Leicester urged to consider benefactor route

Leicester legend Louis Deacon claims his old club were wrong to sack Richard Cockerill and insists the Welford Road outfit must change their financial outlook to keep pace with the Premiership‘s big spenders.
Deacon, who racked up nearly 300 appearances for Tigers during the Noughties, featuring in seven title-winning sides, reckons Leicester’s under-fire board have critical decisions to make over whether to go down the benefactor route.
Leicester have fought shy of single ownership, but Deacon told TRP: “It’s becoming harder for traditional teams and the way they’re run.
“It looks like Gloucester are changing their outlook with a new guy taking charge, so maybe Leicester need to adapt their model as well in order to be able to compete with the likes of Wasps, Saracens and Bath and their rich owners.
“I’m disappointed for Cockers and it’s sad to see him lose his job in difficult circumstances, but it probably reflects where Leicester are.”
Deacon added: “Leicester expect results and to be fifth or sixth in the Premiership and not having won a final since 2013 means they probably felt it was right to make a change, but I thought they were wrong to sack Cockers at this time.
“All the good things about Leicester were driven by him and he’s the last of that generation to be involved in the club, so I just hope they’ve got this right.”
Meanwhile, having made great strides in his coaching career at Birmingham Moseley, Deacon, 36, resumes his involvement with England U20s this week after being summoned for a pre-Christmas camp by boss Dean Ryan.
“My involvement came out of the blue,” said the ex-England lock. “I did a bit of work with Dean at Worcester and he’s very keen to develop young coaches, so it’s a great opportunity to share my experiences of international rugby.”
One player Deacon earmarks to shine is 18-year-old Saracens lock Nick Isiekwe, left.
He adds: “Nick’s 6ft 9ins (1.99m) and he’s probably ahead of where Maro Itoje was at that age. I’m very excited about working with him.”
NEALE HARVEY