'It's identifiable, it's infectious, it's Leicester Tigers' - Bobby Bridge on the remarkable redemption story of England's biggest club

The global pandemic changed all of our lives in one shape or form. Like anybody else, I was gripped by fear and concern for my loved ones, while harbouring worries for my own health and also my job security as the father of a newborn.

It's no secret that my employers made changes during the first lockdown and the fact that no rugby would ultimately be played for five painstaking months led to uncertainty for so many involved in the game.

Rugby is my life, and has been for as long as I care to remember. From the age of six when I first attended a training session, to running touch for my dad who was a referee, to cheering Leicester Tigers on from Welford Road.

I've been a journalist all of my adult life, a journey that began at the age of 19 with a spur-of-the-moment CV sent to my local newspaper. Whatever role I've held, I always managed to muscle my way in and write about the sport I loved the most; rugby.

Since January 2018, I've been immersed in professional rugby covering Wasps and my time on Tigers too started with a 'loan' to cover a furlough period of a former colleague. In August 2020, with a face mask on and very few people for company, I took my place at a vacant and echoey Welford Road as Tigers welcomed old rivals Bath.

My vantage point wasn't in the Breedon Stand, but instead up the concrete steps of the imposing North Stand. This Gallagher Premiership match came just a week after the 26-13 defeat to Exeter Chiefs, which Steve Borthwick recently referenced as being the starting point of his belief there was something to work with at Tigers.

While I agree that performance had plenty of heart and fight in it, the 38-16 capitulation to Bath underlined just how far there was to go on that journey. Like they had