The pressure is on for the final round of fixtures in the Guinness Premiership this weekend, but Leicester Tigers head coach Pat Howard says it is all part and parcel of the game for professional players.
Tigers host London Wasps, while Gloucester and Bristol lock horns at Ashton Gate in two games of massive significance at the top of the table as all four are competing for a play-off place.
The only other side in with a shout are Saracens, who are away to a Worcester Warriors outfit desperately trying to stay ahead of Northampton Saints at the foot of the table.
"We are not guaranteed a semi-final place, and Wasps are still fighting for a semi-final place, so there is a lot of pressure there," said Howard who announced the return of Marcos Ayerza to his team and the inclusion of Seru Rabeni and Sam Vesty as the only changes to the starting XV from last Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Llanelli Scarlets.
"But both sides are fairly used to dealing with pressure situations. It is what you play for as a big club and it is what the season is all about. It is very tight at the top of the table and everybody is under a massive amount of pressure. We know it is another big contest and we will have to play very well to get something out of it."
Tigers and Wasps are due to meet again in the first all-English Heineken Cup Final on May 20, but Howard says that date has no bearing on Saturday's league clash.
"This is not a dress rehearsal for the Heineken Cup Final and you cannot keep anything back in the hope that you can surprise people next time," he said. "You have to put everything into every game because this is such a competitive league. Wasps are a good side, and we obviously know a lot about each other. But if you try to play chess too much you can get caught out."
Howard had enjoyed a sixth-match unbeaten run in all competitions up to Tuesday's Premiership defeat at Bristol.
"We took a team that I felt could win the game there - and I think we had opportunities to win it," he said. "The effort of all the guys was great, there was no lack of desire, they all tried very hard and I cannot fault them for that. We lacked a little in terms of composure and execution in parts.
"The game was still there to be won up to 60 minutes. We were still chasing a bonus point and we were still chasing a win right up until they scored in the last few minutes. Unfortunately we came away with nothing but we will deal with that and look to the next opportunity."
Tigers host London Wasps, while Gloucester and Bristol lock horns at Ashton Gate in two games of massive significance at the top of the table as all four are competing for a play-off place.
The only other side in with a shout are Saracens, who are away to a Worcester Warriors outfit desperately trying to stay ahead of Northampton Saints at the foot of the table.
"We are not guaranteed a semi-final place, and Wasps are still fighting for a semi-final place, so there is a lot of pressure there," said Howard who announced the return of Marcos Ayerza to his team and the inclusion of Seru Rabeni and Sam Vesty as the only changes to the starting XV from last Saturday's Heineken Cup semi-final victory over Llanelli Scarlets.
"But both sides are fairly used to dealing with pressure situations. It is what you play for as a big club and it is what the season is all about. It is very tight at the top of the table and everybody is under a massive amount of pressure. We know it is another big contest and we will have to play very well to get something out of it."
Tigers and Wasps are due to meet again in the first all-English Heineken Cup Final on May 20, but Howard says that date has no bearing on Saturday's league clash.
"This is not a dress rehearsal for the Heineken Cup Final and you cannot keep anything back in the hope that you can surprise people next time," he said. "You have to put everything into every game because this is such a competitive league. Wasps are a good side, and we obviously know a lot about each other. But if you try to play chess too much you can get caught out."
Howard had enjoyed a sixth-match unbeaten run in all competitions up to Tuesday's Premiership defeat at Bristol.
"We took a team that I felt could win the game there - and I think we had opportunities to win it," he said. "The effort of all the guys was great, there was no lack of desire, they all tried very hard and I cannot fault them for that. We lacked a little in terms of composure and execution in parts.
"The game was still there to be won up to 60 minutes. We were still chasing a bonus point and we were still chasing a win right up until they scored in the last few minutes. Unfortunately we came away with nothing but we will deal with that and look to the next opportunity."
