As young players prepare to return to rugby with the easing of lockdown rules, members of the Leicester Tigers team have shared their experiences of the sport as part of the club’s Project Rugby at Home initiative.

In partnership with Premiership Rugby and league title partner Gallagher, the Tigers hosted a series of Zoom calls with local clubs to give the next generation of rugby talent an opportunity to engage with the game despite current restrictions and also increase their enthusiasm ahead of a return to training and playing shortly.

Players from Oadby Wyggestonian, South Leicester, Leicester Forest and Nottingham Moderns clubs had the chance to put their questions to Tigers quartet Joe Heyes, Jaco Taute, Jack Van Poortvliet and Johnny McPhillips, with subjects including their path into professional rugby and training and nutrition tips as well as favourite memories, best friends in the game and plans for the future.

Tigers rugby development officers Steve Hanna and Laurence Walters from the club’s community team led question-and-answer sessions as the young club players are able now to start thinking about getting back on the field as the country looks towards the restart of community rugby after a year of Covid lockdown rules.

As restrictions ease, Project Rugby will also look to continue its wider-reaching rugby programme which aims to increase participation and opportunities for youngsters from under-represented backgrounds. 

Following the guidelines on easing lockdown restrictions, the rugby community is hopeful that grassroots team sports can return from March 29. For more information, visit www.englandrugby.com