■ By GARY FITZGERALD

Battle-hardened: Leicester coach Michael Cheika

MICHAEL Cheika is a throwback to the old head coaching days at Welford Road when Tigers had a “strong character and leader” at the helm.
The vastly experienced and well-traveled Aussie reminds academy coach Matt Smith of former bosses Dean Richards, Richard Cockerill, Pat Howard and Steve Borthwick – four men whose determined winning mentality on the field was mirrored by their coaching style off it.
Smith, right, insists Cheika commands total respect of his players and is installing ...