Mallinder laughs off ‘rubbish’ from Leicester Tigers

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill has once again been vocal in the build-up to the east midlands derby, claiming all the pressure is on Saints and saying Mallinder’s men are more concerned about beating their rivals than winning the Aviva Premiership title.

Friday night’s meeting at Franklin’s Gardens will decide which club earns a place in the Twickenham showpiece on May 31, with Saracens or Harlequins, who scrap it out at Allianz Park on Saturday, to provide the opposition.

But while Cockerill has once again been engaging in mind games in a bid to get his side to a 10th successive Premiership final, Mallinder is keen to laugh off his opposite number’s approach.

“We don’t read any of that,” said the Saints boss.

“It’s rubbish. We’re just concentrating on getting our own house in order, that’s the main thing.

“You only listen to what you want to listen to and read what you want to read. We don’t get involved in that at all.

“We don’t talk about it, don’t even read it to be honest. It’s rubbish.”