Leicester's defence of the Premiership title may have got off to a slow start, but Steve Borthwick believes the future of the club is set for years to come.
Tigers go into today's home match with London Irish on a run of three defeats in four league games, but the fixtures have been spread over four months and their only match since the middle of October was at Bath two weeks ago.
They went into the current round seventh in the table with three victories and four defeats, but only two of the games have been played at Welford Road, a ground where Irish have only won twice in the Premiership era. “It has been challenging from a cohesion point of view in the last few weeks with a number of players away on international duty and not many games,” said Leicester's head coach Borthwick who is among the contenders to succeed Eddie Jones as England head coach after next year's World Cup.
“It's given us the chance to do some intense training, build relationships and recharge batteries.
“We have to ensure the long term future of the club is strong. There has been enormous change in the last two years in the squad and in the coaching group.
“We have a group of potentially great players coming through and plenty of good coaches. We have recruited some experienced players to help the youngsters and the future is an exciting one for Leicester for several years to come.” Leicester topped the table last season after winning a number of matches late on, but this season they have been pipped at Exeter and Bath and were overhauled by Sale on their last league encounter in front of their own supporters seven weeks ago.
The Tigers need a win and they usually achieve it against Irish who are bottom of the table after having their victory over Worcester scratched: The Exiles have won only three of the last 21 Premiership matches between the sides and their last success at Leicester was in 2014.
“They are a very dangerous team with so many good individuals,” said Borthwick. “They have incredible pace in the back three, Paddy Jackson at outside-half and Benhard van Rensburg in he centre.
“At forward they have the likes of Juan Martin Gonzalez and Tom Pearson and they have good players throughout. You have to be on the money when you play them because they take opportunities if you are not.
“We have not had many home matches this season and it will be good to be back in front of our supporters.”
Leicester are still without Ben Youngs, Jack van Poortvliet and Freddie Steward, who were on England duty yesterday, but they have ben boosted by the return of Julian Montoya, Tommy Reffell, Jasper Wiese, Joe Heyes and Guy Porter while Ollie Chessum is back after suffering a knee injury two months ago.
