New Tiger in town Will Spencer says the opportunity to be a part of a club like Leicester Tigers was impossible to resist after making the off-season move to Welford Road.

“Leicester are Leicester. Everyone in world rugby knows who the Leicester Tigers are and the chance to play for a team like Leicester is just incredible,” said the second row.

Speaking to LeicesterTigers.com as his first month in red, white and green comes to a close, Spencer said the transition had been seamless over the summer and his new team-mates had made the 26-year-old welcome since arriving on day one like “the new kid at school”.

Quizzed on how the opening month of the pre-season schedule has been in his new surrounds, Spencer couldn’t hide the smile before adding: “The first month has been brilliant, I’ve had a great time.

“Obviously, it’s always a bit nerving on that first day, a bit like being a new kid at school, but once I met all the boys and got chatting I felt really welcome, everyone here is really easy to get on with.”

Another helping hand in the move for Spencer was the short-trip from the West to East Midlands after two seasons with Worcester Warriors, where he moved from Bath in 2016 after rising through the ranks of the South-West club before making his senior debut in 2012.

“It’s a lovely part of the world, it’s very nice, all the villages around Leicester are,” Spencer said of his new home. “The weather has been insane as well, so it has been a great start all round.”

At 1.9 metres tall and weighing in at 125 kilos, the lock will add more bulk to the Tigers forward pack.

“Physicality is a strong part of my game,” said Spencer. “I’m a big lump and like to hit things hard, run hard and bring that abrasive side of my game to the team. That’s the side of the game I enjoy, the collisions, and hopefully I can add that to this Tigers squad.

“I want to form a good combination with the guys in the second row and together with the rest of the forwards we want to form a really formidable force - which is what Tigers have been known for over the years, when nobody wanted to face a Leicester pack.”

As well as striking fear through opponents, Spencer is also keen to return silverware to the cabinets at his new home and says just competing for top spot is not what players, coaches and fans are about at Welford Road.

When asked about what the 2018/19 Tigers squad is aiming for, a more serious faced Spencer was quick to respond.

“This club expects to win things,” he said. “It was strange as an outsider looking in last season, with Leicester finishing on equal points with 4th place, so close to being a part of the finals, and it was considered a disastrous season.

“It shows the size of this club and what is expected of us from the coaches and fans.

“Everyone in this group wants to not only put that right but go further.

“Yes, top four is great but this is a club who wants to win. We want to win Premierships, we want to be competing in Europe and winning in Europe, and we’re all working hard and building towards that together.”

The building officially begins in just 25 days' time when Tigers travel to face Cardiff Blues on Saturday, August 11 for the opening game of the pre-season programme before a trip to Italy for a clash with Benetton Rugby and then a final pre-season fixture at Welford Road against London Irish on Friday, August 24 (7.45pm).

The pre-season home game is included as part of a 2018/19 season ticket, offering 17 games for the price of just 12 and available to purchase now online at LeicesterTigers.com/seasontickets or over the phone by calling the ticket office on 0116 319 8888 (option 2).