Cockerill happy with preparations

Cockerill took over as head coach of Leicester in April 2009

Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill believes retaining a nucleus of the club's players has helped his pre-season preparations.

Cockerill told BBC Radio Leicester: "It's the first time in two years we've had the same coach and pretty much the nucleus of same players.

"We can start ahead of where we were last year because you haven't got to start from scratch with new ideas."

Tigers begin their new Premiership season at Sale on Friday, 4 September.

Cockerill added: "It's a tough start with two away games as we go to Sale and to Harlequins. Then it's Newcastle home and Bath away so we need to be right.

"We regard ourselves as one of the biggest clubs in the world. We've got a great stadium and a great squad.

"We are the champions of England so we have a big responsibility to keep those standards."

Cockerill revealed there would be no more player movement before the start of the season.

"We're done with people coming and going. There's no significant signings to come in that regard. We've signed the ones we wanted and we're very happy with those."

Meanwhile, Tigers flanker Ben Herring is to join the coaching team at Welford Road after retiring at the end of last season.