Anthony Watson: 'My favourite thing about Leicester so far...'

Fit-again England back Anthony Watson has revealed his favourite thing so far at Leicester since his summer switch to the Gallagher Premiership champions after nine seasons at Bath. The 28-year-old suffered an ACL rupture last October in what turned out to be his last appearance at The Rec before linking up with Steve Borthwick’s Tigers. 

Now fully rehabbed and looking to ultimately forced his way back into the reckoning with England where he has been capped 51 times, the 2021 and 2017 Lions tourist made his Leicester debut as the starting full-back in last Friday’s 35-26 pre-season win at Jersey. 

Watson has now spoken about his first impressions at Leicester, the third Premiership club he has played for as his career started at London Irish before moved on to Bath. 

Asked on the Leicester Tigers TV series Under The Stripes about how he has settled in at Oval Park, he said: “My favourite thing about the club so far has probably been the intensity from the start. It’s very clear in terms of what is expected of you and the intensity is right up there. I have loved that.”

Watson also explained his satisfaction at the messages coming from head coach Borthwick, whom he previously encountered when the Leicester boss worked as one of Eddie Jones’ England assistants. 

“I was lucky enough to work with Steve in England so I kind of knew-ish what to expect. He is very clear in what he expects from people and he is straight talking which is class as are his ideas as a director of rugby,” said Watson, who added that his career highlight was the success England enjoyed in their first season under Jones.  

“The career highlight I am most proud of is the 2016 Six Nations Grand Slam just because of what happened at the World Cup beforehand. Everyone was expecting us to be a flop in that Six Nations and we went and won the Grand Slam.”

Watson rounded off his maiden Leicester interview by naming the players he is closest to so far at Tigers. “The closest teammate in the squad is probably Freddie Burns or Ben Youngs but Kini (Murimurivalu) is right up there, he has given me entertainment on a daily basis. I love that guy.”