Ben Youngs pleased with early days under Leicester Tigers coach Dan McKellar - 'I like the way it's heading'

England legend Ben Youngs is feeling quietly confident about Leicester Tigers' future under new head coach Dan McKellar.

The Australian has worked his way up in the game from his first coaching role at semi-professional Australian side Souths Rugby Club. Four years at Super Rugby side Brumbies were the making of him and he served as Australia's assistant coach from 2021 to 2023.

With title-winning coach Steve Borthwick leaving Leicester at the end of last season to take the England job, McKellar took over as his replacement in July.

Youngs, England's most capped men's player, has seen plenty of coaches come and go in his 17 seasons with Leicester, but he likes what he sees so far.

Speaking after Leicester's comprehensive victory over Newcastle Falcons on Sunday evening, Youngs said: "Dan's been terrific, I really enjoy him as a bloke. He's got a real good, Australian way of wanting to play.

"We want to be more ambitious and move the ball more and all that. I like the way it's heading, I like him. The team's trying to develop and move quickly."

Youngs underlined the fact that changing approach can be difficult when the season is already underway, but with so many key players having been away due to the World Cup, the situation couldn't be helped.

"You've got three days to do it, with a game of consequence at the end of the week. So there's only so much you can do each week trying to layer it on," he continued.

Leicester struggled in the early part of the season with so many internationals away in France, losing their first five matches.

However, since the return of their big names - Youngs chief among them - they have turned a corner.

He added: "Yeah I think it's important to recognise, a lot of the guys going away and they came back in and they're trying to learn under new coaches. To come back and get momentum... to be where we are now, we'll take it."

Wins over Northampton, Gloucester and Sunday's thrashing of Newcastle have lifted them back into contention in what is shaping up as a delightfully competitive Premiership season.

Youngs also addressed the difficult conditions of a wet track and near freezing temperatures.

He laughed and said: "It was horrible out there to be honest with you, but the forwards loved it."

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