Leicester Tigers’ head coach, Dan McKellar, has offered his insights on the team’s 36-22 loss to Leinster in the Investec Champions Cup round of 16 clash on Saturday night.
Despite a commendable performance, McKellar’s team was disheartened by missed opportunities in Leinster’s score-zone, particularly during the first half when Leinster’s scrum-half, Jamison Gibson-Park, secured a hat-trick.
In his response, McKellar underlined the positive aspects of the game but stressed the team’s unwillingness to accept sentimental defeats, stating, “There were numerous positives in that game for us tonight, but this club does not tolerate romantic losses.”
He recognized that the crucial factor in the outcome was Leinster’s ability to capitalize on their opportunities, whereas Leicester failed to take advantage of key chances. McKellar acknowledged Leinster as a formidable opponent and highlighted the threat posed by players such as Gibson-Park, particularly when provided with quick ball to play off.
Looking ahead, McKellar conveyed the team’s anticipation for an exhilarating run-in within the Gallagher Premiership, with Leicester poised to confront Northampton in two weeks. He emphasized the team’s determination to improve, stating, “We are aware of where we want to be, and we understand that we need to perform better, but we witnessed genuine progress in terms of what we are working on tonight. We have six games remaining, and that is our primary focus moving forward.”
As the Tigers concentrate on the upcoming fixtures, McKellar’s reflections communicate the team’s resolve to glean lessons from the defeat and aspire for enhanced performances in the forthcoming matches.