Our Leicester Tigers Gallagher Premiership preview examines the state of play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road following the arrival of Michael Cheika. This was probably the league’s biggest development last summer.
discussion points
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Life is never boring at Leicester, who have risen from the mire to become champions in 2022. Dan McKellar was appointed a year ago after a rigorous six-month process in which he was the best of around 40 candidates, the club told us.
However, he performed poorly and was abandoned in June. So Michael Cheika, whose extensive resume includes 66 Tests as head coach of the Wallabies, has come on board to add to his fiery brand of management. “I am looking for complete commitment and clear alignment on how we play the game. “If you want to aim high, you have to excel at everything,” he says.
With the sending off of Springbok Jasper Wiese, the Tigers lost arguably the most destructive ball carrier in the game, but Junior Springbok of the Year Corné Beets emerged as a young model. Leicester were the bottom team for line breaks last season, so new attack coach Pete Hewat has his work cut out for him.
Scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet has a point to prove after suffering a long-term injury last year (Getty Images)
key players
Julián Montoya, Cheika’s Pumas captain, embodies the work ethic his new boss will strive for. A big scrummaker and sharp tackler, Montoya’s form took a slight dip last year, but he’s expected to bounce back.
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One to watch
Ollie Chessum and George Martin should man the engine room, but keep an eye on lock/back row Finn Carnduff. He led England U20s to World Cup glory in July and has impressed for some minutes in the Premier League so far.
coach’s box
The Tigers spent most of last season without an offensive coach following the departure of Alan Dickens last October. Hewat arrives from Black Rams Tokyo to fill the breach. Matt Parr returns as head of athletics, with Brett Deacon (forward), Matt Everard (defense) and Dan Palmer (scrum) taking on key roles.
prediction
The Tigers will be good again, but it will take time. Champions Cup qualifiers are like that. But not anymore.
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