Tom Youngs says the release of the Gallagher Premiership fixture list gives the players a real focus in pre-season.

Tigers travel to Exeter Chiefs on the opening weekend of the 2018/19 campaign before welcoming Newcastle Falcons to Welford Road in Round 2.

And Youngs said: “Going away to Exeter is a massive test. We will see where we are at and how good our pre-season has been.

“Newcastle at home will be nice to try to get that horror day at the back end of last season off our back. That will be a good test for us as well.

“It’s a great way to focus the group through pre-season and going into the new campaign.”

You can see the 2018/19 Gallagher Premiership fixtures announced on Friday, July 6 by clicking here.