Cockerill expects big things from Toomua

Editor

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill has backed Australian recruit Matt Toomua to make an immediate impact at the club.

Toomua, whom Cockerill has described as a “great footballer”, will make his Leicester debut on Friday when they face Glasgow in their Champions Cup opener.

"There aren't many second chances in Europe and we need to get something out of Friday night, so we need our best players available," Cockerill told Press Association Sport.

"Matt is a top-quality player. He makes everything look very easy, and there is no substitute for quality. He has only been here a short period of time, but he's a great footballer and he learns quickly.

"Any points in Europe, especially away from home, are vital, and this is not the easiest European pool in which to win away matches, is it? There are no games where you think, 'oh, we will go there and win'.

"If we do go and win at Scotstoun, or against Munster or Racing 92 away later in the campaign, it will be a very good day at the office."