Captain Tom chasing glory finish to year of progress
LEICESTER’S quarterfinal clash with Castres today was cancelled after three of the French side’s players tested positive for coronavirus.
Tigers go straight into the semi-finals and will face Toulon on Saturday at Stade Felix Mayol after medical advice saw the Top 14 side forfeit the match.
A member of the Castres staff tested positive, as well as the three players.
“The decision followed a meeting of a medical committee, comprising medical leads from the unions, league bodies and both clubs,” European Rugby said.
A Leicester statement added: “It is disappointing to reach this position after all of the hard work put into restarting fixtures in the professional game across Europe, but safety and wellbeing must come first.
“We wish a full and speedy recovery to anyone affected at Castres and send them our best wishes for the rest of the season.”
Leicster skipper Tom Youngs had been keen for action to build on last week’s Premiership derby win over Northampton.
He insists improvements under “challenging” new head coach Steve Borthwick are clear as his side aims for European glory.
Last week’s win over Saints went some way towards appeasing discontent among Tigers fans who want a return to the glory days.
Youngs told
“Inside the circle it’s been good, outside of it I’m not too fussed with what people think because I know the direction we’re going is good.
“I think we’ve shifted a lot. Results will come but in the environment there’s a really good vibe, training is testing and tough and Steve is certainly making it very challenging, which is fantastic because you’re only going to get better when it’s uncomfortable.
“The way we’re working, you can see in games that we’ve been fighting to the end. Fitness levels have improved and training’s very competitive – if you make that harder than the game, the games become easier and that’s where we’re beginning to see gains.
“There are things we’re still addressing. One of which is discipline after we had three yellow cards against Saints, which is frustrating, but at the same time Steve’s demanding we learn as quickly as possible and I feel we’re getting better every day.”
Leicester mixed and matched their team throughout the Challenge Cup pool stages and Youngs saus many of their younger players will get an opportunity to claim silverware.
He said: “We’ve used mixed sides during the tournament which have got us to here and we’re now playing knock-out rugby which is great experience for the whole squad, not just the 23 who go out there but for everyone in general around the preparation for it.
“It’s a learning experience for the entire group that will only make us better and it’s a different mindset to the last few weeks where you’ve got two league games a week and two different squads – it’s one-shot, that’s it, and if you don’t win, you’re out.
“It’s been very pleasing how things have been building, so let’s see where we are and chase this trophy.”