It is seven years since Leicester reached the European Cup final and if they are to end that run against Racing 92 in Nottingham on Sunday, they will need to do what few teams have managed in the last 15 years and shackle Dan Carter.
Toulon tried and failed in the quarter-final in Paris, sending Carter’s fellow New Zealander Ma’a Nonu down his channel, but the fly-half’s poise and control in the final quarter proved a decisive difference between the sides.
Richard Cockerill said: “We want to get on the front foot but Dan Carter has played a lot of rugby at the highest level and he is not shy physically.” The Leicester director of rugby added: “Many teams over the last decade will have tried to run over him and he has dealt with that. He is a very important player for Racing but it would be naive to say we will put him off his game.”
Leicester’s attack coach, Aaron Mauger, knows Carter well, having played outside him for the Crusaders and the All Blacks. The Tigers’ line speed in defence was impressive at Northampton last weekend and they will again look to deny their opponents time and space, and force Carter to make up his mind in a hurry.
“Aaron understands how Carter plays but in the heat of battle that goes out of the window,” Cockerill said. “If we just focus on Carter, they will hurt us elsewhere. We know what we want to do and we will see if it is enough against a team of quality. Even with their rock-star players and budget – we never tried to sign Carter because our pockets are not that deep – we have a side capable of beating them.”
Leicester have no injury concerns and have been boosted by the return to fitness of their England centre Manu Tuilagi, who spent 15 months on the sidelines with a persistent groin injury.
“Manu is getting back to where he was,” Cockerill said. “He is 90% there. His match fitness is getting better, he is dropping his weight and he is getting his sharpness back. He will be bang on for England’s summer tour. We are trying to manage his weight from a muscle density point of view: Samoan guys are naturally heavy, not fat.”
Tuilagi said he was enjoying playing again, with Mauger having revolutionised the club’s style. “We have an exciting backline, not reliant on one person. We all do our individual work and it comes together. Aaron wants everyone to play, forwards and backs, and have the skill to use the ball. We have been throwing it around and playing with a nice flow.”
