To score your first try for your club is always a huge moment, but Calum Green would rather focus how Tigers can improve after the first three games of the 2020/21 Gallagher Premiership campaign.
The 30-year-old was the midpoint of a rolling maul which saw him secure his first score in a Leicester shirt, as Tigers went into the break with the lead before missing out on the chance to win following a comeback from the Chiefs in Round 3.
“I think we brought a lot of energy and we were off the line well in our defence, it was disappointing that we didn’t come out and do the same in the second half”, reflects the lock.
“But that’s what Exeter do, they grind you down and you’ve got to be a bit smarter with your decisions.
“You can’t be giving away as many penalties as we did and beat a team like Chiefs. If we gave away half of that, we may win the game, so as a team we’ve got to be smarter with our discipline.
“If we can do what we did first half in the second half as well, we will be a good match for most teams."
With the post-match media quick to congratulate him on his try, the experienced Green was equally quick to recognise his team-mates' efforts.
“We want to be known as a good forward team, a team that’s dangerous off our driving mauls, so it’s good to get the try - for myself - but I’m happy to see that the work we’ve done in training is coming off.”
Three rounds in, and Green says there is plenty of work to do.
“I think it’s a step in the right direction, but we’re not where we want to be. I think we’re just getting started really.
“We made a good start against Gloucester, were not good enough against London Irish and we were in the match for a long period against Exeter. There are signs we are improving but it’s not good enough for where we want to be.”
Attention turns to Europe for the first time this weekend as Tigers welcome French outfit Brive in the Challenge Cup on Friday, December 11.
A reminder that this match is not scheduled for live television coverage, but supporters can still follow the action using the Matchday Live service on the club app, as well as previews, updates and reaction on the Tigers website and social media.
