'It makes me feel horrific... we don't sleep, we worry' - rookie boss Geordan Murphy is feeling the strain

Geordan Murphy has admitted to countless sleepless nights as Leicester try to find a solution to the crisis that had dragged them into the Premiership relegation battle. 

The former Ireland and Lions full-back, who only took up the head coaching reins at the Tigers in September following the sacking of Matt O’Connor, would have felt Leicester had a strong enough squad to steer clear of the basement battle. 

However, a recent run of just one win in five matches, combined with improved results for bottom team Newcastle and 11th place Worcester, have dragged Tigers far too close to the drop zone for comfort. 

Just five points is all that separates them from Falcons and they face a massive test of their character in their next outing when they host leaders Exeter at Welford Road on April 6.  

"It makes me feel horrific," said Murphy when he addressed local Leicester media at his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “It’s the toughest thing I have ever experienced in my life. It’s not pretty.

(Continue reading below...)

"For someone like myself, and the other coaches in the room, we’re dedicating our lives to it. It isn't something we do on a Tuesday and Thursday and walk away from it. 

“This is our lives so it affects our home lives, our family lives, our personal lives. We don't sleep. We worry. It’s a sport but it means so much to all the people involved. It is tough.

“We have been under pressure all season. We have not performed anywhere near as well as we could. It’s a tough one. We will mix training up this week and try a couple of different things try and take a little bit of pressure off the lads with relation to going out and playing.

"It's been a tough season but no excuses - we just have to keep on it,” continued the rookie Tigers boss whose latest setback was last Friday’s 15-29 home loss to Northampton. 

“It's probably the worst period in Leicester Tigers history and to be in charge, having played knocking on 350 times for the club, is a tough one to take.

"It wasn't ever going to be easy. Hopefully I'll learn great things from it and I just want to keep fighting and doing the right things.”