Leicester’s Richard Cockerill says win at Sale puts Tigers ‘in the mix’

• Tigers win ‘huge psychological bonus’, says director of rugby

• Sale’s Steve Diamond rues trying to close up game too early

• Match report: Sale 30-32 Leicester

Richard Cockerill departed insisting this tense victory had kept his Tigers in the mix for an end-of-season Premiership place. Whether it will prove crucial come May remains to be seen though in the short term it gives the former champions a much-needed confidence boost. Next up are second-placed Bath at Welford Road on Sunday.

Cockerill, Leicester’s director of rugby, remains flummoxed at his team’s poor defence. Last week, following the defeat at leaders Northampton, he reckoned some of his men had gone awol in conceding three tries. This week, after leaking four tries, he witheringly described the communication among his back three – the full-back Tommy Bell and the wings Mathew Tait and Miles Benjamin - as “different”.

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