At the start of the season you would have got long odds indeed on Richard Cockerill finishing it in charge of Toulon but while it is indicative of the upheaval at Leicester, Geordan Murphy believes the returning Matt O’Connor can steer them towards their traditional place in the playoffs.

O’Connor takes the reins on Wednesday – 24 hours after Cockerill was announced as Mike Ford’s replacement at Toulon until the end of the season – as the Australian resumes the post of head coach he held between 2010 and 2013. He will take training for the first time on Thursday and will waste no time in making his presence felt, according to Murphy, who has been steadying the ship since Aaron Mauger was ushered through the door last month.

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Considering the defence coach Steve Hansen was also sacked in October it is not surprising to hear Murphy describe this as the most challenging season of his professional career. But while a number of players made their disappointment at Mauger’s departure clear, victory at Northampton in the New Zealander’s final match in charge moved them back into the top four, a position they have occupied at the end of every season since 2004.

“In my 20 years of being involved with professional rugby it’s probably the toughest season I can ever remember,” said Murphy, who has been preparing Leicester to face Bath at Twickenham on Saturday. “Matt is slightly different, quite an abrasive personality and he will do a good job. He was very successful when he was here last. He was pretty direct, he’s a brash Aussie and it’s probably a different style to the coaching we’ve had over the last few years.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The former Leicester and Leinster coach Matt O’Connor will return to the Tigers on Wednesday. Photograph: Andrew Fosker/Rex/Shutterstock

“He’s been heavily involved this week, watching games, watching the footage. He’s been in conversation with myself over the phone, back and forth quite regularly. He knows what’s going on. He knows the players, I fully expect him to be on overwatch. Matt is always going to have bits and pieces to say, he won’t worry about burning anyone vocally.”

Cockerill and Mauger both had to contend with a number of long-term injury absentees but while Matt Toomua has played fewer games than he has had coaches, Murphy revealed the Australian centre is in line for a return from knee surgery in time for the playoffs if the Tigers qualify. “Matt’s certainly on track, he’s making an unbelievable recovery and he could be ready for the back end of the season,” he said. “He had an ACL reconstruction but he’s really flying with his recovery, it’s really impressive where he’s at.”

Saracens have confirmed that the Australia second-row Will Skelton will return on a two-year deal from next season after a short-term stint with the club earlier this term. Saracens’ director of rugby, Mark McCall, said: “There’s still so much more to come from him, which is incredibly exciting for us as he is already a proven international player.”