Collins left in ‘shock’ after Lions claim league title
LEICESTER Lions head coach Gareth Collins says he went into shock at the full-time whistle last weekend when his side had been crowned champions of National 2 West.
Former Lions fly-half Collins spent ten years as a player and the previous five years trying to earn promotion with the humble Midlands club and was immensely proud to secure their place in the third tier for next season.
He said: “There were celebrations but it was quite a strange feeling certainly for me personally. We’ve been in National Two for a very long time, so it was a bit of shock from everyone.
“It means everything. It was my goal as a player to try and win the league. We got close on a couple of occasions but never got there, so I’ve been highly motivated to try and make that happen. It always seemed like a bit of a pipe dream to be honest but everything came together this year. It means a lot to everybody, so I’m just delighted it’s happened.”
Lions have proved a formidable outfit all season losing just once and comfortably saw off Loughborough Students 33-5 to canter over the line.
Collins said: “It was nerve wracking in the week. You don’t want to prepare too much in case you don’t win the game. Loughborough are a very good side and we half made plans to get it done at home in front of a big crowd. The club had pulled out all the stops, so it was good we got it done
with a dominant performance.
“From the outside it looks like it’s been easier than it has been. There’s not much between ourselves and Clifton, Redruth in the early parts, Dings, as well as the two university sides.
“We’ve worked hard before each game coming up with a game plan and that shows in the results. We were focused on set piece last week which was where we were always going to get the edge. Loughborough scored five points which is the lowest they’ve scored all year, so it was a job well done.”
Collins is looking forward to the challenges National One will provide but with a lack of financial backing, he expects to be in a relegation battle.
He said: “Everyone knows it’s going to be difficult. We don’t have a huge amount of finance behind us. We won’t be in a position to get many new players in, if at all. Our success has been through the hard way and now we have to deal with the challenge of being in the league above. Hopefully we can stay up.
“There’s positive in going to sides like Sale, Rosslyn Park and Blackheath, so we’re excited for the challenge.”