WELCOME FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Peter Tom CBE CHAIRMAN

Opening words from the Chairman of the Leicester Tigers.

Welcome to matchday with the Leicester Tigers, from wherever you are following today’s game, whether that is with BT Sport, BBC Radio Leicester, the Tigers’ Matchday Live service or other avenues.

And a warm welcome to the officials and players of our oldest rivals Northampton Saints.

These games are always special, though it is a real pity that we cannot share this one with the supporters from both teams inside Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium.

The good news is that we are finally approaching the time when restrictions are lifted and we can start welcoming back supporters, and there is a lot of work being done behind the scenes to be prepared for that moment so we can enjoy matchdays together again. Within the roadmap out of Covid as it stands, we hope to have some of you here for the game against Bristol on June 5.

This is the fourth in a sequence of very important games, with knockout fixtures against Connacht and Newcastle followed by another big rivalry and the trip to Bath last week. From here, we go into a European Challenge Cup semi-final against Ulster so there will be no let-up in intensity on the pitch.

One of the features of the team’s recent good form has been the way different players have come into the squad and performed so well.

The internationals, of course, have been away for a decent-sized chunk of the season and there are always the bumps and bruises to cope with along the way, but Steve has increased the competition within the squad and that is having its results in the kind of performances we have seen from players like Dan Kelly, Harry Potter, Guy Porter, Johnny McPhillips, Cameron Henderson and others who have earned an opportunity and then taken it with both hands.

That strength in depth and that regular competition for places can only be a benefit in the long run.

There are still a lot of points to play for in the league programme and, as Steve has consistently said, we are looking to build from week to week and keep taking steps forward in the development of the players, the gameplan and the level of the team’s performance.

Derby Day with Saints is usually the Matt Hampson Foundation Day here and, although those plans have been hit this year, I would like to congratulate Matt and everyone at his organisation on the work they do for those who have suffered serious injury and hope we can host you all again soon.

On behalf of the Tigers, I also send congratulations to our friends at Leicester City who have reached a first FA Cup Final in more than 50 years and wish them all the very best for the big day at Wembley Stadium next month.

Finally, as always, I pass on my thanks to all of the Tigers supporters who have stuck with us through these challenging times and who have shown great loyalty to the club. Steve and the players are very eager to have you back in the stands and thank you for your continued support as we all appreciate everything you do for the Tigers.

Depth in the squad is growing