Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
watch listenBBC SportBBC Sport
Low graphics|Help
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Saturday, 12 May 2007, 16:58 GMT 17:58 UK
Premiership final



Pat Howard (L) congratulates Dan Hipkiss
Howard (L) is leaving Welford Road at the end of the season
Leicester coach Pat Howard is already looking ahead to the Heineken Cup final after seeing his side hammer Gloucester to win the Premiership title.

Victory over Wasps on Sunday would give Leicester a historic Treble and Howard said: "We've got another one to go yet.

"Winning the Premiership is a lovely moment but we are focused on that other step next week.

"We'll go in as favourites but we have never beaten Wasps in a knockout game and we have to address that."

Leicester were utterly dominant against Gloucester, winning 44-16 in a one-sided final at Twickenham.

I want them to enjoy today and then switch on tomorrow for the Heineken Cup final

Tigers coach Pat Howard

The Tigers were led by their dominant pack while powerful wings Alesana Tuilagi and Seru Rabeni were no match for their opponents.

"A few things went to plan," Howard added. "The players defended their hearts out. They really wanted this.

"Defensively we worked hard, some of our clinical finishing was pretty good, we took our opportunities.

"We played well. It is great to turn out for the big days. We have been guilty of not doing that before.

"We are not a 40-point better side than Gloucester. I think the best two teams made the final and we just played better today.

"It was a very good performance, there were some lovely tries, and to repeat that next week will be a massive challenge now.

Alesana Tuilagi lifts the Premiership trophy
Tuilagi was named man of the match after his two tries

"A few blokes have already talked about next week but I want them to enjoy today and then switch on tomorrow for the Heineken Cup final."

Tigers skipper Martin Corry added: "Things went our way, especially the way we finished the first half. We take a huge amount of satisfaction from that.

"It showed we are dangerous when we have the ball. The important thing was the ball retention."

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan admitted his side were completely dominated, describing it as a mismatch in all areas.

"Today we just couldn't do it, there's no hiding from that," he said.

"The whole game is about mismatch and if you've got that across the field, in reality it was so far across the team it was difficult.

"We were probably stripped of four or five of our most physical players, we've lost physicality across the team.

This is not the end of the journey for this side

Gloucester coach Dean Ryan

"In some ways it was impossible to live with their physicality. We could not deal with Tuilagi or Rabeni in the first 20 or 30 minutes and the stress of that had an attritional value later in the game.

"We didn't have the base game that would compete with Leicester."

Despite the defeat, Ryan was full of praise for his young side for topping the regular season table and reaching the Premiership final.

"This side is 12 months old. I can't hide how proud I am. This side will get better.

"This is not the end of the journey for this side, I'm immensely proud of this achievement to get here so early in their progress.

"We have had a good dose of reality that we are not good enough to win this type of competition but we have also had a massive indicator that this side is moving in the right direction.

"We have been a very competitive and successful team all year."



SEE ALSO
Gloucester 16-44 Leicester
12 May 07 |  English
Gloucester must get physical
11 May 07 |  English
We must outsmart Tigers - Ryan
10 May 07 |  English
Brains and brawn bolster Tigers
09 May 07 |  Rugby Union
Ellis faces World Cup heartache
08 May 07 |  English
Leicester 26-14 Bristol
05 May 07 |  English
Gloucester 35-13 Bristol
28 Apr 07 |  English


RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

BBC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Daily and weekly e-mails | Mobiles | Desktop Tools | News Feeds | Interactive Television | Downloads
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

Help | Privacy & Cookies Policy | News sources | About the BBC | Contact us