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Youngs urges Tigers Family to get tighter

Club captain Tom Youngs speaks to LTTV at Welford Road following the final training session ahead of Saturday's first Gallagher Premiership home game of the new season.

After a roller coaster week in Tiger Town, which began with Matt O'Connor's departure from the club and the appointment of Geordan Murphy to the top job, Youngs admitted to it being a "disjointed" preparation for the Premiership fixture but made a point of praising the efforts and experience of his former skipper in his new role.

"It has been a disjointed week, with what happened Monday, but Geordie has taken the helm and is doing a great job," said Youngs.

"It's not like a totally new guy coming in, he has been here for years and we know what he is about."

O'Connor's departure came on the back of an opening round loss to Exeter last weekend and, while fresh on the minds of all involved, the skipper says moving on is vital for the playing group to ensure full focus is on the challenge of the Falcons.

"We're all very disappointed with last Saturday, it wasn't good enough ... but we have to draw a line through it and move on," he said.

"We're all in it together ... it's time to build momentum and go forward together this season."

Tom Youngs

Another unfortunate result undoubtedly in the memories of supporters is the final home game of last season, when Tigers were removed from finals contention for the first time in the club's history with a last-gasp loss to Falcons at Welford Road, which Youngs says is a motivating factor for the side ahead of this weekend's return bout between the teams.

"Looking back on that dreaded day it makes me quite emotional," said Youngs.

"There's motivation there, using that, to win this game."

"Through my life experiences, sticking together as a family is huge and through tough times that's all you can do ... you have to be tighter."

Tom Youngs

The Tigers hooker also echoed calls from his new head coach for fans to get behind the team and, despite the challenging week and disappointing finishes over recent seasons for all involved at the club, "give everything" because the squad will be when they take to the Welford Road pitch on Saturday afternoon.

"We want to make this a fortress again, it hasn't been good enough over the past few years," said the Tigers captain.

"We need everyone right behind us, it makes a huge difference. We're all in it together ... it's time to build momentum and go forward together this season."

"Through my life experiences, sticking together as a family is huge and through tough times that's all you can do ... you have to be tighter."

"Cheer us on, please give everything, because we will be giving everything on the pitch."

Watch the full interview with Youngs on LTTV below.