Youngs confident rugby will ‘kick on’ once the season is up and running again

Leicester captain Tom Youngs is feeling optimistic about the future of rugby union as he and his team-mates step up their preparations for the season restarting.

Premiership Rugby has set a target of 15 August for resuming the 2019-20 English top-flight campaign which was halted in March due to the coronavirus pandemic. Leicester players last week began group sessions under strict guidelines as part of phase one of a training return.

Asked about things that are being discussed away from the field, such as wage cuts and the game’s future, Youngs said:“wewanttohelptheclub, Premiership Rugby are trying to do their bits and bobs and we’re trying to fall in line with that and understand what is going forward from what it is.

“I think rugby is going to change a bit, and I think they will look at season structure, they will look at all sorts, that is what they are doing, and I can only imagine it being positive things coming out of it.

“It might take a knock for a little bit but I can see it kicking on from whenever we get back going again.”

Regarding talks about wage cuts, Youngs, inset, said: “It is a very difficult one because it comes down to individuals and everyone is in different circumstances. I think the majority of it is all going in the right direction. I think some guys have still got some questions and as I said, it comes back to individual things. But we’re back training and enjoying that and trying to work hard as a group and get back to playing rugby again.” The 33-year-old hooker said he felt Leicester had acted appropriately in their approach to the wage issue, adding: “I think it’s a very difficult one for the club.

“They are trying to get the club through a tough spot, like many businesses around the world, and they are making some very tough decisions to do that. I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes making those decisions.

“There’s conversations going on with players and every one is an individual, different matter. But on the whole we’re heading in the right direction and it is going well.”