GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP

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Tigers warming to Meyer regime

Monday 25th August 2008

New leader: Meyer happy with improvements

Leicester centre Aaron Mauger has revealed that he and his team-mates are buying into and seeing the results of Heyneke Meyer's fresh approach.

New Head Coach Meyer watched as his side, led by former All Black Mauger, claimed an impressive 30-17 victory away at the Ospreys on Saturday.

And playmaker Mauger has pinpointed the Tigers' improved fitness and skill levels as being a major positive ahead of the forthcoming Guinness Premiership campaign.

"It has been a pretty tough pre-season but it's starting to pay off," said the 27-year-old, speaking to the Leicester Mercury.

"The guys are getting through a lot of hard work.

"Our concentrations levels are much better now because we are not as tired as we were last year. There's definitely been a benefit from all the hard work we have been doing."

The Tigers were narrowly defeated to Biarritz last week and with one further warm-up fixture against Western Force remaining before their crunch season opener against Gloucester, Mauger believes the side are progressing well.

"Heyneke has set some goals and the team has really risen to that," he continued.

"I have been quite surprised how quickly it has come together actually.

"There has been a really positive attitude this year. It wasn't embarrassing last year but we know we were below par."

South African Meyer was also delighted with the Welford Road side's progress as he looks to improve on Leicester's recent trophy-less term under former boss Marcelo Loffreda.

"It's always easier having the more experienced players and the international players back," said Meyer.

"There were still a lot of errors but I am happy with where we are.

"It's important that we keep our feet on the ground because there is still a long way to go. But I am just pleased with how we did with some of the things that we have worked on like the counter-attacks.

"Our set-piece was also much better than it was in Biarritz."