Thacker, following in his dad Troy’s footsteps as a Leicester Tigers hooker, played his part in a 39-16 victory over the Ospreys which got the team off to a good start in the Anglo-Welsh competition in front of a crowd of more than 18,000.
“The atmosphere just hits you as soon as you run out of the tunnel,” said 19-year-old Thacker. “I really don’t know where those 70 minutes went, they just flashed past!
“It is exciting when you run out but then you just get lost in the game and focus on what you do. No matter the game is, you know your job and you try to do it.”
Thacker’s only previous senior appearance came in the same stage of the competition last season against Saracens at Bedford and he was delighted to have an opportunity in front of a big home crowd this time.
“You can tell it’s a great atmosphere as soon as you run out and that really lifts the boys,” he said.
“I thought we played well. The tempo was good and that was something we talked about all week. The young lads were told to bring that enthusiasm, and I thought we did that.
“Training all week was good and we brought that into the game tonight.”
Proud dad Troy and the rest of the family were among the Tigers crowd as Harry run out in a squad which included 11 Academy products alongside senior players Thomas Waldrom, Scott Hamilton and Boris Stankovich.
“Dad’s been giving me pointers for the game all week, but he today he just said go out and enjoy it,” added Harry.
