Leicester Tigers boss Steve Borthwick reflects on Six Nations period: 'Challenging and intense'

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick praised his squad for coping with a 'really challenging and intense period' to stay top of the Gallagher Premiership.

A 47-28 victory over London Irish on Saturday came despite having five players away on England duty in the penultimate round of Six Nations action. It has been a common theme during the period as Tigers have operated without the likes of Ellis Genge, Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs for seven rounds of action while George Ford and Ollie Chessum featured only once for their clubs since the Round 13 defeat to Wasps.

With attentions now turning to the Premiership Cup's return next week with a trip to Newcastle Falcons, Tigers can reflect on the Six Nations-impacted period having won five of their seven league fixtures to hold a 12-point lead on second-placed Saracens and built a 22-point buffer to remain in the top four with six rounds remaining.

"I am really proud of our England internationals," said Borthwick. "They're in that squad and I hope any of our players who want to play international rugby get that opportunity. My job as a coach is to help them be the best they can be. We're proud of our players playing international rugby. We have to adapt and the players adapted brilliantly.

"I've said all along, as we reshape the squad, it's about a squad that has quality has depth has people that are working together but also competing for positions as well."

Among the star performers for Tigers during the period has been Freddie Burns, who has started all seven games registering 76 points in the process and picked up February's Premiership player of the month prize along the way.

"I think he has done really well but I think the team has done really well and the