Richard Cockerill says Leicester Tigers and Saracens will have "a huge amount of respect for each other" when they meet in the Aviva Premiership semi-final on Saturday.
Tigers are in the knockout stages of the league season for a 12th successive year while hosts Saracens - who topped the table after 22 rounds - are making their seventh consecutive appearance just a week after lifting the European Cup for the first time.
“Saracens have already had a successful season in Europe,” said Tigers director of rugby Cockerill following their Champions Cup Final victory over Racing 92, conquerors of Leicester in the semi-final stages.
“They were on control for most of the Final and they deserved to win.
“They’ve had a big season. We know we have to go there and put everything on the line.
"For us, it is all to do, but we know if we are on our game and play how we can play then we are certainly good enough. They will know that. Both sides will have a huge amount of respect for each other.”
Kick-off in the opening semi-final of the season is at 12.30pm at Allianz Park on Saturday. Tickets are still available from the Saracens ticket office.
Tigers are in the knockout stages of the league season for a 12th successive year while hosts Saracens - who topped the table after 22 rounds - are making their seventh consecutive appearance just a week after lifting the European Cup for the first time.
“Saracens have already had a successful season in Europe,” said Tigers director of rugby Cockerill following their Champions Cup Final victory over Racing 92, conquerors of Leicester in the semi-final stages.
“They were on control for most of the Final and they deserved to win.
“They’ve had a big season. We know we have to go there and put everything on the line.
"For us, it is all to do, but we know if we are on our game and play how we can play then we are certainly good enough. They will know that. Both sides will have a huge amount of respect for each other.”
Kick-off in the opening semi-final of the season is at 12.30pm at Allianz Park on Saturday. Tickets are still available from the Saracens ticket office.
