Tag: Tigers

When the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union club the Leicester Tigers travelled to Treviso in Italy, they had only one thing in mind – a repeat of last weekend’s success where they managed a bonus point win over the Italian side. But things didn’t turn out as planned and the record champions of the Premiership barely managed to come back from a losing position to secure a 14-13 victory over the stubborn Italians, as they managed to close the gap at the top of Pool 2 of the Heineken Cup with Toulouse losing their match to the high flying Welsh club Ospreys.

And the Director of Rugby of the club Richard Cockerill has admitted that he doesn’t care about losing the bonus point, all he cares about is the win and is extremely glad that his charges managed to come from behind and secure an all important win, which is extremely significant now that Toulouse have also lost their match. The Leicester Tigers failed to dominate the game and were missing in action for much of the action before a lucky break landed them a penalty towards the end and the penalty try was enough for them to secure victory.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the Leicester boss stated that he was extremely relieved and satisfied because his boys managed to come away with the win and that is the most important thing at this point in the competition. He added that Treviso played brilliantly and made his players work hard and deserved a round of applause for their efforts.

The Leicester Tigers boss admitted that his boys struggled to get going really and hinted at the negative effect the referee had on the game as well, but all in all, he couldn’t have asked for more as they came back with the win.

Richard Cockerill, the Director of Rugby of the Aviva Premiership Rugby Union side the Leicester Tigers has stated that the team is considering the option of signing Wessel Jooste, the back row forward from South Africa ahead of the start of the new season of the Aviva Premiership. The 31 year old spent the last 8 seasons with Bourgoin, the Top 14 side from France and would be a fantastic signing for The Tigers if he manages to complete the necessary paperwork involved to make the deal happen.

Speaking to BBC Radio Leicester, Cockerill stated that Jooste has been on trial with the record champions of the Aviva Premiership for quite some time and has been impressive with his performances on the training ground. But Cockerill also admitted that the South African was the one who was looking at the options of sorting out the necessary paperwork involved in terms of being granted a VISA and a work permit to put pen to paper on a deal with the Leicester Tigers.

The Tigers, who are currently enjoying a good spell of friendly matches ahead of the kickoff of the new season, have already 9 new players to the squad that finished second to Harlequins FC in the playoff final for the Premiership, narrowly missing out on what would have been their 9^th Premiership title. However, with the injuries to Tm Croft and also Craig Newby, the addition of the versatile Jooste could prove to be a master stroke on the part of the Leicester Tigers management.

Cockerill admitted that his versatility would be a boost to the squad. Moreover, he added that his physique would make it really easy for him to adapt to the style of play in the country and he admitted that his signing would complete the puzzle.