Richard Cockerill is looking forward to another great Welford Road occasion when Leicester Tigers kick-off their European Rugby Champions Cup campaign against Ulster Rugby.
Tigers take on 1999 European Champions Ulster at home on Saturday in their first game in the newly-formed competition.
And with the Tigers Family in full voice, Cockerill says that Welford Road takes on its own unique atmosphere for big European games.
“There’s nothing like Welford Road on those big European occasions and Ulster at home, in the first game of the new competition, is going to be another big night at Welford Road,” said the Tigers director of rugby.
“If we have any ambition of getting out of the group we need to have a good start, however difficult that may be.
“Ulster are Ulster, like Leicester are Leicester. On the big day you know that they will come up with the goods. I am sure it will be an excellent contest.”
Cockerill, who was part of Tigers’ two European Cup-winning squads as a player and was involved as either a player or a coach in the club’s three other Final appearances in 1997, 2007 and 2009, says the new competition’s format makes it tougher than ever to be crowned champions of Europe.
“The Champions Cup is exactly what it is,” he said. “It’s about having the best teams in a great competition. It’s tougher than ever because it’s all about qualification. The teams that are in there have earned the right to be in there. By definition it’s going to be difficult.
“But they are all good teams in the competition. It’s the way we want it and the way it should be. Everyone is capable of beating anybody.”
Tickets for Tigers’ return to Europe are available now from the ticket office. Call 0116 319 8888, visit the Welford Road ticket office or book online by clicking here.
Tigers take on 1999 European Champions Ulster at home on Saturday in their first game in the newly-formed competition.
And with the Tigers Family in full voice, Cockerill says that Welford Road takes on its own unique atmosphere for big European games.
“There’s nothing like Welford Road on those big European occasions and Ulster at home, in the first game of the new competition, is going to be another big night at Welford Road,” said the Tigers director of rugby.
“If we have any ambition of getting out of the group we need to have a good start, however difficult that may be.
“Ulster are Ulster, like Leicester are Leicester. On the big day you know that they will come up with the goods. I am sure it will be an excellent contest.”
Cockerill, who was part of Tigers’ two European Cup-winning squads as a player and was involved as either a player or a coach in the club’s three other Final appearances in 1997, 2007 and 2009, says the new competition’s format makes it tougher than ever to be crowned champions of Europe.
“The Champions Cup is exactly what it is,” he said. “It’s about having the best teams in a great competition. It’s tougher than ever because it’s all about qualification. The teams that are in there have earned the right to be in there. By definition it’s going to be difficult.
“But they are all good teams in the competition. It’s the way we want it and the way it should be. Everyone is capable of beating anybody.”
Tickets for Tigers’ return to Europe are available now from the ticket office. Call 0116 319 8888, visit the Welford Road ticket office or book online by clicking here.
