Tom Hudson was buoyant despite his side’s defeat to Harlequins Women in Round 11 of the Premiership Women’s Rugby season.
Despite going down 42-17, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach believes there was positives for his young side to take from Twickenham after putting up a fight against one of the league’s top sides.
If we can take away the good from today, carry it into next week, and make sure we learn from the mistakes we made as well, then we are in the best position to get a result
Tigers crossed for three tries, including the first of the match, and at one point late in the second-half, got themselves to within 15 points to the surprise of many pundits who had fancied a walkover for the home team.
Speaking after the match, Hudson said: “I thought we started really well and had some dominance in the opening period but, we let them back in by giving them too much possession.”
“That was something we knew we couldn’t let them do today; they have multiple, world-class threats in attack and they punished us with it.”
Leicester saw two players sent to the sin bin for separate incidents, which Hudson admitted hurt his team at crucial periods in the game.
“The yellow cards hurt us, it’s always going to hurt you when you lose a player,” he said.
“How competitive this league is, how tight the margins are, means you are on damage limitation for the entire ten minutes of a player being off the field.
“But, I was proud of the effort in those periods to fight for one another; I was proud at the fight on show today throughout the entire game. On a big stage, up against one of the league’s best and most experienced teams, we stood up today and showed we are not just making up the numbers in the PWR.”
Tigers are back at home next weekend, for the first fixture of 2025, as part of the New Year Double Header at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Up against Sale Sharks Women, who Leicester defeated earlier in the league campaign, Hudson is keen to make it a double with a win at home on January 4, which his team are yet to do in their one and a half seasons in PWR.
“We came out on top in the game at their place a few weeks ago and we need to do it again at our place,” said Hudson.
“It’s really important, if we want to make the step up that we said we do at the start of this season, then we need to go out and chase that elusive first win at home next week.
“If we can take away the good from today, carry it into next week, and make sure we learn from the mistakes we made as well, then we are in the best position to get a result.”
The Head Coach also called on Tigers fans to be a part of the matchday, including staying for the second game, next weekend at Mattioli Woods Welford Road to kick-off 2025.
“I hope as many fans as possible can be there, I hope they all stick around to watch the team,” he said.
“The support has been brilliant so far and we want to give the Leicester Tigers fans something to enjoy watching, something to cheer about and hopefully we do next Saturday at home.”
Start 2025 at home with Tigers Family and friends for the New Year Double Header on Saturday, February 4.
Mattioli Woods Welford Road hosts a Gallagher Premiership game against Exeter Chiefs (3.05pm) before a Premiership Women's Rugby showdown with Sale Sharks Women (5.50pm) next Saturday, January 4.
Be there to cheer on both sides in the first fixture of 2025 as the second half of the campaign officially gets underway!
