Steve Borthwick previews the Gallagher Premiership away game against Saracens in Round 4 of the 2022/23 season
Speaking from the club's Oval Park training ground in the build-up to the club's second away match in as many weeks, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach was asked about the form of experienced front-rower Dan Cole after his Player of the Match performance in the Round 3 win over Northampton Saints.
"Dan is an incredibly professional player who prepares as well as anyone I have seen," said Borthwick.
"What he does is well thought out, structured and consistent. It is very impressive.
"If you have consistent behaviours, you will find consistency in your performance ... Dan is an example of that."
"He is a brilliant example to all players, younger or older and in all positions."
Looking ahead to the weekend's opponents, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach admitted the challenge of a trip to Saracens was a big one.
"It is a very impressive group, with superstars from 1-23 and beyond," Borthwick said.
"We know it is a difficult challenge, going there and coming up against a squad of their quality.
"You just have to look at the confidence they play with, having been together for such an awful long time and playing together at the very high level they have during that time.
"Ultimately though, we only look at what we can do better and this week has been about preparing as best we can to go to Saracens and deliver a performance our supporters can be proud of on Saturday."
As for the feeling at Oval Park, ahead of what is the first meeting since the 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership Final, Borthwick said: "We are excited, as we are every week we get the privilege of going out and representing Leicester Tigers."
"It is our next game, we aren't looking back at what we have done in recent weeks this season and definitely not looking back at last season; the focus for us is Saturday with this group.
"Almost a third of our squad is new this season, we are looking forward and looking forward to Saturday - because why wouldn't you look forward to an opportunity like this against what has been the benchmark in the game for so long."
