Leicester Tigers kick-off their 2013/14 at home to Worcester Warriors on Sunday, September 8 before travelling to Bath Rugby in Round 2 for the first away game of the campaign.
And with home games against newly-promoted Newcastle Falcons, neighbours Northampton Saints and 2012 champions Harlequins in the opening seven rounds, plus away trips to Exeter Chiefs and London Wasps, Kitchener predicts another tough Aviva Premiership campaign.
Kitchener says: “There are some very good teams and the Aviva Premiership is going to be very tough, as always.
“We know that every game is going to be hard-fought but this is what we work hard for.”
As Tigers prepare for their first fixture of pre-season next week against Montpellier in Geneva (Friday, August 9), Kitchener revealed that training through this summer’s heatwave has meant that the squad actually looked forward to their post-session ice baths!
“The ice baths have been getting a lot more use than they have ever done with people actually wanting to get into it!” says the England Saxons second row.
“It’s been tough but you can’t complain at a bit of sun because there will be enough rain during the year so you make the most of it.”
