Dan Cole says the future is bright for Tigers fans thanks to Geordan Murphy’s philosophy to back the young members of the squad on the high pressure stage of Premiership and European rugby.
Speaking at the club’s Oval Park training ground during preparations for this Sunday’s away game in Bath, the England and British Lions front-rower also says the younger players handed opportunities in the senior side so far this season have impressed.
“I think a lot of the younger boys have been getting better simply by being involved in the first team, both training and playing,” said Cole.
“We’ve seen definite improvements.”
"Our coaches do a good job managing the young blokes with their playing and training time to ensure they’re getting better.”
Dan Cole
Cole, who has amassed almost 300 first class appearances for both Leicester and on the international stage since making his senior debut in 2007, understands the difficulty for a young player in the modern game but trusts in the methods of Murphy and his coaching team.
“It’s tough as a young player coming through, because when you get a run of games it’s tough to perform week in, week out to a high standard and it’s equally difficult when you’re dropped in, dropped out as well,” he said.
“Everyone needs to be playing rugby, which is difficult these days, but our coaches do a good job managing the young blokes with their playing and training time to ensure they’re getting better.”
Eight of the matchday 23 to face Bath on Sunday at The Rec, named earlier today, are aged 25 or under and include six players to have come through the Tigers Academy.