Mike Williams says the Tigers squad has put the disappointment of last weekend’s loss to Saracens behind them and trained well in preparation for another road trip, when they travel to Sixways on Sunday afternoon to take on Worcester Warriors in Round 14 of this season’s Gallagher Premiership.
"We’ve bounced back this week, trained really well … it’s going to be good, we’re looking forward to it."
Speaking to LTTV at the club’s Oval Park training ground after the squad completed their Captain’s Run in preparation for the away fixture, Williams said the group remained ‘upbeat’ but also well aware of the threat the Warriors possess after winning three of the past four meetings between the clubs.
“It was really disappointing … I felt like we were in the fight for the majority of the game, but weren’t firing on all cylinders in the second half,” Williams said of the Round 13 loss to Saracens, which Tigers lead at going in to the half-time break at Allianz Park.
“But, we’ve bounced back this week, trained really well … it’s going to be good, we’re looking forward to it.
“We’ve tried to put Sarries behind us it’s a big challenge going down to Worcester, we know that, they’re really strong there.”
The 27 year old has been named at open-side flanker for the match after injury ruled out Brendon O’Connor and Williams is confident, despite a challenging week reacquainting himself with the role, he’s up to the task.
“I played a bit of seven at the beginning of the season … it has been a challenging week for me,” he said.
Williams moved to Leicester from Worcester four seasons ago and still has many friends at Sixways, but says it’s another former Warrior that the Tigers are looking forward to welcoming back after Will Spencer - who moved to Tigers this season - was named to make his return from a knee injury.
“He’s a key character and big presence for us on the field,” Williams said when asked of the impact Spencer’s return will bring.
Spencer is one of four Tigers who have been included on the bench after being declared fit by medical staff with Guy Thompson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Harry Simmons named to make their comebacks after time on the sidelines.
Simmons, who earlier this month was announced as one of six youngsters to have extended their contracts with the club, is also set for what will be the 21 year old’s first fixture of the season after a knee injury in the opening weeks of the 2018/19 campaign saw him go under the knife and miss six months of action.
Williams, who admits this period of the season is the toughest in managing bodies while also missing internationals to Six Nations duty, did however say that the squad was keeping ‘positive’ ahead of the trip to Worcester on Sunday afternoon.
“Back end of the season is always tough, trying to manage the body … it’s nice to be able to manage it in the weeks off,” Williams said.
“The boys are very upbeat … we’re trying to keep positive.”
Watch the full interview with Mike Williams below on LTTV.
