Leicester Tigers’ tactics built on New Zealand traditions

It is unlikely to come as much comfort to Munster, but the defence they bashed away at so unsuccessfully on Saturday night was built with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter in mind.

Leicester made a staggering 132 tackles in their 31-19 victory at Thomond Park, a total which was almost double Munster’s tally of 67.

So it comes as no surprise to hear the club’s defence coach, Scott Hansen, is in a rather upbeat mood ahead of the return game at Welford Road on Sunday night.

The New Zealander joined the club from the Crusaders in the summer and his influence is already plain to see.

A decade working with the likes of McCaw and Carter has clearly rubbed off on Hansen, and he has introduced some of the same ideas he perfected in New Zealand to Leicester.

“When you have an opportunity to sit down with a Dan Carter and find out what stresses him defensively, you can’t not learn from that,” he said.

“Those experiences talk to the other guys and you give those lessons to them.

“It is done really well at Canterbury – hoovering the information and being open to learning. That allows a growth culture.

“And we were really happy with the outcome and defensively we made over 130 tackles, so we have some sore bodies.

“We know it will be a very big event this weekend, and a lot of the boys mentioned that the game last week had a Test-match intensity to it. I think when you talk about defence you talk about attitude and strategy.

“Our attitude was really good and the boys can be really proud of that attitude. Strategy wise there are things we need to get better at but when you talk about effort it was a top-level effort.

“Everything about our defensive effort on the weekend was great, but we have to back it up and do it all again.”

Hansen is expecting Munster to be a wounded animal this weekend as they try and salvage their season after three successive defeats.

He added: “I know Munster are a very proud club with proud men playing for it. With our coaching staff we are proud to represent our clubs. We expect Munster to give us everything they’ve got.

“The side that can control the moments and is composed will come away with a win. There is a rich history in the game and very avid supporters and players on both sides.

“When you talk about those big events in rugby, you talk about a Leicester-Munster game and it doesn’t get any bigger.

“It was a great honour to be involved as a New Zealand coach. We understand the history of both clubs, I enjoyed the evening and sense of occasion. It was a great occasion for rugby and I hope it will be the same this weekend.”