Jump to Main ContentJump to Primary Navigation
leicestertigers.comMattioli Woods Welford RoadContact UsTopps Tiles
News

Croft leads Twickenham return

Figure image
Tigers' Sevens captain Tom Croft is looking forward to a return to the big stage at Twickenham for the Middlesex Sevens on Saturday - and another good performance there.

"It's a great day and a great event," said Croft who was Tigers' man of the tournament as the team reached the final last season and also scored a try at Twickenham in the EDF Energy Cup Final win over the Ospreys. "It's like the starting post for the new season. There are obviously the pre-season matches, but this is the first on the big stage. I'm really looking forward to it and I think most of the boys are as well.

"We did well last year but hopefully we can even better this time around. Two years ago we got to the semi-finals and last year we reached the final so, hopefully, this year might be the one where we finally win it."

Croft, who impressed for the 15-a-side team during last season's Double-winning campaign, is well aware of the differences between the two versions of the game, although the ultimate aim remains the same.

"It's is very different from playing 15s," he said. "You can't run around like a headless chicken for 14 minutes and play a whole tournament so there's a lot of strategy in terms of when to hold off, when to fly in and then, attacking-wise, it's a lot to do with the individual skills of the players.

"Every team takes it seriously every year. There won't be a team out there that won't want to win it and it's the same for us. We'll use it as a conditioning session but we also want to come away with some silverware."

Tigers begin their tournament against London Irish at 12.55pm before facing Bristol at 2.15pm. The quarter-finals get under way at 3.05pm with the semis kicking off at 4.45pm and the final due to start at 5.55pm.

Middlesex Sevens tickets will be on sale from the kiosk in the West Car Park at Twickenham from 10am on Saturday for any supporters who have not booked in advance.

Leicester Tigers squad:
Tom Croft (captain)
Ben Pienaar
Jordan Crane
Robert Bell
Ben Youngs
Billy Twelvetrees
Will Lawson
Ayoola Erinle
Rickie Aley
Chris Mundy
Vavae Tuilagi
Will Hurrell