Steward: Wiggy's the main driver

RICHARD Wiggles- worth, the Leicester interim head coach, is not happy taking the plaudits for Tigers’ resurrection but Freddie Steward is happy to big him up.

- ADAM HATHAWAY

The full-back was in the dressing room, in December after the 23-16 win over Clermont, when boss Steve Borthwick and his defence guru Kevin Sinfield told the squad they were jumping ship to take England jobs.

Scrum-half Wiggles-worth, right, had to hastily quit playing, after an appearance off the bench against the French side, to take the reins in the Midlands.

And the club were going into tailspin after a run of three Premiership defeats, made worse when they were beaten 19-18 by Northampton at Welford Road.

Then six wins on the spin propelled Tigers into today’s semi-final clash with Sale and a shot at getting the chance to defend their crown at Twickenham in a fortnight.

Wigglesworth, 39, has heaped praise on his squad for their rise from the ashes but Steward insists he has been the main driver. “When the initial announcement was made, there was a bit of shock and frustration,” said Steward.