Winger who is learning new tricks with Tigers

OLLIE Hassell-Collins appeared to be in for a rugby lifestyle change when he signed for Leicester last season from London Irish.

- PAUL REES

The Tigers are known for their emphasis on forward play, set-pieces, mauling competing at breakdown and kicking with precision, whereas London Irish, who folded little more than two months after it was announced wing Hassell-Collins would be joining the Tigers in the summer, had a reputation for risk-taking and swashbuckling adventure.

“I understood what I was coming to at Leicester,” said Hassell-Collins, who makes his seventh Premiership start for the Tigers at home to bottom club Newcastle this afternoon.

“Dan (McKeller, Leices-ter’s head coach) spoke about evolving our attack and throwing the ball around more, as we did in the second half at Gloucester in the last round.

“Once we get the balance of what Leicester are good at, the pack and kicking, and what we want to improve on, which is moving the ball and attacking, I think we will be flying.