Cockerill keeps Tigers on their toes

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

The Tigers face the first of two finals when they clash with London Irish in the Guinness Premiership showpiece at Twickenham on Saturday, before colliding with Leinster in a bid to reclaim the Heineken Cup crown they last won in 2002, the week after.

"This team has got to be there or thereabouts when comparing with past Leicester sides but we haven't won anything yet. I tell the players that every day," said head coach Cockerill.

The Tigers have reached the Premiership final for the last four years, winning just once in 2007, and Cockerill knows trophies are the true gauge of success.

"Is this the level we're happy at? We've reached two finals, is that our season?" he added. "The players are up for the battle, in fact I need to temper them a bit."

Cockerill took over at Welford Road in November following the departure of Heyneke Meyer on compassionate grounds and Leicester have flourished under his guidance.

The former England hooker was named the season's top director of rugby at the Premiership awards ceremony last week and he admits he has made better progress than expected.

"My greatest achievement this season has been preventing it from going belly-up," he said. "We weren't in trouble but we were in fifth or sixth place and everybody's going 'the pressure's on you'. I thought 'thanks for that' and got on with it.

"You make big calls and hope they're right. By and large it has worked out so far. I suppose things have worked out better than I expected but we have good players.

"You can be the best coach but without good players you won't get anywhere. One of the things that has changed since then is that we want to play with the ball in hand more and use the skills that we've got."