Tigers coach: Let's control our destiny

Leicester coach Pat Howard has stressed the need for his Tigers side to preserve their place in the Guinness Premiership’s top four as defeat against London Irish tomorrow could suck them to mid-table.

Howard’s side are in danger of dropping out of the play-off positions for the first time this season and an Exiles victory, combined with other Premiership results over the weekend, could leave them as low as sixth.

“Our premise is to stay in the top four throughout the campaign. We don’t mind that some teams are getting away up at the top but we need to make sure that we keep winning because that’s part of the culture,” he said.

“If we win this week we remain in charge of our own destiny. As soon as you drop out of that top four, things are no longer within your control. That’s where the difficulty comes.”

Leicester, who have named Andy Goode at fly-half following his substitute appearance in last Friday’s 24-16 defeat by Sale, are unbeaten in their last 10 games at Welford Road.

But Irish, benefiting from a lack of call-ups for the November internationals, have rocketed up the Premiership in recent weeks and boast an impressive away record.

They travel to the east midlands on the back of three straight Premiership victories and director of rugby Brian Smith has challenged his side to underline their title credentials against Leicester.

“We are starting to set some new benchmarks by which to be measured as a squad. If we are to be credible Premiership competitors then we have to be able to go to Welford Road believing we can achieve a result,” he said.

“Leicester are a formidable squad and have plenty of depth. They have a tradition of excellence and their supporters expect their team to win at home.

“In saying that, if we play to our potential I believe we can snatch the win.”

Smith has made just one change to the team which blitzed Gloucester 25-10 last Sunday with winger Scott Staniforth replacing the injured Delon Armitage.

Bath prop David Barnes has urged his team-mates to give head coach John Connolly the perfect send-off by beating Leeds at the Recreation Ground tomorrow night.

Connolly, nicknamed ‘Uncle Knuckles’ by the players, is ending his two-and-a-half year spell in charge at Bath in order to return to his native Australia and Barnes wants his departure marked in winning style.

“We were disappointed to lose against Wasps last weekend. However, we are back at the Rec tomorrow, have trained well this week and are determined to return to winning ways to give Knuckles a decent send-off,” he said.

Danny Grewcock, Michael Stephenson, Andrew Higgins and James Scaysbrook return for Bath while struggling Leeds have named an unchanged squad for the first time this season.

On Saturday, Gloucester host Saracens and Worcester travel to Northampton while Sunday’s fixtures sees Newcastle entertain Wasps and Bristol face Sale at the Memorial Stadium.