Keston Lines says the Leicester Tigers academy team has come a long way this season since their opening game of the Premiership Rugby U18s Academy League.

Tigers kicked off their campaign with a hard-earned draw against Northampton Saints, a game which Lines said was a huge learning experience for the team.

They have since won every other fixture to top the Northern Conference and set up a final fixture against Gloucester Rugby at Allianz Park this afternoon (Sunday, March 11).

Lines said: “Saints in our first game was a really good learning game. We learned a lot about ourselves and what is required.

“Since then we have improved game on game. We have reviewed each game, looked at the things we didn’t do very well, worked on it and it has paid off.

“There has been a lot of hard work to get to where we are and we want to keep it going.

“There is a lot of good energy around the squad and hopefully we can channel that and go out there and take that final step.”