Cockerill backs captain Murphy

Ireland international Geordan Murphy will lead Leicester into Saturday's Heineken Cup final with a ringing endorsement from Tigers coach Richard Cockerill.

The long-serving full-back has led from the front since inheriting the captaincy from Martin Corry and, fresh from inspiring the Tigers to victory in the Guinness Premiership final, Cockerill expects him to lead them to even greater glory against Leinster at Murrayfield.

"We've got a great captain in Geordan," said Cockerill. "He is world class, as good as any full-back in world rugby."

He added: "I think making him captain has galvanised his game even more. He's played even better since he's been captain because he has taken responsibility for the team.

"He's been here a long time so he understands the culture of this club. All the Irish guys we've had here have been good, honest people. What he says about playing the game is worth listening to."

While the 31-year-old Murphy will aim to collect a third Heineken Cup winners' medal as the Tigers bid to equal Toulouse's tournament record, Julien Dupuy will seek his first in what is likely to be his final match for the club.

The 25-year-old goalkicking scrum-half is seeking a release from the final year of his two-year contract because his girlfriend is homesick and Cockerill admits the club may do a deal with Stade Francais.

The form that has kept Harry Ellis on the bench for the Tigers also earned Dupuy a call-up on Tuesday ahead of experienced duo Dimitri Yachvili and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde into France's squad for the southern hemisphere tour.

The former Biarritz number nine has managed to produce the best rugby of his career despite the cloud hanging over his future and he admits that victory in Edinburgh could mark a fairytale finish to his cameo spell in England.

"It would be a great finish," he said. "I try to keep it out of my head but sometimes it is hard because you don't know where you play. I try to concentrate on this season."