New Leicester Tigers wing Adam Thompstone has set his sights on adding to the Premiership side's colourful and illustrious history.
The 25-year-old has featured infrequently since his switch from London Irish over the summer - playing in five of Leicester's Premiership games and in last weekend's narrow 14-13 victory over Benetton Treviso in the Heineken Cup, where he scored the all-important opening try.
Leicester currently sit fourth in the league, unbeaten in three games in all competitions ahead of a trip to Madejski Stadium where the wing began his rugby career with the Exiles.
And since making the journey up the M1 this summer, Thompstone admits he has found the culture of success at Welford Road infectious, and that he is going to use that as motivation to kick on after the new year.
"This is a great team to come and play for," he said. "There's a lot of prestige at Leicester and a great history which makes it a fantastic club to be a part of.
"Everyone expects Leicester to do well and I think everyone - myself included - thrive in that sort of environment because everyone knows what is expected of you. You want to be part of it and add to it.
"Obviously we take it game by game but we know how success is viewed here by the management and the fans and that dictates the way we play and approach every game.
"I've been pleased with how things have been going for me and if we're winning matches then we are happy."
Thompstone's fifth try of the 2012/13 campaign was easily his most memorable - the wing crossing the whitewash after a scintillating dash to finish a wonderfully worked Tigers move against Treviso.
And as Richard Cockerill's troops enter a festive period which is very much business as usual - with only Christmas Day off from training - the wing believes his most recent score should set him in good stead as the Tigers welcome the Exiles and then Gloucester to Welford Road.
"It's always great to score - to contribute is always important and a good morale booster," he added. "I did the easy part though if I'm honest. Ben Youngs did the hard part with his quick tap-and-go. But it's always good to get on the scoresheet if your team win.
"Things don't change too much for us now to be honest, we are back in training the day after Christmas Day but we're used to it.
"Obviously we are boosted by staying at Welford Road over Christmas - it's nice to have two games at a place we feel comfortable playing at. We want to end the year on a high and hopefully we can."
Comments
lawynd says...
I think Thompstone and Miles Benjamin could both be contenders for England in the future, especially Benjamin as our left wing position is probably our weakest in the backs.
Posted 10:57 21st December 2012
melkdave says...
I said at the time of his move,that he would thrive at Tigers.He has the potential to be a fantastic player imo,perhaps even a international for England in the next few years.
Posted 12:40 19th December 2012