Investec Champions Cup: Dan McKellar 'frustrated' by manner of Leicester's loss - 'Good is not good enough'

Leicester Tigers head coach Dan McKellar admitted his side have learned what it takes to win at the highest level of club rugby after being beaten 27-10 by Leinster in the final round of Investec Champions Cup pool games.

The Gallagher Premiership side got off to the perfect start with a converted Hanro Liebenberg try and a Handre Pollard penalty putting them 10-0 to the good after 20 minutes at Welford Road, but the four-time champions responded to seal a comfortable win on the road.

Tries from Joe McCarthy and Jordan Lamour, as well as a Harry Byrne penalty, meant Leinster went in at the break with a 15-10 lead, before second-half scores from Dan Sheehan and Caelan Doris secured the bonus point.

With four wins from four, Leinster guaranteed their place at the top of Pool Four and a home tie in the last 16.

For Leicester, a second successive defeat leaves them third and at the mercy of other results if they are to progress.

“I’m frustrated,” said McKellar. "We all are, more for them [the players] than with them really.

“We spoke a lot about it being a Test match, about coming back into the sheds and knowing we turned up for each other and our supporters and we did that.

“I think we probably beat most teams tonight with our performance, but we’ve learned the last two weeks good is not good enough against the top, top teams.

“That’s where this club aspires to be so we know there’s some improving in us to reach that level of consistent performance throughout the game.”

The Tigers lost key players Tommy Reffell and Ollie Chessum during the game but they still had chances to put more points on the board and make a game of it in the second half.

Asked what his side needs to improve going forward, McKellar added: “It’s simple but we’ve just got to cut out errors at key points in the game.

“There’s no specific trend there and we’re earning good field position but whether it’s a missed touch or not taking the obvious option down a short side, we’ve got to be better in those areas because a team that’s been playing together for a long time like Leinster will create moments and usually they’ll take them.”

Leicester return to Gallagher Premiership action against Harlequins on Friday, January 26, live on TNT Sports.

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