Leicester Tigers boss Michael Cheika admits he is still stunned that George Ford was not picked for the British and Irish Lions as he prepares to face him next weekend.
Ford was snubbed by Lions head coach Andy Farrell in his squad announcement for the upcoming visit to Cheika’s home country, Australia, which begins later this month.
Despite missing out, the star Sale Sharks fly-half has continued his very impressive form in the Premiership as he guided his team to victory at Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
That means they’ve locked up a semi-final place and will head to Welford Road to face Cheika‘s Leicester Tigers, who beat Newcastle Falcons in their final round fixture.
Cheika is looking forward to the challenge but was quick to praise Ford ahead of the big home game, admitting he is still stunned that he was not selected by the Lions.
“It’s the semi-finals of the Premiership, so it’s going to be a tough battle and that’ll be good,” said Cheika, who is leaving the Tigers at the end of this current campaign.
“I would expect this is going to be the hardest game of the season without a doubt. They are a top-quality side, they have excellent coaching, and they’ve got great players.
“They’ve got a fly-half in George Ford who should have been on the Lions tour, no doubt, I still don’t know how they didn’t pick him to be honest.
“There is quality throughout the side and we are looking forward to it – it’s the Premiership play-offs, how could you want anything else?”
Looking ahead to the Premiership semi-finals, Cheika was asked whether his team had achieved their targets in reaching the knockout stages which he swiftly rebuked.
“To be honest, we haven’t targeted anything – except winning the comp. Nobody comes into this without the intention to win it. But I never really had a premeditated idea of where we were going to be,” he said.
“I’m really pleased for the fans that they get another opportunity to see the team this year here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and I’m really pleased for the players to have another chance to play in front of their people, their families, here at home next weekend.”
Indeed, the home meeting will give the likes of Ben Youngs, Dan Cole and Mike Brown one final run-out at Welford Road as they prepare to hang up their boots this year.
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