Cockerill - Business as usual

Cockerill: In charge for the rest of the month

The ship is running pretty smoothly, I have just got to steer it from side to side a little bit while he is away.

Richard Cockerill
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Leicester stand-in coach Richard Cockerill insists the Tigers will not be adversely affected by head coach Heyneke Meyer's absence on compassionate leave.

Former England hooker Cockerill - the club's forwards coach - will take charge for the rest of January and a number of key Premiership and Heineken Cup games which could help decide their season.

Cockerill told Sky Sports News: "We have got a good set-up here, we are well run, we have got some good staff, both coaching and back-up staff and board members, so everything is in place. Heyneke has put everything in place.

"The ship is running pretty smoothly, I have just got to steer it from side to side a little bit while he is away. The win at the weekend (over Bath) helps because if you are winning everything is always better on a Monday morning, so it is okay."

Cockerill also passed on his best wishes to his boss, adding:

"We will just get on with business as usual and support Heyneke with whatever he needs to do. There are some things in life that are more important than rugby and Heyneke has to deal with that and we wish him all the best."

Meyer returned to South Africa after both his wife's parents were taken seriously ill. The Tigers have stated they will allow the former Blue Bulls coach to take as much time off as he requires.