Wasps cup game matters to us - Leicester Tigers' Brett Deacon
Flanker Brett Deacon has dispelled any belief that Leicester Tigers' clash with Wasps today will be a case of "after the Lord Mayor's Show".
The club and its supporters are still buzzing after reaching the quarter-final of the Heineken with last Sunday's memorable win over Toulouse at Welford Road.
A winner-takes-all clash with the four-times European champions to an LV= Cup pool game with Wasps could be viewed as the rugby equivalent of going from lobster thermidor to beans on toast.
Deacon, however, insists a week of high-tempo training will end with a group of players taking the field desperate to remind their coaches what they can do.
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"We targeted this trophy to win it again and we are still in it," said the 30-year-old, who makes his sixth start of the season this afternoon.
"We are at home so this is a big one for us and, with our position in the pool, we have to win the game.
"There are some guys who have not played since the last LV game and enthusiasm in training has been sky high. People want to show what they can do.
"It's just about getting the detail of knowing each other and our roles in the side. Some guys were rusty on Monday but training has improved as the week has gone on and, by game time, we will be right on it."
There are still a ridiculous amount of permutations to decide what results need to go which way for Leicester to top Pool Two and make it to a second consecutive semi-final.
They are currently bottom of the group on four points with the other three sides above them just one point better off.
And with another round of matches next weekend, when Tigers travel to the Llanelli Scarlets, there is still much that can happen.
For now, Deacon and the rest of the Tigers squad will work on taming their old enemies to keep not only the defence of their crown going strong, but also an eight-game unbeaten run.
A run that, in fact, stretches right back to Wasps' 14-12 win at Adams Park, in November.
"Wasps' back three are traditionally very dangerous and can create something out of nothing," said Deacon.
"They are probably lacking in the line-out a bit with only Marco Wentzel as a main jumper in their usual back five. But in terms of ball-carrying, they have improved a lot.
"Their results this season have been a big improvement on last season.
"But we are at home and we are ready for them," added Deacon.
Wasps have not won at Welford Road since September 2008 when they beat Tigers 28-19 in the Premiership.
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