Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika claims Premiership ban makes him feel ‘not wanted’ after he disagreed with matchday doctor – and reveals players wanted him to copy Jose Mourinho’s laundry basket trick to get around it!

Michael Cheika felt like he was ‘not wanted’ in the Premiership after receiving a ban following his first game in charge of Leicester Tigers.

The Australian was banned for ‘disrespecting’ the independent matchday doctor when he disagreed with the decision to remove skipper Ollie Chessum.

He subsequently had to watch Saturday’s win at Newcastle remotely — spending the weekend in Paris with his wife.

‘It has hurt me but it didn’t hurt the team,’ said Cheika, who appeared before the disciplinary panel last Tuesday. ‘The players asked if I was able to go in at half-time in the laundry basket like Jose Mourinho but that wasn’t happening.

‘I was really disappointed. Initially I didn’t want to participate in the judicial process. I didn’t think it was fair, considering we had three people there vouch for what I said. If I took a ban I would have to take it on the chin. 

Players asked if he could hide in a laundry basket as Jose Mourinho did while banned with Chelsea in 2005 to escape after giving team talks against Bayern Munich 

‘But I knew there would be consequences for my owners if that happened. By participating, you’re validating it. I knew the outcome. I almost felt like they don’t really want me in the league here.’

Meanwhile, Kevin Sinfield will stay as part of Steve Borthwick’s set-up through to the 2027 World Cup. Sinfield’s job will be to improve the skills and kicking of players as well as fulfilling a mentoring role — although he will miss training days during the autumn series because he has committed to a speaking tour. 

‘This new arrangement allows me to keep doing the thing I’m passionate about — coaching and mentoring players — while also balancing other commitments important to me,’ said Sinfield.