Crane wants Heineken Cup success
Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:11
Jordan Crane has set his sights on Heineken Cup glory after guiding Leicester Tigers to the English title at the weekend.
Crane was named man-of-the-match in Saturday’s win over Saracens as the Tigers claimed back-to-back Guinness Premiership crowns.
But now the former Leeds No.8 is determined to taste European success, a year after Leicester crashed out of the continent’s premier cup competition at the group stages.
"When we went out of Europe, it was a big disappointment to the guys," Crane, who was part of the Tigers side that lost out to Clermont and the Ospreys in Pool 3, told the Leicester Mercury.
"It's a massive thing for us and we need to push on next season and compete for two trophies, even three, to be successful. It's a hard place to be."
The Tigers haven’t claimed Europe’s top prize since 2002, four years before Crane moved to Welford Road from Headingley Carnegie.
Successive Heineken Cup triumphs over Stade Francais and Munster in Paris and Cardiff respectively saw Leicester become the first side to retain their title but success has been harder to come by in the years that have followed.
Crane didn’t feature in the 2007 Heineken Cup Final defeat to London Wasps at Twickenham but he did start the showdown with Leinster at Murrayfield two years later.
Leicester finished runners up on both those occasions but the 23-year-old is hoping they can go one better next season, while also making it a hat-trick of English titles despite losing previous Heineken Cup winners Lewis Moody and Ben Kay for 2010/11.
"Lewis Moody is a big loss, Ben Kay is retiring, and Sam Vesty, Brett Deacon and Mefin Davies are leaving," added Crane, following the 33-27 win over Sarries at Twickenham.
"They are good players, but we have to build. The character in this Leicester side is great and, if we don’t do the same next season, it will be a disappointing season.
"It’s an amazing feeling to pick up back-to-back titles, it’s special, and I think a lot of the boys who played in last season’s final would agree.
"We can compete with anyone on our day, as long as we play our game."
With thanks to the ERC
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