'The Premiership standard is going up and up'

Mick Cleary How has season been at the sharp end: tougher than ever and more competitive? Jim Mallinder (Northampton) It hasn’t been tougher than I imagined, it has lived up to expectations.

I knew that it would be really difficult to defend our title.

MC Would you agree with that Richard? Leicester have more experience than anyone.

This is the 11th successive appearance in the play-offs.

Richard Cockerill (Leicester) Historically there would be four or five sides capable or making it through, now there are seven or eight, nine really for that is where Gloucester finished.

The la…