Leicester Tigers opened the doors to the Oval Park training ground to player sponsors, executive box holders and 1880 members this week in the build-up to the new season.

Club chief executive Simon Cohen and head coach Matt O’Connor spoke to guests who enjoyed watching the team at work on the training field and joined tours of the medical and conditioning facilities as well as meeting the squad over lunch at pitchside.

Cohen said: “It is our privilege to welcome guests to see the work that goes into getting the team on to the field. Our relationships are very important to the club.

“As a business invest heavily in the squad and in a large support staff to give the team the best possible conditions to play and we generate what we spend through sponsorship, commercial partners and ticket sales.

“This is an exciting time for the club with the proposed development of the hotel next to Welford Road but that will not direct funding away from our investment in the rugby side.”