Leicester Tigers loss to Saracens a missed opportunity - Michael Cheika

Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika has expressed his disappointment following a narrow home defeat to Saracens, describing the performance as a missed opportunity in their Gallagher Premiership play-off push.

A late try by Saracens hooker Theo Dan proved the difference in a tense encounter that highlighted Leicester’s struggle in key areas of the game.

"I think we got beaten in the close quarters, in the tight play. It’s an area of the game we knew they would be strong at and it’s a fundamental part of the game," said Cheika.

The Tigers boss highlighted specific breakdowns in his team’s play that proved costly. "We got no flow at the ruck, they slowed us down at the ruck and in the first half some of our close quarter tackling wasn’t as good as it could be."

Although the side made defensive improvements in the second half, new issues surfaced at the scrum.

"The scrum struggled today and that’s the first time that has happened to us and we were unable to adjust to grant ourselves the opportunity to take some field position and get back in the game."

Cheika acknowledged the line-out performed well, especially defensively, but pointed to the final moments as a lapse that proved decisive.

"The last play where we give away the try, those are the close quarter actions where you’ve got to be mindful that you have to win to beat a team like Saracens."

The result comes as a setback following last week’s strong win over Northampton Saints. Looking ahead, Cheika is focused on what lies ahead in the Premiership run-in and the importance of learning from the loss.

"Obviously, we’re disappointed for losing full stop never mind losing here at home. The important thing here is to understand what is the situation here that has caused that to happen. Our destiny is in our hands."

Cheika emphasised the intensity of the remaining schedule: "Like all teams, the run-in is going to be pretty rough and rugged so everyone is in the same boat in that regard, probably bar Bath.

"We missed an opportunity today but we will definitely have taken note of what we need to do when you’re going to get in a run home like this because you realise it’s going to be pretty rocky for everyone.

"You need to take the opportunities you do get which we didn’t do tonight but we’ll be ready for the next one when it comes."

Leicester were also forced to cope without England international Ollie Chessum, who was ruled out late due to a lingering injury from the Six Nations. On his condition, Cheika said:

"He’s still carrying the knock he sustained in the Six Nations and although he went through training, got through yesterday, this morning he didn’t feel that great... Hopefully he’ll be back for next week but it’s a bit of an unknown injury around the recovery time."