Full-back George Worth says there has been ‘no hiding’ for him and his Leicester Tigers team-mates as the start of the new season draws closer.
Worth and the rest of the Tigers squad are nine weeks into a ruthless pre-season schedule, with the first round of the Premiership Rugby Cup now less than a month away.
Tigers’ Gallagher Premiership campaign follows a month later, as the domestic season shifts back to allow for the Rugby World Cup.
“It feels like we should be done, but we’re only really halfway,” explained the 22-year-old.
“Everyone has been working very, very hard and we’ve all been very accountable for how hard we’ve been working.
“Everything is up for everyone to see. There is no hiding, and it’s been great.”
“We are on a journey and we are just at the start of it.”
George Worth
The Tigers Academy graduate also revealed pre-season preparations have been as much about developing the group’s decision-making skills as looking at fitness and other rugby work-ons.
“I’d say everyone’s been getting touches,” he continued. “Everyone’s been making decisions, and for the last few weeks we’ve done a bit more rugby.
“It’s all about getting your hands on the ball, it’s about getting touches and making the right decisions, and lots of boys – from top to bottom – are having to make decisions. That’s the biggest difference.”
This summer has seen head coach Geordan Murphy tweak his coaching team, by defining tighter roles for his existing staff and bringing in former consultant Mike Ford on a full-time basis to work on the side’s attacking structures.
The adjustments have seen a marked change in mood at the club’s Oval Park training base, according to Worth.
He added: “There have been a lot of changes and there is a new mentality. With Mike coming in and Geordie having an off-season to implement a few of his philosophies, it has been different.
“Obviously, everyone thinks their pre-season has been great and they are going to win.
“But we are on a journey and we are just at the start of it.”
And Worth hopes that journey – and his own development – will return the club to the top of the Premiership pile.
“I’ve never been in a particularly successful Tigers side,” he admitted. “To try and get some success and be in a better position in the league is obviously everyone’s aim, so that’s definitely one of mine.
“[I aim] to get a few wins with the boys early on, build some confidence and see where we can go.”
