Toulon 'rock stars' playing to Cockerill's beat
The 46-year-old Englishman – who was sacked by the Tigers at the end of December despite bringing them three Premiership titles during his time in charge – has been hired as a consultant till the end of the season by compatriot and Toulon head coach Mike Ford.
The three-time European champions squeezed into the last eight of the European Champions Cup at the weekend as one of the three best runners-up and are fifth in the Top 14, 10 points off leaders Clermont with over half the season gone.
Ford – who was sacked by Leicester's Premiership rivals Bath last season – was brought in by owner Mourad Boudjellal at the end of October after firing Diego Dominguez because of what the comic book mogul termed was dull and defensive rugby.
"It's very different and the polar opposite of Leicester in many ways," Cockerill told BBC Radio.
"I'm going to enjoy it and put everything into it. It's a privilege to coach a side with the names on this team sheet, working with them day in, day out," Cockerill added.
"I've coached against them and I have always thought it was a bit of an odd set-up. But now I am in the middle of it, you sort of understand where they are coming from.
"This group – rock stars as they are – you set them a task and they will work really hard.
"Talk common sense, make sure what you are talking about is relevant to playing and people will listen. Hopefully, I'll do that."
Agence France-Presse
