Johnson preaches patience against Leicester

Ospreys boss Scott Johnson has emphasised the need for discipline and patience when his star-studded Welsh challengers launch their Heineken Cup campaign at Leicester tomorrow.

Johnson parades a line-up containing six members of the British and Irish Lions squad that toured South Africa this summer.

But revered European warriors Leicester, Heineken Cup winners in 2001 and 2002 and chasing their third final appearance in four seasons, rarely finish second-best, especially on home soil.

“We know it will be difficult,” admitted Johnson, ahead of the Pool Three clash.

“We know we need to keep our discipline and we may have to grind it out. Both teams have top-line goalkickers, and to give away three points then means you are chasing the game.

“It will be a hard-fought battle. Leicester haven’t conceded too many tries this year, so it will be up to us to do something special to score.”

Despite reaching two quarter-finals in recent European campaigns, the label of under-achievers is often pinned on the Ospreys, given their enviable playing riches.

Johnson added: “The accusation of under-achieving gets thrown at the Ospreys every year, but everyone said that about Leinster until earlier this year, and everyone said that about Munster as well in previous years.

“It’s about perception and reality. To win a knockout competition you need a few things to come together, luck being a big element, and people get used to winning.

“There are a lot of good sides out there who haven’t reached the last four during the six years that we’ve been attempting it, and plenty who would have swapped places with us reaching the last eight in recent seasons.

“The reality is that only one side can lift the trophy next May.”

Leicester flanker Lewis Moody makes his 50th Heineken Cup appearance for the Tigers, while props Marcos Ayerza and Julian White return to starting duties after being on the bench against Guinness Premiership opponents Worcester last weekend.

Leicester head coach Richard Cockerill said: “In this competition it is about putting yourself up against the best of the best.

“We have had a number of very close encounters with the Ospreys over the last four years, and most of those games could have gone either way.”

While the Leicester game is too close to call, Sale Sharks face a Herculean task when they meet three-time European champions Toulouse in France tomorrow.

The Sharks have just a five-day turnaround before their second Pool Five game against Cardiff Blues next Friday night, and rugby director Kingsley Jones has put an emphasis on squad management.

“In managing the squad, I am fully aware that we only have a five-day turnaround after Sunday’s game against Toulouse,” he said.

“And we are flying back straight after the game to maximise our preparations for the Cardiff Blues match.”

Wales international scrum-half Dwayne Peel captains the Sharks, who face Toulouse without the likes of Mark Cueto, Mathew Tait, Charlie Hodgson or skipper Dean Schofield.

In the second-tier Amlin Challenge Cup tomorrow, fancied English clubs Wasps and Saracens both begin their quests for silverware.

Wasps, minus injured England pair Danny Cipriani and Tom Rees, host wealthy Paris club Racing-Metro 92, while Saracens hand a debut to 19-year-old fly-half Jake Sharp against Italian club Rovigo at Vicarage Road.