Mauger embarrassed by Leicester’s away form

Editor

Leicester director of rugby Aaron Mauger slammed his side’s away form in Europe after they crashed out of the Champions Cup in France.

Having battled back against Wasps the previous week in the Premiership more of that fighting spirit was expected from the Tigers at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, only for Leicester to fold from the start in a 34-3 loss to Racing 92.

The two-time European champions lost their other away matches in the Champions Cup by 42-13 at Glasgow Warriors and 38-0 away to Munster.

“We’re the Leicester Tigers at home but away it’s hard to call ourselves that,” Mauger added.

“Munster away, Glasgow away and now today – it’s pretty embarrassing.

“We’ve certainly got to be better away from home. I’m passionate about what I do and the guys I’m working with are decent people. A poor result doesn’t change that.

“We’ll get together and although we’re pretty wounded, we’ll stick together and try and front up next week against Glasgow.”

Mauger admitted that Leicester were second best in the contact area and that their defence simply hasn’t been good enough, as Racing ran in five tries.

“It was frustrating and disappointing. We just didn’t front up. Everything we talked about in the week in terms of preparation we just didn’t do,” he added.

“We talked about winning the collisions and getting quick ball but I thought Racing were very good in that area. We weren’t very good there and in defence we let them open up channels.

“With guys like Dan Carter in the team, they’re too good.”