Charlie Clare says a big appetite to improve is driving the Leicester Tigers players in their day-to-day work.

After the disappointment of defeat at Sale Sharks last weekend and in the build-up to facing another top-four team in Harlequins this Saturday, hooker Clare said: “What we have in this team is a desire, a workrate, a hunger, which is half the battle.

“You’re seeing lads playing for each other, not just on a matchday but during the week, even in sessions which are not physical battles.

“Everyone is pushing each other to do more.”

The 29-year-old Clare used Nic Dolly, who made a Premiership debut alongside fellow mid-season arrival Will Hurd at Sharks last week, as an example of everyone looking to drive those standards.

“I’m so proud of Nic making his Premiership debut,” Clare said of the young hooker. “He is one of the blokes who sets the standard in workrate, he is always doing extras in analysis and gym, and it sets a great example.

“We’ve got Julian Montoya working hard to come back from injury and Tom Youngs has so much experience, pointing you in the right direction all the time. It’s a great group of hookers and I’m excited to be a part of that.”