Head coach Matt O'Connor says Leicester Tigers' progress to the semi-finals of the Aviva Premiership season is a tribute to the resilience of players and staff.
Tigers finished the league programme in the top four in the Aviva Premiership table to book a place in the knockout stages for a 13th successive season and will face Wasps in the semi-final on Saturday, May 13.
“You don’t want to hang your hat on getting to the semi-finals just because it has been done so many times in the past or just because you are Leicester,” said O’Connor after the Round 22 win at Worcester Warriors on Saturday.
“I have spoken a lot about the resilience of the group, of the players and the staff. They have stuck together regardless of what is happening around them.
“To be in the mix to play knockout rugby is the objective at the start of the season and it’s great credit to them all that we’ve done enough to get there.”
O’Connor has been in charge for wins over Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors in the final three rounds of the season following the departure of Aaron Mauger and had nothing but praise for the playing squad.
“A lot of credit to the players and staff for holding it together in a testing season,” he said.
“It is a great statement for the resilience of the club. It says so much about the environment and about the character and resilience of the players, the coaches and the staff. They have worked as hard as you can ask of any group.
“Now we have a semi-final to prepare for and we know Wasps are a very talented side but we will go there and give it everything.”
Tigers finished the league programme in the top four in the Aviva Premiership table to book a place in the knockout stages for a 13th successive season and will face Wasps in the semi-final on Saturday, May 13.
“You don’t want to hang your hat on getting to the semi-finals just because it has been done so many times in the past or just because you are Leicester,” said O’Connor after the Round 22 win at Worcester Warriors on Saturday.
“I have spoken a lot about the resilience of the group, of the players and the staff. They have stuck together regardless of what is happening around them.
“To be in the mix to play knockout rugby is the objective at the start of the season and it’s great credit to them all that we’ve done enough to get there.”
O’Connor has been in charge for wins over Newcastle Falcons, Sale Sharks and Worcester Warriors in the final three rounds of the season following the departure of Aaron Mauger and had nothing but praise for the playing squad.
“A lot of credit to the players and staff for holding it together in a testing season,” he said.
“It is a great statement for the resilience of the club. It says so much about the environment and about the character and resilience of the players, the coaches and the staff. They have worked as hard as you can ask of any group.
“Now we have a semi-final to prepare for and we know Wasps are a very talented side but we will go there and give it everything.”
