Dolly backs power of Tigers maul to deliver new legacy

Leicester hooker Nic Dolly revealed the Tigers are intent on re-establishing their maul as a weapon of mass destruction, just as it was in the club’s glory days.

Against London Irish, the maul yielded tries for Hanro Liebenberg and Dolly, whose tally for the season now stands at four, to maintain the club’s perfect start to the campaign. Steve Borthwick, the head coach, sighed when various questioners pointed out that the last Leicester team to start the season with four straight wins was Martin Johnson’s 2000-01 double-winning side.

“We will enjoy the night and enjoy the win, but it is a long season and we need to keep building this legacy that the team are aiming for,” Dolly said. “All the Leicester supporters know the Leicester of old and how the forward pack was the dominant force when they were winning all their trophies. We want to win trophies. As a forward myself, I want to lead from the front and that’s what we are trying to do.

“I am just happy to be a part of a forward pack that is scoring tries and we will keep trying to use that as a dominant force for us.”

Another similarity with the Tigers’ most dominant teams is an ability to grind out victories late on. After beating Saracens in injurytime the previous week – again courtesy of the maul – Leicester this time turned to the boot of George Ford, who struck three penalties in the final quarter.

No one was pretending that this was anywhere near their gold standard, but in a sense that is what makes Leicester look so ominous; that they are already looking comfortable winning ugly.