Angry Leicester Tigers hit out at RFU over treatment of Richard Cockerill

Leicester Tigers boss Richard Cockerill is suspended for nine matches over his conduct in the Premiership final (Getty Images)

Leicester have strongly criticised the Rugby Football Union over its handling of the case involving Richard Cockerill, the Tigers' director of rugby, who was banned for nine matches for his conduct towards fourth official Stuart Terheege in Leicester's Premiership final win over Northampton in May.

Leicester will wait for the full written judgement before deciding whether to appeal, but a club statement said: "We are disappointed with the Rugby Football Union's conduct in this matter. There are elements of the way in which they conducted this case which call into question the new disciplinary structure."