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Crane picks up an early run-out

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Jordan Crane admits he was "itching to get back on the pitch" as Leicester Tigers got their pre-season programme under way at Nottingham on Saturday.

No8 Crane was joined in an experience back row by Jamie Gibson and Tom Croft for the game at Lady Bay Sports Ground, though Tigers also included a number of the younger members of the squad for the opening fixture of the summer.
 
Nottingham ran out 26-19 winners and Crane said: “It is good to get back out there, though obviously disappointing to lose the game.
 
“At this stage, it is about trying to get everybody some gametime and fresh for the start of the season, and getting some experience for some of the younger lads too.
 
“I have been in training from the start of the summer so I was itching to get back out on the pitch.”
 
International flanker Croft led out the Tigers as he looks to put the injuries of 2013/14 behind him, while Sam Harrison and Matt Smith were among the senior players who enjoyed a full run-out after last season was affected by injury.
 
“It was good to see Crofty get a full 80 minutes under his belt,” said Crane. “This game was a tool for everybody who has been in training from the start of the summer to get out there and try to put a marker down and for the coaches to be able to have a look and have something to work from.
 
“We don’t like to lose any game and that is disappointing, but the young guys will probably gain more experience from that more than from winning a game by 50 points.”
 
Tigers continue the pre-season programme against Edinburgh at Melrose in the Scottish borders on Saturday.