Rough diamond Genge has
TOM YOUNGS might have handed over the captaincy at Leicester but the hooker will be right on new skipper Ellis Genge’s shoulder when the Premiership kicks off.
Youngs took a step back this summer but the veteran of more than 200 Tigers appearances will be making sure the kids are all right while concentrating on his own game.
The 34-year-old took over as captain from Ed Slater in 2016 but Leicester have not made the playoffs in the last four seasons.
And Youngs reckons a spell back in the ranks can help him focus on his own game which won him 28 England caps plus three for the British and Irish Lions.
Youngs said: “I felt it was time for someone else to have the reigns. I have loved doing it but I am getting a bit older and I can’t do all the sessions in the week and as captain you have got to be able to do everything and lead like that.
“Sometimes I was doing the sessions when I would have been better standing on the side to look after the body. I was doing them because I didn’t want to let the boys down.
“You have a lot to think about during the week and on game day. Ultimately you are not thinking about yourself, you are thinking about the team and constantly monitoring your team mates, who is on it or who is not.
“Now I can concentrate on myself and say ‘I am playing rugby today, what can I do for the team?’
“There is a big gap in the group, I am 34 going on 35 and I am in a different
place in my life to someone like Jack van Poortvliet. Ellis is probably a bit more in the central part of it.
“I will still say things when I think it is right. Suddenly you can narrow your vision down and pick one or two players in the week to really help. Gengey has got to look after the team but I can help him by helping one or two players.”
Youngs and Leicester had a six-day camp in
Jersey recently where the players enjoyed a few nights out, on top of training, and aim for an upturn in their fortunes with their new leader.
Youngs added: “Gengey will be getting the phone calls about stuff.
“It was time for him to have a go at it. He came here as a real rough diamond and to better himself and he has done that.
“He is a guy you follow and he leads by example. He will do really well in the role, he understands people very well and as a captain you have got to have that in you. You have got to play like he does and have a softer side to you when you can put your arm around someone and help them along.”
But ‘old dog’ Youngs has been learning some new tricks with the introduction of law trials this season including the goalline drop when an attacking team is held up over the line.
As a master of the pick and drive, Welford Road Special try, Youngs joked the writing is on the wall.
“You get held up on a pick and drive it is a drop out,” he said. “Let’s be honest my game is coming to an end!
“I guess it will up the speed of the game which some people are very keen for and others aren’t.”