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Now we need to step up for Europe says Cockerill

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Richard Cockerill says accuracy and intensity will have to improve as Leicester Tigers prepare to host Toulon in the European Rugby Champions Cup on Sunday.

Owen Williams kicked all of the points in an 18-16 win over Wasps at Welford Road on Saturday and Tigers are level on points in the Aviva Premiership table with fourth-placed Saracens who were beaten at Exeter Chiefs.
 
But Cockerill and the squad know a significant improvement will be required going into the double header with reigning European champions Toulon, starting on home ground on Sunday.
 
“It was a pretty poor game, there was not a lot of rugby played and both sides were relatively indisciplined, but we’ve got the four points,” said Tigers director of rugby Cockerill.
 
“Our accuracy was poor, the intensity was poor and gave away soft points. We got out of jail and were a bit lucky to get the win, though we did put them under pressure to get those penalties and we had the composure to come through it.
 
“But we certainly cannot play like that against Toulon.”
 
As well as the four points, Cockerill report positives in seeing Dab Cole come through 80 minutes for the first time since his return from injury, and having Tom Youngs, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Marcos Ayerza and Robert Barbieri back in the matchday squad.  
 
“It’s just about getting gametime for Coley, he’s been out for a long time,” said Cockerill. “Tom Youngs came through the game well with no ill-effects, and it was good to get bodies pack after the internationals.
 
“Now we go into Europe, get ours heads on and make sure everybody from one to 23 does what they need to do.”
 
Wasps director of rugby Dai Young was disappointed that his team could not see out the win as they led going into the final two minutes and said: “There are very few times you get the opportunity to come here and win and we certainly had our opportunity. We were in a position to win in a very tight game. The disappointing factor was the discipline, which was probably the difference between us winning and losing.”

Tigers versus Toulon is a 5.30pm kick-off At Welford road on Sunday and tickets are available now. Book online any time by clicking here - a print at home facility is now available too - or visit the Welford Road ticket office or phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2). The office is open 8.30am-5pm weekdays, until 8pm Wednesday, 9am-5pm Saturday and from 9am this Sunday.