Ben Youngs: Leicester great believes half-back battle the key to Premiership semi-final

Youngs, who will be paired with George Ford, is set to face off with the Saints’ Alex Mitchell and his 10, who will be Wales and British and Irish Lions veteran Dan Biggar.

Aware of the pressure of the occasion, Youngs knows how well Mitchell and Biggar have been playing and how crucial the half-back positions will be in this encounter.

“I think it’s safe to say that the half-backs are going to have a big say in who wins the game. So myself, George, Jack [van Poortvliet] and Freddie [Burns], we’ve all got a big role in that,” he said.

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On paper, the match-up is tantalising, but Youngs was quick to remind people that there will be little one-on-one action between the opposing nines and 10s due to the nature of the positions.

“In terms of going against Dan and Mitch, you don’t, as half-backs, come across [one another]. It’s not like a prop and a hooker where you scrum and it’s one-on-one battles to a degree.

“I think the half-backs will have a big say in who gets the result and those guys have been playing well together.”

When asked about his professional and personal views on long-time half-back partner Ford, who leaves the Tigers for Sale Sharks next season, Youngs was gushing with praise and admiration for the man.

“The way that he conducts himself and the standards that he brings to himself personally every day is incredible. He’s someone that I’ve absolutely enjoyed spending time on the field with, and learning and playing alongside.  I’ve had some great times with him but equally off the field as well,” he said.

“He’s a great man, he drives this team