Jake Kerr is enjoying his best run of rugby since joining Leicester Tigers and is determined to learn from the experience.

The former Scotland Under-20s hooker joined Tigers from Loughborough University in the summer of 2017 but made only four first-team appearances last season as ankle and shoulder injuries restricted his opportunities to push for gametime.

He has already passed that total this season, coming off the bench at Gloucester on Friday evening for an appearance in his fifth successive match after making his seasonal debut – and European bow – in the Champions Cup win over the Scarlets at Welford Road.

“Because of the Premiership Cup, it has been very helpful getting gametime,” said Kerr who is on a three-man shortlist to find the club's Lumbers Player of the Month. “I think the more you play, the more used to everybody you get and the more comfortable you are.

“I’ve found that I’ve got on the ball more and been more comfortable from the set-piece as well.

“Taf being away with Australia has opened up a little opportunity to put my hand up for selection.”

Coming from his student background, the 22-year-old Kerr appreciates the opportunity to learn from the seniors around him and from the Tigers coaching team.

“The feedback from the coaches is to keep working on the set-piece,” he said. “The scrum and lineout are massive for us.

“I was more thinking just about trying to stay fit and keep learning from four more experienced hookers around me this season and hopefully I’ll keep doing that for the rest of the season.

“After a game I’m quite harsh on myself. I don’t like making mistakes. Against Sale, for example, I wasn’t happy with the scrum and, coming from a Friday game, it was long weekend and I was quite irritated. But I spoke to Boris on Monday and you do your reviews and that helps, and you start looking forward to training and learning again.”