Leicester’s spit-and-sawdust training ground and no-nonsense methods have been a source of significant pride at the club and a fundamental part of their success over the years.
But as she sat at Oval Park earlier this month, Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen had a very clear message for everyone associated with the organisation she heads up.
‘Finishing eighth isn’t what Leicester is about,’ Pinchen said, calmly but clearly.
‘That’s not good enough. It’s not what season-ticket holders pay to come and see and we’re fully aware of that. We’ve got greater expectations than that.’
Over to you, Michael Cheika.
Former Australia coach Michael Cheika is the latest man to be appointed as Leicester boss
Tigers chief executive Andrea Pinchen is determined for Leicester to finish higher in the table
After another seismic summer at Welford Road on the back of a disappointing 2023-24 Gallagher Premiership season, Leicester are beginning yet another rebuild.
Out has gone one Australian head coach in Dan McKellar, who lasted just one year at the helm, and in has come another in Cheika who certainly doesn’t lack experience. He is, however, the eighth man to oversee Leicester in less than eight years — hardly an ideal situation.
‘I’m personally looking for stability, so we don’t have to do this (look for a new coach) every year,’ said Pinchen with a wry smile. ‘It’s no secret stability is the key but when things come at you from left field, different challenges present themselves. We can’t just forgo a season. For us it’s really key we do well this season. Stability would be great.’
Leicester have got used to upheaval. Their long-term planning, which had brought success with a Premiership title in 2022, was thrown into disarray when Steve Borthwick was poached by the RFU to succeed Eddie Jones as the man in charge of England.
Not only did Borthwick, understandably, move on to the national job, he took his assistants Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield, Tom Harrison and Aled Walters with him to Twickenham.
Since their former hooker Richard Cockerill left in January 2017, the Tigers have had Aaron Mauger, Matt O’Connor, Geordan Murphy, Borthwick, Wigglesworth and McKellar in charge.
McKellar left by mutual consent this summer — more than a month after their last game of the season — to add to the sense of carnage. And Cheika, who had his belongings packed to move back to the southern hemisphere from his home in Paris, was parachuted in. Cheika, 57, has signed a one-year deal with an option to extend. McKellar’s only campaign with Leicester saw them miss out on the play-offs and it is clear that despite arriving on short notice, Cheika must vastly improve on that.
And, while the loss of barnstorming carrier Jasper Wiese is undoubtedly a blow, Cheika has a strong and impressive squad packed full of internationals. Cheika, who has coached at Test level with Australia and Argentina, and with Leinster and Stade Francais, has already declared he is ‘in it to win everything’ with his new team.
Mail Sport understands Leicester’s players have been impressed with Cheika’s methods so far
Ollie Chessum, who is returning from injury, will be determined to impress under Cheika
‘Sometimes when you play for a club like this you feel you have to live up to the reputation which has been set when the real objective is to build it even greater, to add to it, and to use the things which can inspire you from that tradition,’ Cheika said at his unveiling.
‘I believe that even though the club might have that identity based around gritty, aggressive forward play, which suits me down to the ground, they’ve also got a strong history of playing with some outstanding backs for many years — a different type of backline play which maybe we haven’t seen as much of recently. To win at the top level you need to have many strings to your bow. That’s what we’re trying to do to be able to compete for the titles on both fronts. I want to win the Championship.’
Cheika left Argentina after taking them to the semi-finals of last year’s World Cup and he has hinted that Leicester will play a slightly different style to the one the club’s supporters have been used to.
He has been busy stamping his mark already, in between brief trips back to Paris to pick up his belongings. Cheika’s family have returned to their native Australia without him.
Mail Sport understands Leicester’s players have been impressed with Cheika’s methods so far. With a month to go until the new campaign, pre-season preparations have been ramped up.
Cheika has introduced one-on-one wrestling sessions and tug of war competitions into the Tigers’ training regime, both of which have been very competitive. In one wrestling battle, full back Mike Brown ended up bleeding from the ear as he took on England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet.
Cheika’s engaging personality has also been well received. He has been keen to get to know all of his players and on the day of his unveiling he was seen in passionate discussion with England forward Ollie Chessum who is returning from injury.
Leicester’s coaching change leaves them playing catch-up, just a month before the Premiership kicks off. But they are fortunate in that in Cheika they have a man of huge knowledge who should be able to ensure his team hit the ground running. They travel to Exeter on September 21 for their league opener.
Ben Youngs, who is recovering after a heart scare, is looking forward to working under Cheika
‘I’ve been used to having big turnarounds — that’s been my speciality,’ admitted Cheika, whose colourful character and presence in the Premiership should boost the league’s profile.
‘This is not as big a turnaround. I’m working hard on this group to improve around mentality and habits because I definitely believe the quality of player is there.
‘There is plenty to work with and we will all work together to build that consistency. I think my experience helps. I have seen a lot of different levels and I have seen a lot of players. I have been around a lot of different technology and advancements in the game. I think already we can feel a little bit more stable.’
In young and talented England forwards George Martin and Chessum, Argentina hooker Julian Montoya and Tommy Reffell of Wales, Leicester have the basis of a formidable pack even though No 8 Wiese, who has been such a consistent performer, has moved to play in Japan.
The signing of Wales prop Nicky Smith could also prove canny as he is a strong scrummager. Smith has joined from the Ospreys and bizarrely continues to be overlooked by his national boss Warren Gatland. He will want to prove a point at his new club.
In the backs, South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard will miss the start of the season because of his international commitments in the Rugby Championship.
But he will be back to guide the Leicester ship soon enough. Like Smith, full back Freddie Steward will be eager to show his worth after slipping out of the England side last season. Cheika will also be desperate to get Anthony Watson fit and firing.
Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs, who is recovering after a heart scare, said: ‘I love this club, so I always want what’s best. I want the club to be as successful as possible.’
Youngs recently needed surgery after being diagnosed with arrhythmia — a type of irregular heartbeat
Youngs, England’s most-capped men’s player, needed surgery after being diagnosed with arrhythmia — a type of irregular heartbeat that causes the organ’s upper chamber to beat fast or erratically. It led Youngs to collapse in a training session.
‘Anyone that left Leicester wants to go and set their own, new history,’ said Youngs, 34. ‘And for this year, we want to set our own.
‘When you get someone with the pedigree of Michael in, it speaks volumes of the club, the roster it has, the support we get and the league. I think it’s brilliant.
‘I’m looking forward to working under Michael. He has a way of playing. He knows the way he wants things and that’s reassuring as a player. You can get behind that straight away.’