The Leicester Tigers and the phrase
empty handed do not fit well together… they have been an ever present fixture
in the Aviva Premiership Final for as long as any of us can remember however last season their summer break started earlier than
expected. Richard Cockerill’s assessment of it all was as pragmatic as ever; ‘I dislike losing but you have to dust yourself off, show a bit
character, regroup and carry on.’
If you look at the Tigers’
2013/14 season closely their narrow loss to Northampton Saints in the Semi Final
was actually a fairly heroic effort due to the injuries that ravaged their
squad throughout the season. They fielded 13 or 14 different midfield
combinations, the wrecking ball that is Manu Tuilagi played just six games for
the club and on a regular basis they had to ransack the depths of their squad/academy to field a
match day twenty three. However during the course of such a difficult season
individuals stepped up to the mark and shone and the Leicester Tigers, like so many other
clubs, are going into the 2014/15 season a stronger side thanks to their injury
woes.
It takes a lot to be signed as a
Tiger, the door isn’t opened to everyone but for those that are allowed through they must
prove their worth quickly. This season Freddie Burns,
Leonardo Ghiraldini, Seremaia Bai,
Christian Loamanu, Michele Rizzo and veteran Brad Thorn are
the key names that are currently earning their stripes. The signing of Freddie
Burns from Gloucester is the one that has generated the most attention and
headlines over the past three months. Before England’s three tests in New Zealand there were individuals
saying that Tigers should ask for a refund however following two strong performances in the red rose of England
and a healthy pre-season those statements have been quickly retracted. Most recently Brad Thorn's arrived at Welford Road with a Super Rugby Title, World Cup and Heineken Cup under his belt, he is experienced, raring to go and the ultimate professional.
This season the development of a number of Tigers squad members will be fascinating to watch. Blaine
Scully entered on a short term contract last year and made a name for himself
quickly, Jamie Gibson’s first season ended with him taking the
‘Newcomer of the Year’ title at their end of season awards and the return to
full fitness of Miles Benjamin, Geoff Parling and Tom Croft will ignite all Tigers fans and indeed fans of Premiership
Rugby as a whole.
Richard Cockerill has identified defence as a key area to work on for his side, last season the Tigers conceded 41 tries, 10 more than the eventual Aviva Premiership Champions and in his eyes that simply isn't good enough. He has highlighted an improvement on his player's tackle technique and physicality on the gain line when they don't have the ball.
Six from six will be the objective
for the start of the Aviva Premiership and although outwardly the words ‘one game
at a time’ will be uttered we all know the high standards that are expected in
the East Midlands. The rest of the Aviva Premiership should be wary and should
expect nothing less than all-out war from Cockers’ men because just like their
Director of Rugby they hate to lose.
