Message to Leicester Tigers fans as Steve Borthwick highlights Leinster's 'extra week' of preparation

Steve Borthwick has sent a clear message to Leicester Tigers fans ahead of their Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final clash with Leinster.

The leaders of the Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship go head-to-head in the most eagerly anticipated match-up of the four last-eight ties taking place this weekend.

After securing a home semi-final in the domestic competition with a 56-26 thumping of Bristol Bears, the Tigers head coach pointed to the contrasting preparation periods the two sides have had entering Saturday's showdown and the key part that those at Mattioli Woods Welford Road can play.

"We're playing against a Leinster team that's had such an incredible record in Europe and has such amazing resources," he said. "From the backing they have, the ability they've had to leave a team at home, while they went on tour to South Africa.

"They then sent most of their coaches back after a week in South Africa to go and coach that team, to do an extra week's preparation, sent other players back from South Africa, to get an extra week's preparation for Europe.

"That's not what a Premiership team can do. We know it's an incredible challenge. The atmosphere today [v Bristol] was very good, we need this place rammed, we need Leicester Tigers making this place bounce next Saturday night. The players take an enormous amount from the supporters and that's what we need next week."

While the likes of Ellis Genge, George Ford and Ben Youngs have doubled up playing twice since the last round of European competition rugby, the vast majority of the Leinster side that completed the job against Connacht to progress did not participate in their United Rugby Championship games with the Stormers and Sharks - making the Tigers