Leicester Tigers club captain Tom Youngs caught up with LTTV on the opening day of the final week of the 2018/19 pre-season schedule, leading in to Friday night's fixture at Welford Road against London Irish.
Youngs, who enters his third season with the 'C' next to his name, discussed the summer of training so far and the particularly hot conditions that the squad have had to contend with in the build up to the 2018/19 campaign.
Admitting he was "sick of fitness training" and eager to return to action this Friday evening at the historic home of the Tigers Family, the Leicester hooker said: "I am really looking forward to playing ... there's no better feeling than running out at Welford Road."
"We want to showcase the things we've been working on out on the field."
Tom Youngs
After a disappointing 2017/18 season, which resulted in a club-first absence from the Premiership Finals, Youngs opened up on the feeling within the group about wanting to "put things right" and says that a long, detailed review of the performances had been undertaken ahead of the upcoming year.
The England and British Lions representative said the squad is happy where it's at, despite a loss to Benetton Rugby in Treviso last Friday and even admitted that the defeat could in fact help the group in staying grounded ahead of the new season after last year's three straight pre-season victories were followed by back to back defeats in the opening round of the Aviva Premiership.
"There is no harm in having a reality check," said Youngs.
"We had good results last year and it stung us a bit heading in to the Premiership."
It has been a roller coaster 18 months for the Tigers skipper both on and off the pitch, after receiving the heart-warming news that wife Tiffany had recovered from a serious, life-threatening illness.
However, in typical Youngs fashion, the inspirational leader continued to support his bride and daughter through the recovery process and lead the club in a difficult season of results, before spending this summer getting in to shape ahead of the new year.
When asked about his trim look, Youngs again took a typically-Tom tone and said: "I don't look 31, which is great!"
Watch the full interview with Youngs on LTTV below and keep an eye out this week, ahead of the final pre-season fixture of the 2018/19 campaign on Friday night at Welford Road, for exclusive chats with Leicester and England fly-half George Ford and Tigers forwards coach Mark Bakewell.
