Captain Ellis Genge claims that the time Leicester Tigers spent “the gutter” was what inspired their revival as a Premiership force.
For their first Premiership final in nine years, Leicester will need to beat Northampton Saturday.
They reach the semi-finals in their fifth season, two years after they survived the drop. Saracens’ relegation for salary cap breaches.
Genge said that he took pride in the entire process of rebuilding the club.
Genge stated, “That’s why the team got to where they are now.”
“If you don’t feel proud when you are 11th, then you shouldn’t be proud.” [in the table] We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t care.
Imagine if everything was perfect all the way, and you were the best at your job.
“But, when you’ve been down deep and in the gutter, and you see the resurgence coming up, that’s when you truly feel pride.”
In 2018, the Tigers, a 10-time Premiership champion, missed out on the playoffs for the first-time in 14 years. The Tigers were then relegated to the bottom of the table the following two seasons.
They came in second place in 2018-19, and again in the next term. Only Saracens’ points deductions and subsequent relegation saved Tigers from the drop.
Last term’s Mattioli Woods Welford Road head coach Steve Borthwick saw his first full season as Tigers coach. The Tigers came in sixth place and were 17 points behind the semi-final spots.
They made history by being the Premiership’s first club to finish an entire season at the top of each round.
England prop Genge will lead the Tigers past East Midlands rivals Northampton for his last home match.
The 27-year old will be leaving Leicester at the end the season to go back to Bristol. He said that he had focused on controlling his emotions.
Genge stated, “You have to beat the drum when it is right. You don’t want the drum to be beaten early in the week because then you’ve got your details down first.”
“If you get mad and start spitting fires, then you won’t learn anything during the week.” You’ll need to wait until Saturday or Friday to hear the ‘Any Given Sunday” speeches.
“But they will come at a certain time.
“I just want the tank to be empty for all the supporters who have been there through it all.”