Jersey 'must learn from Leicester Tigers', says Ben Harvey

Jersey director of rugby Ben Harvey says his players should use Leicester Tigers as an example of the standards they need to aspire to.

The reigning Premiership champions hammered Harvey's side 69-7 in a pre-season game at St Peter.

"It's not in Leicester's DNA to take their foot off the pedal," he told BBC Radio Jersey.

"Some of our lads need to understand that top-level rugby is about not giving up until the last whistle."

Drew Locke scored a classy try for Jersey, but their opponents crossed the line 11 times as their superiority told.

But Harvey hopes that his players will soon get to face Leicester on a more regular basis, having set Jersey the target of reaching the Premiership within the next five years.

"When you play the best side in the country, you make sure you look at everything because everything gets tested and that's what we'll do," he said.

"I spoke to [Leicester director of rugby] Richard Cockerill the night before the game and he told me the side he was putting out.

"So you think 'OK we're playing against three Lions - two of which are in the front row and they're backed up by an international pack.

"Leicester are a top side and we relished the opportunity and for 25 minutes we did very well.

"We didn't keep the ball very well and defensively we looked a bit ragged as the game went on. We scored a really good try and had we delivered the ball a bit better off the set piece and kept hold of it more then we could have put them under a bit more pressure.

"Leicester get an opportunity and suddenly you're under your posts - that's the sort of tests these young players needed."

Leicester backs coach Paul Burke said the trip to Jersey has been a very worthwhile exercise for his players as they fine-tune their preparations for the new campaign.

"We love coming to Jersey - it's our second time here and we thank Jersey for having us," he said.

"The scoreline is the scoreline but hopefully Jersey will have got something out of the game and Ben and the boys can push ahead for the start of their campaign."

Burke said his players had been determined to make their mark in Jersey after a disappointing 52-15 defeat against Montpellier in their previous pre-season outing.

"Montpellier were a bit sharper than us on the day so to come out and score 11 tries in Jersey and for our guys to get valuable game time under their belts was great for us all," he added.

"We had four Lions playing today and a very different side to that which faced Montpellier. It was important for us to put a marker down, we're facing Ulster at home next week and we want to improve again on this performance"