Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond compares Leicester to Manchester United
Friday 30 September 2016 14:35, UK
Sale Sharks boss Steve Diamond has described Leicester as "the Manchester United of Aviva Premiership rugby" prior to Saturday's meeting between the clubs at the AJ Bell Stadium.
Sale beat Leicester twice in the league last term, and victory this weekend would make it three successive victories at Tigers' expense for the first time in 40 years.
But Diamond said: "Leicester are the Manchester United of Aviva Premiership rugby and have a great squad of players who are well coached by Richard Cockerill and Aaron Mauger.
"They are a great side and a great club. They are always there or thereabouts at the top of the table.
"The lads know what is required of them for the game. Games between us are usually very entertaining, full-blooded encounters, and I expect the same will be served up on Saturday.
"Our 34-34 draw last week against Worcester typified our inconsistent start to the season - some great moments in attack and some howlers in defence. The staff and players have been working hard to attain the high performance levels we are accustomed to."
Leicester delivered their best display of the season in comfortably defeating Bath last time out, but Tigers' No 8 Lachlan McCaffrey has no doubt where victory foundations will need to be built again on Saturday.
"The main thing is the forwards have to front up, and if we do our job with the set-piece and our carries, then the backs can play some exciting football," he said.
"I didn't get to play up there (at the AJ Bell Stadium) last year, but I did at home, and we lost home and away, which we were really disappointed with.
"They are a very good team. The forecast is looking quite wet, so it's going to be a physical battle up front. We have to make sure we prepare things right."
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