Leicester Tigers have to raise the bar warns Matt O’Connor

  • Exeter, Saracens and Wasps finished above Leicester in the last two seasons
  • Leicester failed to beat the three clubs home or away last campaign
  • Head coach Matt O’Connor warned his team must improve to be successful
  • Leicester have begun the season poorly losing to Bath and Northampton
  • The Tigers currently sit eighth in the Premiership with just nine points 

Leicester Tigers should forget about lifting trophies if they cannot end their curse against the Aviva Premiership’s top sides, according to head coach Matt O’Connor.

Exeter Chiefs, Saracens and Wasps have finished above Leicester for two seasons in a row and the Tigers did not beat any of them home or away in the league last season.

In fact you have to go back to March 20, 2016 for their last win against that top trio – a 21-13 victory over Saracens.

Leicester Tigers have struggled to get the ball over the line when it really matters

The Premiership side have finished below Wasps, Exeter and Saracens  two seasons in a row

The Premiership side have finished below Wasps, Exeter and Saracens two seasons in a row

In the 2015-16 season they managed three wins in seven attempts against those best three in the league, two triumphs coming when internationals were away during the Six Nations.

So with champions Exeter visiting Welford Road on Saturday, O’Connor urged his Tigers to rip up the form book.

Leicester have already got off to a poor start losing to Bath and Northampton

Leicester have already got off to a poor start losing to Bath and Northampton

‘We have been off the pace against the top sides,’ he said. ‘If you talk about winning things you have to beat the teams at the top of the (Aviva) Premiership.

‘From our perspective it is a great challenge to have Exeter so early in the season – we will know where we are come Saturday night.’

The Chiefs are back on top of the table after beating Wasps at home on Sunday.

Leicester have flattered to deceive and sit eighth having recovered from defeats to Bath and Northampton by beating Gloucester and Harlequins. And O’Connor knows a feisty afternoon awaits against Exeter.

But head coach Matt O'Connor insists this must change if they are to challenge for trophies

But head coach Matt O’Connor insists this must change if they are to challenge for trophies

‘It’s going to be pretty tasty and confrontational,’ he said. ‘It can’t not be the way Exeter play, they would back themselves in the arm-wrestle. They try to bully the opposition – it is going to be important for us that we aim up physically.

‘They are a top side and champions for a reason; they are very efficient, work hard for each other and don’t make many mistakes.

‘We were below standard and really disappointed with our performance and how we fronted up against Northampton. That was unacceptable.

‘The lads drove that (recovery) really hard, we needed to be better. Thankfully we have had two good results but we need to be a bit better again against the champions of England on the weekend.’ 

And believes this Saturday's clash with Wasps is the perfect opportunity to begin a challenge

And believes this Saturday’s clash with Wasps is the perfect opportunity to begin a challenge

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