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League form is down to hard work, says Bucknall

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Hard work is at the heart of Leicester Tigers' run of form in the Aviva Premiership, says Pete Bucknall.

Tigers’ 15-9 victory over Leeds Carnegie at Headingley on Sunday was their seventh in a row in the Aviva Premiership.

It was also Leicester’s third successive win away from home in the competition after victories at London Irish and Exeter Chiefs and moved them six points clear at the top of the table

And Bucknall, who moved to Welford Road from Leeds last summer, says Tigers were pleased to keep up the pressure on the teams around them.

“The hard work that we put in during the week and during the season is paying off,” said the prop, who made his third league start for Tigers against his former club. “We have a game-plan and we do our homework on each side and the lots of little bits add up.

“It is great to come away from home and keep picking up the points and keep putting pressure on the teams around us.

“We just concentrate on working hard and on picking up the points and we will keep going from there.”

Richard Cockerill described Bucknall’s contribution to the victory at Leeds as outstanding.

“The set-piece was pretty good, the lineout went pretty well,” said the Tigers director of rugby. “I thought Pete Bucknall was outstanding for us at tighthead.

“It was his first start there in a really important game. He did a really good job in difficult circumstances and that is what we are about. You want players to come in and take their opportunities.”

Tigers are back in action at Welford Road this Saturday when London Wasps are the visitors. The clash between the two most successful English clubs of the professional era, who have won 11 of the last 12 Premiership titles between them, is seen by some Tigers fans as the biggest fixture of the season.

But Bucknall said: “It is the biggest game because it is the next one. Every point is as valuable as the one before.”

Tickets are available now from the Tigers ticket office on 0844 856 1880, online by clicking here or in person at the Welford Road ticket office.