Richard Cockerill: Leicester Tigers boss does not fear sack

The 45-0 loss to Bath at The Rec was Leicester Tigers' heaviest-ever defeat in the Premiership

Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill says he is to blame for their three-game losing streak - but says he does not fear for his job.

Injury-ravaged Tigers would equal their worst run of form since November 2003 if they lose to Harlequins on Friday.

"Am I under pressure? I don't know. My record stands up against anybody," Cockerill, 43, told BBC Radio Leicester:

"I don't want any, or need any, reassurance about my position."

He added: "I will not worry about getting the sack because it's pointless - I will worry about the game on Friday night."

Tigers were hammered 45-0 by Bath on 20 September and have since lost to London Irish and Gloucester.

Marcos Ayerza, Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Louis Deacon, Ed Slater, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Allen, Miles Benjamin and Tom Youngs are just some of the players who have had spells out already this season.

But Cockerill, who has been in charge of Tigers since 2009, has refused to hide behind the injuries and will not point the finger at the behind-the-scenes medical staff.

"I will not blame the players or the staff or conditioning staff or have a knee-jerk reaction," he said.

"When we lose it's my fault. I should take responsibility for it. If that puts pressure on my position then so be it.

"I am not here to protect my job, I am here to coach the team and be as good as we can be - until someone decides that is not the role for me anymore."

Leicester have not lost three Premiership matches in a row since October 2011. Despite their poor start, Tigers still went on to reach the play-off final seven months later

Cockerill said he had not spoken to chief executive Simon Cohen or chairman Peter Tom about his future - just the "day-to-day business" of running a rugby club.

"I know what I can do and I know how good and capable I am at my job and I will battle through the issues," the former England hooker added.

"If I'm going to start chucking mud at the players and staff and sack one or two people to placate the situation then that is wrong and irresponsible from me. I will stick by my staff; we have good people and good players.

"We have an extraordinary situation that we are in and we will deal with it. That is my job."