Leicester boss Richard Cockerill has criticised the British and Irish Lions management over their handling of injuries to centre Manu Tuilagi and scrum-half Ben Youngs.

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The duo are set to miss the Tigers’ Aviva Premiership opener with Worcester at Welford Road due to nerve damage in their shoulders.

“We are still looking after Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi after they came back from the Lions tour with injuries,” Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury.

“They played in Test matches and midweek matches when they were not really fit to play.  They have come back with shoulder issues. I am hoping they will be fit for this weekend but at this point, I don’t know. It’s obviously very frustrating.”

Youngs started for the Lions the second Test against Australia in Melbourne, while Tuilagi injured his shoulder in  a tour match against the Reds but he was amongst the replacements for the third and final Test in Sydney.

Cockerill said their possible unavailability for this weekend’s match was hard to take.

“It’s frustrating because you watch them play for somebody else’s team and they come back and can’t play in your team,” he added.  “They were allowed to play for the Lions but our medical team are unhappy to clear them to play because they both have some nerve issues in their shoulders. “The injuries are already long-term ones if you remember when the Lions tour finished.  “They have not been able to play for us up to this point. Hopefully, they will be able to play soon.”