Latest news with #GeoffParling
BBC News
2 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Foundations for Tigers success in place
Michael Cheika says he leaves Leicester Tigers knowing it is a club capable adding to its record 11 Premiership titles in the coming 58-year-old Australian's final match at the helm of the East Midlands club was Saturday's narrow 23-21 Grand Final defeat by decorated former Australia and Argentina boss, who was also previously at the helm of Leinster, New South Wales Waratahs and Stade Francais, re-established Tigers as a highfliers in his solitary season at Mattioli Woods Welford Road after they finished eighth in the Premiership 12 months will be replaced by former England and Tigers lock Geoff Parling after the 41-year-old finishes his commitments as Australia assistant coach this summer."I hope they will have some foundations here that they can go on and deliver Championships over the next few years," Cheika told BBC Radio Leicester."The basis of a great playing squad is there." The squad that Parling inherits will be one without a cast of iconic Tigers at Twickenham marked the end of the careers of scum-half Ben Youngs and prop Dan Cole - England's two most capped male players in history, who also shared nine Premiership titles between England full-back Mike Brown, who was left out of the decider, has also retired, while Tigers captain Julian Montoya and two-time World Cup winning South African fly-half Handre Pollard has left the who said after the final defeat that he will "forever be a Leicester fan now", insists the club is "in a good spot" despite the number of departures."You lose some big players but there are some great youngsters coming through at Leicester, and we are always going to be competitive," he in former team-mate Parling, Youngs sees a rookie head coach capable of bringing "fresh enthusiasm" to a club that has already been rejuvenated by Cheika."Michael Cheika has been there , done it and seen it all - he has all the experience in the world," Youngs said."Geoff will be desperate to make an impression because it is his first time as the head guy. And it is a group that has come so close, so they will be thirsty and desperate to come here [Twickenham] to do one better."The three tries Tigers scored in the Grand Final defeat came from players remaining at the club, with two of them coming from homegrown stars in England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet and flanker Emeka Ilione, who earned his first call-up to the senior national side this Tigers and England winger Tom Varndell, who is a match summariser on BBC Radio Leicester, says Parling will need "patience and time to grow" in the role after seeing Leicester come so far in just one season under the hugely experience Cheika."It is going to be tough for Geoff in the first half of the season, he has get to know all the guys, and the players will have to buy into his gameplan, his way of thinking and his coaching," Varndell said. "It's not going to be plain sailing. We must not lose focus that this is a completely new look squad and team, and it is going to take time for Geoff to get the squad to where he wants it."But Varndell says there will be "a lot of positive energy" after Cheika had them challenging for silverware once more."From where they had been 12 months ago to where they are now is incredible," he said."For them to get to the final, I really couldn't have imagined that 12 months ago so the progression has been really positive."The important thing now is how they kick on for next season."
The Independent
13-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Winning mentality will be Michael Cheika's Leicester legacy
Leicester lock Ollie Chessum is in no doubt Michael Cheika's legacy will have a lasting impact on the club, no matter what the result in his final game as head coach against Bath in the Gallagher Premiership final. It is set to be a summer of change at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with former Leicester player Geoff Parling set to take charge after the Australian departs at the end of his one-year contract. Just a couple of seasons on from their last Premiership final triumph, the Tigers finished eighth in a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. The arrival of Cheika – who took the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final and then guided Argentina into the last four two years ago – saw Leicester's fortunes transformed. On the back of a new-found mental resilience, Cheika's men were driven on to second place in the table behind Bath. Chessum, who fought his way back to fitness following a knee injury suffered in an England training camp in October, feels 58-year-old Cheika deserves plenty of plaudits for helping turn the club around. 'We were in a real good spot a few years ago as a group, and we probably lost our way a little bit and that is how you find yourself down in eighth and out of the play-offs,' said Chessum, set to be part of the British and Irish Lions tour to Australia. 'There is no denying that something needed to change in quite a few aspects of our game. 'Cheiks will say we have probably not changed too much technically, but it is just around that mental side and the emotional side of the game is what has really changed everything this year and has put us in this spot.' Chessum, 24, added: 'He just finds a way to galvanise the group, get them to find a real meaning in what they are doing and use that to to drive them on. Our mental approach for the team has changed massively towards games. 'He will say that goes a huge way towards winning, it is just believing you can do it and sort of shocking yourself really with what you are able to do as an individual. 'The way he has changed how the team approaches the game mentally has been a huge part of what he will leave as a legacy.' Cheika has named an unchanged side from the semi-final win over Sale for Saturday's showpiece at the Allianz Stadium, which will see several Leicester players make their last appearance in a Tigers shirt. Club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs will retire while captain Julian Montoya, South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard, James Cronin and Matt Rogerson are all set to depart. Leicester lost home and away to Bath during the regular campaign, beaten 43-15 at The Recreation Ground in May. Chessum knows the Tigers will have to step up to the challenge as Bath seek to complete a trophy treble with what would be the Somerset club's first league title since 1996. 'They don't just play this stylish brand of rugby – they have still got this huge pack that can can break you down physically as well, so they are a great team,' Chessum said. 'We will have to front up on all fronts and be at our best to beat them, but that is the beauty of the challenge and of finals rugby.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Michael Cheika wants trust from Leicester one last time in Premiership final
Australian Cheika will leave the Tigers at the end of his one-year contract, with former Leicester player Geoff Parling set to take charge at Mattiolli Woods Welford Road in the summer. Cheika – who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final and then took Argentina into the last four two years ago – has been credited with transforming the mentality of a Leicester squad which finished eighth in the 2023-24 campaign. Australian Michael Cheika will leave the Tigers at the end of his one-year contract (Andrew Matthews/PA) The 58-year-old, though, maintains the Tigers' progress this season – finishing second in the table and then beating Sale in the play-off semi-finals – is very much down to a collective effort. 'That is a really fundamental part of building teams,' said Cheika, whose Leinster side won the 2009 European Champions Cup before he then took New South Wales Waratahs to the Super Rugby title. 'First they have got to be able to trust each other – we have got to be able to have honest conversations and being prepared to have a fight with each other. All eyes on Saturday. — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 10, 2025 'As long as it is a fight where you are going in the same direction, then you are trying to get the same thing done, that's okay. 'Building up mentally is important and it is a continual workout – you have never arrived at the place you have got to be at, because every time you meet another challenge, you have got to then go and delve into that. 'I have definitely learned a lot from them and I hope they have been able to learn a bit from me.' Cheika added: 'They are playing as part of a team, and in the team, those dynamics are extremely important. 'We are going to need that on Saturday, because we are playing against the team that dominated the league and we need to find a way to master that opponent.' Cheika, though, does not want his players turning up at the Allianz Stadium just to enjoy the occasion – which will be the last game before club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs retire while Tigers captain Julian Montoya and South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard are also set to move on. Will @LeicesterTigers add to their 11 Premiership Rugby titles this Saturday? 1988 🏆1995 🏆1999 🏆2000 🏆2001 🏆2002 🏆2007 🏆2009 🏆2010 🏆2013 🏆2022 🏆2025?#GallagherPremFinal — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 10, 2025 'You work hard to get yourself in a position to have an opportunity at the title, so when it is there, you would be mad not to take it,' Cheika said. 'Together, we have built a good deal. We have improved our mental preparation and our the mental side of our game, the resilience or the grit that we have got in games. 'But you are going to need more than just that as well – you need quality, you need all those things. 'I suppose it is more just about being ready to balance out what is the emotional part and what is the technical part, and make sure you have got both of those clearly defined as to what their use is.'
North Wales Chronicle
12-06-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Michael Cheika wants trust from Leicester one last time in Premiership final
Australian Cheika will leave the Tigers at the end of his one-year contract, with former Leicester player Geoff Parling set to take charge at Mattiolli Woods Welford Road in the summer. Cheika – who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final and then took Argentina into the last four two years ago – has been credited with transforming the mentality of a Leicester squad which finished eighth in the 2023-24 campaign. The 58-year-old, though, maintains the Tigers' progress this season – finishing second in the table and then beating Sale in the play-off semi-finals – is very much down to a collective effort. 'That is a really fundamental part of building teams,' said Cheika, whose Leinster side won the 2009 European Champions Cup before he then took New South Wales Waratahs to the Super Rugby title. 'First they have got to be able to trust each other – we have got to be able to have honest conversations and being prepared to have a fight with each other. All eyes on Saturday. — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 10, 2025 'As long as it is a fight where you are going in the same direction, then you are trying to get the same thing done, that's okay. 'Building up mentally is important and it is a continual workout – you have never arrived at the place you have got to be at, because every time you meet another challenge, you have got to then go and delve into that. 'I have definitely learned a lot from them and I hope they have been able to learn a bit from me.' Cheika added: 'They are playing as part of a team, and in the team, those dynamics are extremely important. 'We are going to need that on Saturday, because we are playing against the team that dominated the league and we need to find a way to master that opponent.' Cheika, though, does not want his players turning up at the Allianz Stadium just to enjoy the occasion – which will be the last game before club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs retire while Tigers captain Julian Montoya and South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard are also set to move on. Will @LeicesterTigers add to their 11 Premiership Rugby titles this Saturday? 1988 🏆1995 🏆1999 🏆2000 🏆2001 🏆2002 🏆2007 🏆2009 🏆2010 🏆2013 🏆2022 🏆2025?#GallagherPremFinal — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 10, 2025 'You work hard to get yourself in a position to have an opportunity at the title, so when it is there, you would be mad not to take it,' Cheika said. 'Together, we have built a good deal. We have improved our mental preparation and our the mental side of our game, the resilience or the grit that we have got in games. 'But you are going to need more than just that as well – you need quality, you need all those things. 'I suppose it is more just about being ready to balance out what is the emotional part and what is the technical part, and make sure you have got both of those clearly defined as to what their use is.'
Leader Live
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Michael Cheika wants trust from Leicester one last time in Premiership final
Australian Cheika will leave the Tigers at the end of his one-year contract, with former Leicester player Geoff Parling set to take charge at Mattiolli Woods Welford Road in the summer. Cheika – who guided the Wallabies to the 2015 World Cup final and then took Argentina into the last four two years ago – has been credited with transforming the mentality of a Leicester squad which finished eighth in the 2023-24 campaign. The 58-year-old, though, maintains the Tigers' progress this season – finishing second in the table and then beating Sale in the play-off semi-finals – is very much down to a collective effort. 'That is a really fundamental part of building teams,' said Cheika, whose Leinster side won the 2009 European Champions Cup before he then took New South Wales Waratahs to the Super Rugby title. 'First they have got to be able to trust each other – we have got to be able to have honest conversations and being prepared to have a fight with each other. All eyes on Saturday. — Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) June 10, 2025 'As long as it is a fight where you are going in the same direction, then you are trying to get the same thing done, that's okay. 'Building up mentally is important and it is a continual workout – you have never arrived at the place you have got to be at, because every time you meet another challenge, you have got to then go and delve into that. 'I have definitely learned a lot from them and I hope they have been able to learn a bit from me.' Cheika added: 'They are playing as part of a team, and in the team, those dynamics are extremely important. 'We are going to need that on Saturday, because we are playing against the team that dominated the league and we need to find a way to master that opponent.' Cheika, though, does not want his players turning up at the Allianz Stadium just to enjoy the occasion – which will be the last game before club stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs retire while Tigers captain Julian Montoya and South Africa fly-half Handre Pollard are also set to move on. Will @LeicesterTigers add to their 11 Premiership Rugby titles this Saturday? 1988 🏆1995 🏆1999 🏆2000 🏆2001 🏆2002 🏆2007 🏆2009 🏆2010 🏆2013 🏆2022 🏆2025?#GallagherPremFinal — Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) June 10, 2025 'You work hard to get yourself in a position to have an opportunity at the title, so when it is there, you would be mad not to take it,' Cheika said. 'Together, we have built a good deal. We have improved our mental preparation and our the mental side of our game, the resilience or the grit that we have got in games. 'But you are going to need more than just that as well – you need quality, you need all those things. 'I suppose it is more just about being ready to balance out what is the emotional part and what is the technical part, and make sure you have got both of those clearly defined as to what their use is.'
