Tigers were 26-8 down in the first half of the opening game in this season’s Heineken Cup before fighting back to draw 32-32 and Cockerill says he players can all take the pride in that performance into a vital part of the season with games against Viadana and London Irish away, then Northampton Saints and world champions South Africa at Welford Road to come over the next four weekends.
“Just before half-time I was worried because we could have lost composure, but then we went out again and took the game to them,” said Cockerill.
“We had to make changes because of injury and illness, and there are some guys with no real experience at that level. Lucas Amorosino made his first start, Billy Twelvetrees made his debut and he kicked the goal to pull the scores level. They are young guys and they stuck at their task.
“You believe in those guys and they will believe in themselves – Lucas will believe, Billy Twelvetrees will believe.
“You earn the right to play for this club and in that Leicester Tigers shirt, and all of the guys did that. They will all take a lot from that game.
“It shows we can compete with players missing and that has to help the belief in the squad too. It just shows the quality at this club.”
Tickets are on sale now for Tigers' back-to-back home games against Northampton Saints and South Africa. Phone the Tigers ticket office hotline on 0844 856 1880, book online or call in at Welford Road.
