Leicester sack director of rugby Cockerill

Leicester have sacked long-serving director of rugby Richard Cockerill and head coach Aaron Mauger will replace him on an interim basis, the Premiership club said on Monday. The Tigers lost their last two games against Exeter and Saracens to drop out of the playoff places and fall 15 points behind league leaders Wasps. "It is with great sadness and regret that I leave my position as director of rugby with immediate effect," Cockerill said in a statement on the club website.