The Leicester Tigers Development XV are back in action this weekend against Worcester Cavaliers following the team’s first Premiership Shield win of the season over Wasps ‘A’ last week.
Two tries from captain Will Evans and some fine kicking from fly-half Joe Ford set Tigers on their way to a 24-13 win.
The Tigers squad included a mix of youth and experience with the likes of Tonga international Valentino Mapapalangi leading Under-20s caps Tommy Reffell, Sam Lewis, Joe Heyes and Tom Hardwick as well as academy graduates Owen Hills, Thom Smith and Charlie Thacker.
The game also marked a first appearance for the Development team for academy scrum-half Jonny Law, who started the game alongside Ford.
Speaking after the game, Law said: “It was good fun, it was a lot quicker and obviously I was up against much bigger boys. It did take me a little bit of time to settle into the game, but I enjoyed it.
"We deserved to get the win in the end and it was great to see a happy dressing room afterwards.”
The 18-year old was a part of last year’s league champions academy side and is keen to push on his progression.
“The advice from my academy coaches gave was just to try and settle into the game, don’t change anything you’ve been doing and don’t take the environment too seriously," he said at the final whistle.
"I’m not taking anything for granted at this stage, I’m just working hard and letting it take it’s natural course. I’m hungry to play as much as I can and if I get called up again that’s another step forward.
“It my first time playing on the Welford Road pitch too, which was crazy as I’ve been coming here since I was about four or five, so to play on the pitch where all the players I’ve watched play was quite special.”
Tigers travel to Worcester on Sunday, December 23 (1.10pm) and you’ll be able to follow the game with Matchday Live. This will be available via the LeicesterTigers.com website on desktop and mobile and not the official Tigers app.
The match is also available to watch on Free Sports. Find TV Guide information, including channels available to see the game, by clicking here.
