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Mauger fully focused on derby build-up

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Aaron Mauger is backing Leicester Tigers in the fight for places in the top four of the Aviva Premiership table with just five rounds remaining.

In interim charge of team affairs since the departure of Richard Cockerill in January, head coach Mauger leaves the club after Saturday’s derby match away to Northampton Saints, with Matt O’Connor due to take over in April.
 
Anglo-Welsh Cup winners Tigers are in fifth place in the Aviva Premiership table, one point outside the top four, while Saints are just three points further back ahead of this weekend’s meeting.
 
“It’s disappointing to be leaving the club,” said Mauger who also spent three seasons as a player at Tigers after a successful career in New Zealand with the Crusaders and the All Blacks.
 
“A lot of hard work has gone into the season so far and, especially in the last eight weeks, into getting us back on track. There is a lot of belief in this group of coaches, staff and players which I think should hold us in good stead going into the run-in to the end of the season.
 
“It has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride with its share of ups and downs, but I thank the club for the opportunity to come back here and coach a great group of players.
 
“I thank my wife and family for their support in coming over here for this challenge at the start of last season and thank the good friends who have helped us to ride out the tough points as well as thanking the coaches, the staff and the players at Tigers. Also thanks to the fans who have constantly been in touch with their well wishes through the highs and lows of the season.
 
“I will still be here this week and I’m totally committed to the team and getting the preparation right for a huge game against Northampton Saints on Saturday which starts the five-match run-in to the league programme.
 
“I’m disappointed that I won’t be here to see it through to the end but I still believe this team can go all the way this season. I wish them all the best for the remainder of the season.”