Younger players can find 'winning habit' in cup

Matt Smith spent 13 years as a player for Leicester Tigers between 2006 and 2019

Leicester Tigers' academy coach Matt Smith says their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign is a good chance for younger players to get into a "winning habit".

Tigers have started the 2024-25 Premiership season strongly and are second in the league after five wins from their opening six league matches.

They are set to rotate their squad for Friday's opening cup match against rivals Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens.

"There will be some senior players playing on Friday and some guys that haven’t had as much game time and some guys that need game time," Smith told BBC Radio Leicester.

Tigers finished last season in a disappointing eighth but they have shown more resilience under new head coach Michael Cheika this term which has seen them maintain a 100% record away from Welford Road.

"I think what I've noticed from the group currently is whatever you want to call it: fight, grit, determination, their willingness to stay in the battle, that is what has probably got us through," Smith added.

"I’m sure Cheik [Michael Cheika] would say we’re nowhere near the finished article- there’s only been six games - but I think the basis and the foundation of what he’s brought quite quickly is again going back to traditionally what Leicester’s built on.

"When the club’s been most successful, the club has always had a strong character, leader and boss.

"Leicester needs that because of the size of the club."

A four-time Premiership winner during his playing days at Leicester, Smith has helped instil a winning mentality in his role as lead academy and transitions coach.

"We talk about getting certain habits into these younger players - winning is a habit," he said.

"If we can go to Northampton and win on Friday, that’s the habit.

"We want to be winners, what is Leicester built on? We’re built on winning trophies.

"That’s just the way it is - Leicester has always been built on winning trophies and this is another great opportunity for a slightly different group of players to win a trophy."