Michael Cheika says only victory in next weekend’s English Premiership final will be an “achievement” despite masterminding Leicester Tigers’ extraordinary comeback.

A year after missing the finals during Dan McKellar’s only season at Welford Road, fellow Australian Cheika booked their return to the big dance after surviving against Sale 21-16 at home.

The Tigers will now take on Bath at Twickenham for the chance to win their second title in four years.

But for the former Wallabies and Argentine coach, guiding the Tigers back to the final simply isn’t enough.

“This is not an achievement for me – winning it (the Premiership) is the achievement,” Cheika said.

“I don’t want to be a sad sack, but I can’t leave any room for complacency around how well we’ve done to make it.

“I’ve been doing this for too long. You get to a World Cup final, you think about how good that is and then when you lose, it’s the worst feeling you’ll ever have.

“I want to make sure that I leave no room in my own personal performance to allow anything to derail our preparation.”

Michael Cheika led the Tigers back into the English Premiership final with victory over Sale at Welford Road on June 07, 2025 in Leicester. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Should Cheika win, he will cement his legacy as one of rugby’s great modern coaches.

Having led Leinster to European glory almost two decades ago, the Australian became the first head coach to win major trophies in the north and south by guiding the Waratahs to their one and only Super Rugby triumph in 2014.

Now, the 2015 World Rugby coach of the year has the chance to add an English Premiership crown to his incredible record before he sails off into the sunset, having told Tigers officials earlier in the year that he planned on jetting off after just one season with the club.

The final will also represent the last time several Tigers greats, including Dan Cole and Ben Youngs play, while Springboks double World Cup winner Handre Pollard will also leave the club at season’s end.

Youngs, the veteran England halfback, paid special credit to Cheika for turning around the club and convincing him to go around for another season after contemplating retirement.

“Michael Cheika’s been phenomenal, mate,” Youngs said on TNT Sports.

“Honestly, one of the best coaches I’ve come across. What a guy! To be here for one season.

“Honestly, I feel so lucky. I nearly canned it last year, I’m so glad I did another year. I’m so glad I did another year with him, he’s been absolutely awesome.

“This group, we’ll work on the belief and we’ll build towards it. We’re going there to win. We’ve got some great leaders, guys like Handre Pollard, we’ll go after it.”

He added: “You just want someone to come in with some presence and someone you can believe in straight away and he’s certainly that. He’s captivated the group immediately, he’s been there and done and he’s someone you can get behind straight away. What a guy! It’s a shame it’s only one year. But he’s done a remarkable job.”