Premiership: Dan Cole lights a fire under Leicester’s returnees

It didn’t all go England’s way, but Leicester Tigers prop Dan Cole was at least impressed with his club team-mates during the Six Nations.

Leicester are in pole position in the Premiership table by some distance and are virtually assured of a home semi-final, after which at Twickenham in a final, anything can happen.

First in nine years

It would be the Tigers’ first title in nine years were they to do it, and it would be all the more remarkable considering two years ago they were only really saved from a likely relegation by Saracens’ salary cap transgressions.

But Steve Borthwick has brought the bite back to the Tigers, who have kept themselves well clear at the top during the Six Nations and now welcome back Ellis Genge, Freddie Steward and Ben Youngs among others, as they seek to make Welford Road rugby capital of England again.

Cole was particularly eloquent on the subject of his front-row partner Genge, who destroyed Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong in the scrum a week ago during England’s rearguard action against Ireland.

“You look at [Ellis] Genge – I think he’s really come on this tournament,” said Cole, speaking to the Ealing Times at a Land Rover-sponsored U11 and U12 grassroots developmental festival on Sunday at Oakham Rugby Club.

“He’s always been a quality player but I think to start in that leadership role has been brilliant, and it will be great to have them all – [Ellis] Genge, George [Ford], Ben [Youngs] – back.

“Freddie Steward has been brilliant for England, and all of them will come back into the team. When you look at England and the way they are, I think they’ve learnt a lot about themselves.

“We have a lot of young players in this tournament for England and there’s a lot more experience they can bring back in.

“There’s actually not much of the season left now, and I think we’re in a good position and have been playing well so I think we’ll be alright.

“We had a lot of young guys and I think one of the staples of our season this year is that we try and play for 80 minutes and throw ourselves into everything, and I think the boys have done that.

“Everyone plays hard, and the attitude is there and that’s the main thing about what we want at Tigers.”