Ahead of creating Premiership Rugby history on Saturday afternoon, when he becomes the first player to make 300 appearances in the competition, Leicester Tigers scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth and his former team-mate, turned coach, Steve Borthwick, chat about the milestone.

Wigglesworth is in line to make the milestone appearance on Saturday at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in his first match in front of Tigers supporters.

Speaking after the squad’s final session in preparation for the Gallagher Premiership Round 20 fixture against Bristol Bears, the Tigers head coach said: “To make 300 appearances in a competition like Premiership Rugby is an incredible achievement.

“Richard has reached this feat through his determination and hunger to want to be the very best he can be and the high standards he sets himself as a professional rugby player.”

Borthwick played alongside Wigglesworth for four seasons at Saracens, as well as representing England together on the international stage, with the pair appearing together on 95 occasions for club and country.

After retiring as a player in 2014, Borthwick coached the scrum-half during his time with the England squad.

Looking back on their time together as players and in recent months as coach and player, Borthwick praised the half-back’s hunger to improve throughout his 19-year career.

“It has been a great privilege for me to witness his hard work up close, first as a player and now as a coach,” said Borthwick.

“Even after 299 Premiership appearances and more than 460 games in the league, Europe and on the international stage, he is still as hungry and committed now to be improve and learn as he was when he made his professional debut as a teenager.”

Discussing Wigglesworth’s contribution to Leicester Tigers since arriving this season, Borthwick added: “His contribution to Tigers in a short period has been great for our group and players of all ages and experience levels in the Leicester squad.

“It is great that he will be able to reach this milestone, the only player to have played 300 Premiership games in almost 25 years, in front of supporters at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”

The Tigers scrum-half, however, does not allow the achievement to dominate his thoughts in the build-up to the final home game of the season against the league-leading Bears.

Sitting in the home dug-out at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, after the Team Run in preparation for the game, Wigglesworth said his mind was solely on the job at hand.

“It’s exciting to think it has finally come around but, for now, I’m honestly just focusing on the 80 minutes we have ahead of us against Bristol,” said the 37-year-old.

“Yes, it's going to be a proud moment and – thankfully – I'll be able to do it in front of my family, with fans allowed back in, and also it’s a nice coincidence to do it in my first game with Tigers supporters in the stadium.

“I am sure once the full-time whistle blows I'll have a moment to appreciate the achievement.”

And, in typical fashion, he added: “It’s a cliché, but it’s just about the game for me until it’s all over ... ask me at full-time how I feel about it!”