If complacency is kicked into touch, this is a should-win

LEICESTER have had a pretty close to stellar start to the season. After three games they have more points on the board than anyone would have dreamed possible and have beaten two of the favourites for top four spots.

True, they have had some luck. Exeter were weakened at the start of the season with international absentees, Gloucester should never have been allowed to get so close and there are those who would argue, wrongly, that the victory over Saracens was ill-deserved, but wins are wins.

Today the Tigers face perhaps their hardest test, because after the way the season has started, the squad could visit Brentford to play London Irish with a touch of complacency.

To do so would be fatal. Whilst the Irish have yet to win a game, a creditable draw against Sale and a very close loss, with an impressive comeback, away to the resurgent Northampton Saints, are evidence of their quality.

However, Leicester have been building an impressive run in the Premiership. While the last three games have raised the profile they have only lost once in the last seven, and that was in controversial circumstances, against Bristol at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, whilst London Irish have been winless in the last nine.

Statistics mean nothing on the day, but those sorts of runs can be confidence-building and demoralising respectively.

Thankfully, if a little surprisingly, Steve Borthwick has gone for what he probably feels is his strongest 15 for the trip, with players restored after being rested for the surprise win over Saracens, so he is determined to make the most of that bonus and build an advantage at the top of the table.

Spare a thought for Nic Dolly, probably fourth choice on paper when signed, who has had perhaps eight minutes’ rest in the previous three games. What a relief that Julian Montoya has returned from the Rugby Championship and is able to provide back-up from the bench.

While most of us would have liked to have seen more of Jack van Poortfliet, there is some sense in getting some game time from the bench for Richard Wigglesworth before he is forced into action when Ben Youngs is away with England.

It’s a long time since we could say it, but this feels like an away game that the Tigers should win.