Jamie Gibson aims to kick-on again at Leicester Tigers in the face of fierce competition across the back row.
Gibson enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last year in his first season at Welford Road. The 23-year-old made 26 appearances in his debut season at the club, scoring three tries and was voted Newcomer of the Year at the End of Year Awards by Tigers supporters.
But with Tom Croft making a comeback from injury towards the end of last season and Tigers adding Italy international Robert Barbieri and Laurence Pearce to a squad which already includes the likes of Jordan Crane, Steve Mafi, Pablo Matera and Julian Salvi, Gibson acknowledges competition is as fierce as ever.
“At this stage it’s very much about kicking on again,” says Gibson. “I want to keep improving.
“In some ways you all start again. You’ve got Crofty coming back, Steve Mafi here, Julian Salvi and some of the best back row players in the world so my aim will be to play as much as possible and play as well as possible.
“Last season was everything I could have possibly hoped for. Coming to Leicester, playing as much as you can and playing in the big games. I got a few chances and I felt like I kicked on.
“To be involved in those sort of games and then to be picked on the edge of England squad for the Barbarians game, it just makes me hungry for even more.”
Gibson enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last year in his first season at Welford Road. The 23-year-old made 26 appearances in his debut season at the club, scoring three tries and was voted Newcomer of the Year at the End of Year Awards by Tigers supporters.
But with Tom Croft making a comeback from injury towards the end of last season and Tigers adding Italy international Robert Barbieri and Laurence Pearce to a squad which already includes the likes of Jordan Crane, Steve Mafi, Pablo Matera and Julian Salvi, Gibson acknowledges competition is as fierce as ever.
“At this stage it’s very much about kicking on again,” says Gibson. “I want to keep improving.
“In some ways you all start again. You’ve got Crofty coming back, Steve Mafi here, Julian Salvi and some of the best back row players in the world so my aim will be to play as much as possible and play as well as possible.
“Last season was everything I could have possibly hoped for. Coming to Leicester, playing as much as you can and playing in the big games. I got a few chances and I felt like I kicked on.
“To be involved in those sort of games and then to be picked on the edge of England squad for the Barbarians game, it just makes me hungry for even more.”
