The Tigers face the first of two finals on successive weekends when they clash with London Irish in the Guinness Premiership showpiece at Twickenham on Saturday.

A week later they collide with Leinster in a bid to reclaim the Heineken Cup crown they last won in 2002.

The Tigers have reached the Premiership final for the last four years, winning just once in 2007, and head coach Cockerill knows trophies are the true gauge of success.

"This team has got to be there or thereabouts when comparing with past Leicester sides but we haven't won anything yet. I tell the players that every day," he said.

"Is this the level we're happy at? We've reached two finals, is that our season?

"The players are up for the battle, in fact I need to temper them a bit."

Cockerill took over at Welford Road in November following the departure of Heyneke Meyer on compassionate grounds and Leicester have flourished under his guidance, moving within two wins of the double.

The former England hooker was named the season's top director of rugby at the Premiership awards ceremony last week and he admits he has made better progress than expected.

"My greatest achievement this season has been preventing it from going belly-up," he said.

"We weren't in trouble but we were in fifth or sixth place and everybody's going 'the pressure's on you'. I thought 'thanks for that' and got on with it.

"You make big calls and hope they're right. By and large it has worked out so far.

"I suppose things have worked out better than I expected but we have good players.

"You can be the best coach but without good players you won't get anywhere.

"One of the things that has changed since then is that we want to play with the ball in hand more and use the skills that we've got."