Sam Harrison says that the next few weeks could be vital in determining where Leicester Tigers finish this season.

The Tigers restart their Gallagher Premiership campaign at Gloucester on Friday without a number of international players and scrum-half Harrison says the rest of the squad must step up in their absence.

“It’s a situation I’m very used to now. This period and then the Six Nations period are crucial, and the top of the table is decided by how well you can do in these periods when you haven’t got all of your best players,” he said.

“It’s a huge couple of weeks for the club and, with Saracens coming up next week at home, there are big opportunities for us now.”

Tigers go into Friday’s game after three successive defeats in the Premiership Rugby Cup, but Harrison says that is now behind them and all focus remains on this game.

“We’ve had three weeks to mentally prepare for this so it almost feels like a mini pre-season,” said. “Everyone has had a run-out and it’s almost like a new squad without any international players.

“You don’t worry about who’s not here, it’s more just about who is here and how do we prepare best for Gloucester.

“It’s always tricky down there and on a Friday night it has more of a special feel about it.”