Cockerill: We can’t hand Leinster title

RICHARD Cockerill has hit back at Dave Rennie and dismissed his claim that the Pro14 title should be handed to Leinster. Glasgow Warriors head coach Rennie last week called for Leinster to be named champions on account of their stellar season prior to the shutdown. They are runaway leaders in Conference A, winning all 13 games in a flawless campaign which saw them build a 20-point lead over second-placed Ulster. But Cockerill, whose Edinburgh side sit top of Conference B, believes it would be wrong to call time on the season with eight games left. Instead, he has urged the Pro14 to find an alternative solution and would support a straight shootout in the play-offs between the top six teams, which would include Glasgow. Asked about Rennie’s claim, Cockerill replied: ‘That’s his personal view. As you can imagine, it is not one that I agree with. ‘Leinster are a great side. They’ve had a fantastic season to this point. But the beauty of sport is that, on any given day, good things happen. ‘There is no reason why an Edinburgh can’t beat them, or an Ulster or a Munster or a Glasgow. I have no doubt that, on any given day, any of those sides are capable of beating each other. ‘So, for me, if we can get any resolution to the season — whatever that looks like — I would love that to happen. ‘Some way, shape or form around the play-offs, to give all those six teams who are in the play-off places, a chance to potentially go head-to-head and get a champion.’ The Pro14 board met via conference call on Wednesday and calling time on the campaign is not believed to be an option at present. While there is an acceptance that the season won’t be played out in its entirety, there is a desire to find a solution that could see the top six clubs head straight into the play-offs. ‘The Pro14 want to do everything they can to get this season concluded,’ said Cockerill. ‘But we’re in that holding pattern, aren’t we? ‘We’re all waiting to see what the government’s next move might look like.’