Scrum-half Ben Youngs is no longer the plucky teenager hoping for a bit of game-time here and there.

By his own admission, this is a "big year" for the 20-year-old after two seasons learning his trade in the first-team squad.

Youngs was clearly third choice in his chosen position last season behind British & Irish Lion Harry Ellis and French international Julien Dupuy.

But it is not so clear-cut this time around for the man who made his third consecutive start in the 12-9 defeat at Gloucester on Friday night.

Ellis is set to be with the England squad for the Six Nations and Youngs has every right to think he is on level terms with new signing James Grindal in the battle for the No.9 shirt in Ellis's absence.

"In previous years, I have been happy to get some games here and there," he said.

"This is my third time in the first-team squad and my hunger is still there. I see myself as having a really big opportunity this year and I have that little bit of belief in myself.

"The boys have got behind me and all of the coaches have got behind me too."

"The more games you play, the more confident you become. I have played several games now and have become a lot more relaxed about certain things.

"I am not too worried about making mistakes any more and feel a lot more relaxed. That's great.

"The coaches here at Leicester have given me a lot of confidence and that is very important.

"I can feed off that and start believing in myself. There is still a lot to work on and Harry Ellis and James Grindal are very good players so there is obviously hot competition.

"But it could be a good year. We will have to wait and see."

Youngs played 19 games in the Leicester first team last season and made a huge impact in 17 appearances as a substitute.

Head coach Richard Cockerill has challenged his England Under-20s star to have just as big an impact on the game when he is given a starting jersey.

And Youngs believes he could not wish for a better pack to play behind and help him achieve that aim.

"All of us scrum-halves at Leicester are very lucky to have such a dominant pack," he said.

"They have a good line-out and scrum and work very hard on all aspects of the game. All we have to do is boss them around.

"There is no other pack I would want to be behind in the whole of the Guinness Premiership.

"We played some great stuff last season and picked up lots of four-try bonus points with some attractive rugby. We are also good at catching and driving, though, and we shouldn't take that away from ourselves.

"To be successful this season, I think it is about getting a good blend of the two."