Shillcock Highlights Michael Cheika’s Crucial Impact on Leicester Tigers and Himself

Leicester Tigers stand-off Jamie Shillcock, who has now accumulated 35 Premiership appearances for the club, attributes a significant influence to Michael Cheika on both his personal performance and the team’s promising start to the 2024-25 season. Two years ago, Shillcock, formerly with Worcester Warriors and Bath, was in the process of adjusting to his new life at The Recreation Ground following an abrupt conclusion to his time at Sixways. Shillcock, who notably debuted for the Warriors as a 17-year-old schoolboy in May 2015, was among the fortunate individuals at Worcester. He was one of the initial redundant players to be signed, first by Bath, then by the Japanese team Mitsubishi DynaBoars, before returning to England to join the Tigers for the 2023-24 season, a period during which he also earned his first international call-up for England A. The 27-year-old remains the secondary choice at fly-half (number 10) at Welford Road when Handre Pollard is available after international duties. However, Cheika’s confidence in him has enabled Shillcock to showcase his abilities in the Premiership Cup during the South African’s absence. “With previous coaches, I felt I was always there if needed,” Shillcock told BBC Radio Leicester. “But Cheiks has pushed me from the start of the year to believe in myself more.” “He’s told me I’m there because I’m good enough. I know now I’m there because he believes in me and I’m not just filling in space.” As the Premiership resumes following the international break, the Tigers are preparing for Sunday’s trip to Sale, currently positioned second behind league leaders Bath. Shillcock attributes this performance entirely to what he refers to as “Cheik’s effect.” “We’re so more clued up with the direction we want to go in,” he added. “It’s all the little detail.” “We haven’t played some of the rugby we’d have wanted to yet but we’ve still won five from six in the Prem and we’ve only lost to Bath – and we should have won that.” “We just all feel more connected. It’s not just the forwards and the backs all doing their own thing. “The way we handle the ball now, everyone’s adapting. Everyone now feels more confident enough to take the ball in hand.” “We’re in a good spot and it’s important not to take our foot off the pedal.” Jamie Shillcock’s comments were made during an interview with Adam Whitty of BBC Radio Leicester.