Aviva Premiership
Cockerill hits back at former Leicester team-mates
ESPN Staff
May 13, 2015
Richard Cockerill at the Ricoh Arena ahead of Leicester's match with Wasps
Richard Cockerill at the Ricoh Arena ahead of Leicester's match with Wasps© David Rogers/Getty Images

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has hit back at criticism of his side from former team-mates.

Neil Back, Austin Healey and Lewis Moody had all voiced concerns over the club's performances and results under Cockerill this season.

However, in the wake of the club's vital victory over Wasps at the Ricoh Arena last weekend, Cockerill hit back at his critics, arguind that they had not experienced the pressure the role of director of rugby entails. That result means that if Leicester beat table-toppers Northampton Saints this weekend they will qualify for the Aviva Premiership play-offs for the eleventh consecutive season.

"The reality is they've never done it [been director of rugby]," said Cockerill. "I'm doing it, I've done it, I've won competitions. They're far better players than I ever was but they don't understand the dynamics of how it works.

"I understand they are high profile in the game and their opinions are sought but for me it's about having a measured view. I have played with guys like Austin, Neil and Lewis and we lost some big games, played poorly and got beaten in finals. It is not as if they never lost a game of rugby. It happens.

"I don't mind being criticised but the personal attack is the thing I dislike. Criticise or offer a constructive view, fine. One day they'll have their opportunity. Or not."

Cockerill was very emotional in the coach's box at full-time of the victory over Wasps and believes that pressure has never been greater on those coaching and managing at the top level.

"I think it's more extreme. My record as a coach is very good if you look at the hard facts. But lose three on the trot and people question whether I should be in the job. I don't know if there are any other clubs in the Premiership where that question would get asked.

"There's no doubting I've been under pressure this year for results. I don't know about under pressure for my job but one normally equates with the other. There's no point pretending it's not a fickle environment, that's just how it is. I had a lot more friends on Saturday evening at six o'clock than I did on Friday at six o'clock. But the landscape of the game is changing every quarter. If you've got a lot of money you can turn a team around very quickly."

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