George Ford hails role of Leicester’s eager young guns in Europe

George Ford has hailed Leicester’s young guns as the Tigers close in on a Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final place.

It is six years since Leicester, European champions in 2001 and 2002, have reached the tournament’s last-eight stage.

But a memorable 29-10 away victory over French heavyweights Clermont Auvergne last weekend means that Ford and company are red-hot favourites to finish the round of 16 job in Saturday’s second leg at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

While the likes of Ford, his half-back partner Ben Youngs and skipper Ellis Genge have showcased their international experience during an impressive European run, Tigers’ new crop of talent can also reflect on making a significant contribution.

Players such as Freddie Steward, Dan Kelly, Jack van Poortvliet and Ollie Chessum – all 21 or younger – are key parts of Leicester’s resurgence under head coach Steve Borthwick.

Steward, Kelly and Chessum have also featured for England during Borthwick’s reign, and played important roles in Tigers’ march to the Gallagher Premiership play-offs.

“They are a great bunch of young lads,” Ford said. “The one thing that makes them stand out the most is the attitude they have got.

“It is the way they go about preparing, trying to improve physically, trying to improve mentally, the questions they ask and just their general attitude.

“Even though things have gone well for them and the team up to this point, they haven’t got ahead of themselves.

“I haven’t seen one little bit or inkling of them getting ahead of themselves, and that is the biggest thing I can say about them because that is unbelievably important and it will be throughout their whole careers.

“We’ve all got great relationships, to be honest, but it is refreshing how