Borthwick, Genge and Cockerill behind revival

AS a long-time Tigers season-ticket holder, I am delighted our well overdue resurgence seems at last to be well under way.

Although last Friday’s win over old rivals Bath seemed laboured at times with Tigers conceding too many unnecessary penalties, both teams had been forced into numerous changes and the depth of Tigers’ squad was evident.

George Ford – captain on the night – led his increasingly skilful and committed colleagues by example and put in yet another outstanding performance.

Steve Borthwick, as Tigers director of rugby and head coach, must take enormous credit for our dramatic improvement, but the leadership and attitude of Ellis Genge, as captain, cannot be under-rated.

His skill and enthusiasm must act as a catalyst for others and he is being backed up superbly by Hanro Liebenberg as vice-captain, himself highly competitive and another who leads by example.

Ellis thoroughly deserved his place in England’s starting XV for the first international match in the Autumn Test Series on Saturday, when his performance earned deserved praise and he has already been designated a vice-captain for the entire Autumn Series.

Let us hope he manages to avoid injury and becomes a regular England prop for some years to come.

I was interested to read the comments (“Genge is relishing reunion with his mentor”, Mercury, October 30) made by Ellis Genge on his reunion with former Tigers director of rugby/head coach Richard Cockerill, recently recruited to the England coaching team.

Many Tigers fans – and critics seem to have forgotten that it was the oft-maligned Cockerill who recruited Genge in 2016.

The two have always seemed to me to be of a similarly competitive, no-nonsense character and I was pleased to note Genge recorded his appreciation of how Cockerill – his “mentor” – helped him in his early days at Welford Road, doubtless both on and off the field.

I wish them both every success in their new roles.

Robert Kemp, Kings Norton