George Ford is happy to see his team mates fighting for one another again on the pitch after a recent run of disappointing outings for the Tigers squad.
Speaking after Leicester's European clash with Racing 92 in Paris, the stand-in skipper was glowing in his appraisal of the "attitude and mindset" on display under the La Defense Arena roof.
"First and foremost we're disappointed with the result, but I'm incredibly proud of the lads attitude and performance today," said Ford.
"It has been questioned a fair bit over the past few weeks and we demanded a response, which I think we got in attitude and mindset."
The Tigers haven't registered a win since Round 2 of this season's Heineken Champions Cup, against Scarlets on October 19, and the England fly-half admitted after the more than 30-point loss to Bristol away from home that the players had allowed their heads to drop when decisions went against them.
"It's important that we have that mindset that when things don't go our way, we stick at it and fight"
George Ford
However, after an impressive showing against last season's European runners up in the French capital, Ford was pleased to see discussions during the week in preparation for the Champions Cup clash had been followed up on out in the middle of the pitch.
"Off the back of last week there needed to be a response ... we were disappointed and embarrassed with that and there was always gong to be a response," he said.
"We focused a lot on ourselves this week, on what we want to look like and feel like out there, and make sure we're fighting for each other and showing more unity.
"It's important that we have that mindset that when things don't go our way, we stick at it and fight and when they do go our way, we enjoy it and celebrate it together."
The 25-year-old was a standout for the East Midlands club against the star-studded Racing side and instrumental in guiding his side around the park, which he acknowledged was much improved on recent performances.
"We looked much more dangerous with ball in hand and we stuck at it, getting a bonus point out of it," Ford said.
It will be more than 20 days since their last outing at Welford Road when they welcome the French club to the home of the Tigers Family this Sunday in Round 4 and Ford says the playing group are excited to be back in front of the Leicester faithful for the must-win fixture against a side filled with star power.
"We're all hands on deck at the club ... trying to do our upmost for the club."
George Ford
Looking ahead to the weekend's fixture, the Tigers back was realistic in his appraisal of the firepower Racing possess but confident in the ability of his team mates to counter it with teamwork.
"We're excited about it and excited to get back home in front of our fans after a few weeks away from home now," he said.
"They've got some world class players who do some pretty special things and sometimes things they do are undefendable, but we make up for that with our fight and scramble for each other."
One of several internationals to have featured throughout this year's autumn internationals for a handful of nations, Ford is adamant there isn't one player looking for a break and full focus is on getting the Tigers side back on track as the halfway point of the 2018/19 season fast approaches.
"We're all hands on deck at the club at the moment and after a great five weeks away with England we're all back and trying to do our upmost for the club," said the 50+ Test England international.
"I'm sure Geordie has some plans along the line to give guys breaks, but I'm sure you won't see any of the international lads going in to ask for time off."
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