Tigers ‘will make good use of our break’
IT’S A CHANCE TO PUT THINGS RIGHT ON THE TRAINING PITCH
BEN White says that the current hiatus in the Gallagher Premiership is something that Leicester Tigers players can take advantage of.
After last Saturday’s loss to Bath, Tigers do not take to the field again until February 15 and, while all the squad would prefer to be playing, White says the break does give them an opportunity to “polish” one or two areas.
“We’re not where we want to be,” the Tigers scrum-half said. “Everyone’s aware of that but everyone is driving in the right direction to get us to where we want to be.
“You do want to get straight back out there, but I think the break will be good for us.
“Again, it’s more time on the training paddock to get things right, eradicate those little mistakes, polish up our line-out, polish up our maul, get people in the right positions – all those little things that people might not see and get that understanding that comes from spending time on the training pitch.”
The action has been relentless since the start of the Premiership Cup in September, with the opening exchanges in the Premiership also played out alongside the pool stages of the European Challenge Cup.
Head coach Geordan Murphy has been able to rotate his squad but the exertions still take their toll on the coaches and players - and there is an inevitable degree of attrition given the physical demands of rugby.
“This has been a big block of games and sometimes, when results aren’t going your way, it’s mentally harder than it is physically but that’s what you have to take as a player,” White said.
“But we understand the pressures on results. This a results-based industry, so we need to keep improving and, while we we’re losing games by small margins, everything’s ticking in the right direction and everyone’s working to get us to where we want to be.”
■ Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership fixture against London Irish will be a 3.00pm kick-off on Good Friday (April 10) at Welford Road.
The fixture has been moved to Good Friday to avoid a fixture clash with Leicester City, who are at home to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on April 11.
Meanwhile, Tigers’ visit to Sale Sharks on February 21 has been selected for live broadcast by BT Sport and will kick off at 7.45pm.