EDF Energy Cup - : Wasps 'hurting' after EDF Energy Cup exit insists Corry

Wasps 'hurting' after EDF Energy Cup exit insists Corry

27 March 2008, 9:49 am

By Sean Bridger

Leicester Tigers skipper Martin Corry is anticipating another bruising battle with London Wasps at Welford Road on Saturday.

Just seven days after the Tigers made it two EDF Energy Cup finals in as many years at the expense of one of their fiercest rivals, the sides go head-to-head in the Guinness Premiership.

The Tigers’ 34-24 win set up a mouth-watering repeat with Ospreys of last year’s Cup final at Twickenham on Saturday April 12 after the Welsh region emphatically beat Saracens 30-3 at the Millennium Stadium.

And Corry is convinced that Wasps’ pride will be dented following the loss in Cardiff, insisting home advantage will not hinder Lawrence Dallaglio's men.

"They will be hurting. The rivalry between the two sides has been going on for a decade," said former England captainCorry.

"The way we started on Saturday made a statement of intent. We showed what the defence of the EDF Cup meant to us. I was delighted with our attitude.

“We gave away two soft tries but that did not detract from our determination."

The Tigers remain in contention for a second successive double of EDF Cup and Guinness Premiership titles in head coach Marcelo Loffreda's debut season.

But Corry is refusing to get carried away with his side currently sitting behind Bath Rugby and Gloucester Rugby at the Premiership summit.

"We are not thinking about the final nor the rest of the league season," he added. "We shall just be focusing on Wasps again."

Meanwhile, Tigers prop Martin Castrogiovanni believes Saturday's opponents will be an even tougher proposition this time around.

The Italian international has been in fine try-scoring form of late and capped a strong individual performance in Cardiff with a well-taken score.

And the Azzurri prop believes Leicester must up their game if they are to claim the points at Welford Road.

"Next week will be even harder because they lost this game,'' he said. "They will come with the mentality that they have to win. We must put in a big effort and stay focused, we cannot relax because they will bring a big, big side.

"To beat them was good for the team. Over the last few weeks we haven't played great, but the team stayed focused and we played really good rugby.

"It was also important for the club because we still have the chance to win two more trophies.”

Before the Tigers take on the Ospreys there are two other finals taking place , including a National League One showpiece of Exeter Chiefs against already promoted Northampton Saints, making this a truly great rugby day out.

EDF Energy Intermediate Cup: Birkenhead Park v Chester (10am)

EDF Energy National Trophy: Exeter Chiefs v Northampton Saints (12pm)

EDF Energy Cup Final: Leicester Tigers v Ospreys (2.30pm)

Tickets, to include all three games, are priced £45/£30/£20 for adults and £10 for juniors and available from Ticketmaster on 0870 902 0000 or click here.