Relentless Tigers run in six as Cheika era starts in style

■ By ROB WILDMAN

Leicester Tigers ………….38pts

Tries: Bassett 5, Clare 20, Cracknell 30, Williams 36, Hassell-Collins 68, Myall 75

Conversions: Whiteley 5, Volavola 20, 31, 68

Nottingham………………….. 17pts

Tries: Williams 21, 40; Dickinson 80

Conversions: Parks 80

WILL Wand, one of Leicester’s newbies, summed up this hectic friendly, which launched Tigers’ Michael Cheika era, by saying: “I played for 40 minutes but it felt like 80.”

For the centre who has arrived at the Premiership club via Spalding in Lincolnshire, Cambridge and Coventry, this was another step in a pathway from the junior ranks.

Wand, 22, has the daunting task of competing in a big squad which is now under the command of Cheika, the former Wallaby and Argentina coach, who jumped at the chance in the summer to replace fellow Aussie Dan McKellar.

“It’s been tough so far,” admitted Wand about the Cheika regime. “It’s pushed us all to our limits, but you just have to embrace it. It’s going to be a challenge, you just have to work hard.”

Wand partnered Dan Kelly for the first 40 minutes in a match which saw nearly 60 players involved.

Leicester were given a fair work out, especially in the second period, before scoring three late tries to add to a first-half margin of 26-10.

Nottingham gained plenty of confidence and two first-half tries by David Williams, who had a stint at Tigers, showed their try-scoring wing to be sharp again after finishing last season struggling to shake off injuries.

Craig Hammond, Nottingham’s head coach, describes Williams as “almost un-coachable” and delights at the wing’s foraging play.

Besides praising his squad’s all-round effort, which brought a late try from substitute Jack Dickinson to go alongside the brace by Williams,

Hammond also flagged up the arrival of Swedish international Ale Loman who made a second-half debut at prop.

The 22-year-old is studying in Nottingham and Hammond predicts he will do well this coming season. “I thought he did really, really well. That’s the biggest game he’s played and he came up against a Welsh international.”

That rival was ex-Ospreys Nicky Smith who was another new face in a Leicester line up where Fijian back Ben Volavola, signed from Agen, made the biggest impression including landing three conversions.

The match confirmed the growing links between the two clubs and Leicester have the reserve strength to give Nottingham a push up the Championship table if Cheika chooses to give his reserves an opportunity.

The links were demonstrated by prop Archie van der Flier, cousin of Ireland‘s Josh, playing prop for both teams while French lock Côme Joussain, who made a big impression at Nottingham last season, started in Leicester colours.

Cheika kept a watchful eye throughout and kept his counsel afterwards. Leicester’s media duties went to assistant coach Brett Deacon.

The word from the Leicester camp is that Cheika is determined to return the Tigers to their ‘traditional’ best qualities after a disappointing campaign under McKellar.

Deacon explained that Cheika’s training mantra is to make “every involvement as though it’s your last” and added: “We are just learning lots from him in terms of his experience and energy, he’s outstanding.”

Tigers continue their pre-season on Saturday, at home to Scarlets, while Nottingham host Ampthill on Friday.