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Rugby News

Borthwick previews for first home game of league season

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Steve Borthwick discusses the learning from the opening round of the new Gallagher Premiership season, selection and previews the first home game of the campaign against Newcastle Falcons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Looking back on the season opener, away to Exeter Chiefs, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach said the issues from the defeat had been addressed at Oval Park.

"It was an arm wrestle of a game ... in the first half, neither team got to the opposition end very much.," he said.

"For us, a couple of concentration factors offered them opportunities to score and we have addressed them.

"The way the players addressed the third quarter was terrific.

"We were about 1 minute short and they are a very good team, we have to ensure with teams like that we don’t give them too many opportunities."

Borthwick has named four of the club's five players to tour with England in the summer for their first game of the 22/23 season, with Freddie Steward left out for Saturday's game against Newcastle.

Speaking about the plan around the return of his international players, Borthwick said: "Each club has a different position."

"For instance, some clubs in the European Challenge Cup have said they will not play England players in European rugby.

"We’re not in the Challenge Cup so it is different, but we look at it and consider what is right for the player. It is not a simple answer for all, it's about the individual."

Previewing Saturday's first home game of the league campaign, the Tigers Head Coach said: "They came out against Harlequins, played a lot of very good attacking rugby against them and what Newcastle did was capitalise on their errors really well."

"They take their opportunities superbly and we know they are a very dangerous team."