Australia.
But he only discovered the damage after his knee swelled up following last week’s Premiership win over Wasps. Nick Isiekwe takes his place at home to Champions Cup Pool 3 rivals Cardiff tomorrow as Sarries look to extend their unbeaten start.
Mako Vunipola (left) makes his first start since straining his calf against Glasgow in the opening round.
But George Kruis must wait for next week’s return in Wales. The match pits England’s fly-half against Wales’ No.10, with Owen Farrell and Gareth Anscombe going head to head.