Cockerill demands focus

Image: Cockerill: Focus

Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill has called for focus after Saturday's win over Harlequins.

'We haven't won anything yet' warns Tigers boss

Leicester's players must remain focused according to head coach Richard Cockerill after Saturday's defeat of Harlequins guaranteed them the Guinness Premiership top spot. Leicester stormed back to claim a 40-22 victory in the second half after their complacency had allowed Quins to lead 17-16 at half-time. "It's very pleasing to finish top of the table," said. Cockerill. "It is a relentless tournament but we haven't won anything yet so we have to keep focused." Cockerill was unimpressed with the first-half performance. He said: "We kicked poorly, dropped off tackles and they had quality in their back three to take advantage. "I'm disappointed that we conceded three tries. "We had to keep our composure; we were a little bit rattled as we are not used to being behind here at half-time and sometimes we think we are better than we are." Despite Quins conceding numerous penalties in the opening 40 minutes it was not until early in the second half that flanker Chris Robshaw was sent to the sin-bin.

Intensity

"They gave away 13 penalties in the first half," added Cockerill. "Every time we built up some momentum they had some bloke lying there. "I thought they should have received a yellow card 15 minutes earlier." Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea remained upbeat despite the heavy defeat but felt his side were on the wrong end of some decisions. He said: "I thought we were magnificent and if we can continue to play with that intensity we will finish in the top four next season. "If you come to a place like this you know decisions are going to go against you and we'll have to look at those issues in the correct manner. "At 10-0 down we didn't throw in the towel and the loss of Robshaw to the sin-bin was crucial. "Before he went in we were 17-16 up and then we lost by 18 points."
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