Bailey enjoying 'fresh start' at 'massive' Tigers

Orlando Bailey will make his Leicester debut against Saracens at Welford Road on Saturday

Leicester Tigers fly-half Orlando Bailey says he is "excited" by the way "top leader" Geoff Parling wants the club's much-changed squad to play.

Former England and British and Irish Lions lock Parling, who was assistant coach with Australia until August, has taken charge of a new-look coaching team and playing group.

"They've all been very welcoming and it's been good fun," Bailey told BBC Radio Leicester.

He added that he "wasn't sure how accepted it would be" to join from Bath, where he made his debut as an 18-year-old and spent five years as a senior player.

"Moving to a rugby club, you automatically gain 30 or 40 friends, which does make the whole process easier," he said.

"There was a bit of congestion at Bath in the fly-half position with Finn Russell, who's an amazing player.

"I still managed to chip in off the bench but I had a few injuries last season, which was very frustrating and left me thinking I needed a bit of a fresh start.

"I wasn't getting the game time I wanted to develop as a player and see where I could go.

"I spoke to Geoff and it sounded like an exciting new chapter for the club and something I wanted to be a part of.

"He's a really top leader and he's got a good hold on the group already. It's a massive club - one of the biggest in England."

Bailey, who played for England against The Barbarians in 2022, made 99 appearances for last season's champions Bath and can also play at full-back or centre.

The 23-year-old played with winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb from the age of 14 at Bath and is motivated by the strong competition offered by their fellow new signings including former Australia international James O'Connor and fly-halves Billy Searle and Charlie Titcombe.

"We've been fighting hard and have become good mates off the pitch already, which is great," he said.

"They're really talented. The four of us and some of the academy lads will be pushing to make the team better.

"I've seen James O'Connor playing for the Wallabies in South Africa and thought he was awesome.

"He really stepped up and looked a very calming presence, so that's something I'm excited to learn off.

"I'm excited about the way we want to play - holding the traditional values of Leicester by being physical and having a strong set piece, but also moving the ball.

"Olly [Cracknell] and Adam [Radwan] were tearing trees up last season. They're exciting players - we've just got to get them the ball and let them do their thing."

Leicester host Saracens on Saturday (15:00 BST) and visit Harlequins on 19 September (19:45) in the Prem Rugby Cup before starting their league campaign at Bristol Bears on 28 September (15:30).