HEINEKEN CUP SEMI-FINAL LEICESTER TIGERS v CARDIFF BLUES:LEICESTER HEAD coach Richard Cockerill is unconcerned about his side being underdogs for Sunday's Heineken Cup semi-final with Cardiff Blues at the Millennium Stadium. The former England hooker has hinted the Tigers may adopt a physical approach to try to blunt the threat of the Blues, who hammered Gloucester 50-12 in the recent EDF Energy Cup final.
Six Cardiff players have been named in the British and Irish Lions squad for their summer tour of South Africa but Cockerill believes his own players are worthy of respect after finishing top of the English Premiership and facing another semi-final in that competition against Bath six days after tackling Cardiff.
He said: “Cardiff have got all the Lions players and they are in the best form of their lives and everything else. I’m all right with that (being underdogs). But in our team meetings and in our dressingroom, we are not underdogs.
“We’ve watched all their stuff on DVD. They are a very good side. You let them play and you let them do what they want to do and they are a very good side,” he added.
“But the teams who have taken them to task and physically fronted up have made them work very hard for their wins. That maybe is an approach we will take.
“Centre Aaron Mauger is set to return after injury to face Cardiff although Sam Vesty has been in excellent form.
There has been some speculation that, if Mauger plays, Vesty will switch to outhalf at the expense of England’s Toby Flood.
Cockerill said: “Aaron is fit and there is every chance he will be involved. But Sam has come in and done a superb job. I have to decide what is best for the start of the game.”
Cockerill confirmed former England skipper Martin Corry will not be in the starting XV despite being available after suspension and injury. He said: “The other guys have done enough to keep their places and Martin was banned for six weeks, came back and was then injured. He has not had enough games to get in the squad.
Cockerill is pleased to have players back in contention. “The injuries had been a hindrance earlier in the year but I think it has helped us now because we are getting guys back who haven’t played for a while. Lewis Moody played for the first time in 13 weeks at the weekend against Bristol, did the full 80 minutes and performed very well.
“Having Julian White back in the mix has been fantastic, Ben Kay has been injured for several weeks and is back in the mix so these type of guys give you lots of impetus. We also have Marco Wentzel coming back in”
Meanwhile, Corry will end speculation about his playing future by announcing his retirement from rugby next week. The 35-year-old, who won 64 England caps and toured twice with the Lions, has served Leicester for 12 years.
