Welford

After last Saturday's match at Welford Road all the chat was of Leicester being back in a play-off position after a pretty dismal start to the season, and for those who like the comfort of convention it will have been warming to see the Midlands club's continuing recovery, even if more disruption is just around the corner in the form of the Six Nations.

Sale can be the focal point of Stuart Lancaster's northern exposure | Shaun Edwards 2012

Castrogiovanni was off after five minutes and Cole was pitched into the cauldron at Welford Road against those mighty forwards from the Massif Central.

Dan Cole the tighthead Tiger who is too good to ditch Michael Aylwin 2010

He had read reports about Welford Road and ordered an inquiry to be held.

Twickenham launches inquiry into behaviour of Leicester coaches 2011

But it was Sale, the other scrapping side at Welford Road, that have been interesting me this season, if only for the way in which Steve Diamond has gone about rebuilding a team whose future is vital to the health of rugby in England.

Sale can be the focal point of Stuart Lancaster's northern exposure | Shaun Edwards 2012

"Shut up Deacs" used to be the ironic command at Welford Road.

Reborn Louis Deacon is epitome of England's quiet revolution 2011

Cockerill was warned about his future conduct by the RFU, which had received complaints about his behaviour during the play-off semi-final against Bath at Welford Road last season, while O'Connor was investigated last October after a tirade he launched against the referee Romain Poite during the Premiership match at Saracens was clearly heard over the live commentary on Radio Leicester, which issued an apology to listeners.

Twickenham launches inquiry into behaviour of Leicester coaches 2011

Twickenham has launched an investigation into the behaviour of the Leicester director of rugby, Richard Cockerill, and his head coach, Matt O'Connor, towards an official during the Premiership play‑off semi-final against Northampton at Welford Road on Saturday.

Twickenham launches inquiry into behaviour of Leicester coaches 2011

Think Welford Road or Kingsholm and titanic forward battles are more likely to come to mind but along with the spring has come a bout of refreshingly ambitious rugby.

European rugby up and running thanks to hot spring treatment | Shaun Edwards 2011

A year ago the two sides met in the final and the then Saracens director of rugby, Brendan Venter, was banned from going to the ground, and its immediate vicinity, after being found guilty of using foul and abusive language during a match, ironically against Leicester at Welford Road.

Twickenham launches inquiry into behaviour of Leicester coaches 2011

Cockerill was accused of painting the air blue as he remonstrated with a referee's assessor in the Welford Road stand.

Richard Cockerill ready to make Leicester Tigers roar against Saracens 2011