Young lock forward Calum Green paid tribute to senior members of the squad after making his full Leicester Tigers debut at just four hours notice.

The 19-year-old Academy product was called into the starting line-up to face Northampton at lunchtime on Saturday after Richard Blaze pulled out with injury.

He said he owed a lot to his experienced colleagues on a day when the noise of a near sold-out Welford Road made just hearing the lineout calls extremely difficult.

"It was unbelievable," he said. "I got the call at 1pm from Cockers saying that Blaze was injured and that I would be playing

"It was a step up from what I am used to. It was a lot more physical and faster – and you have to make decisions a lot faster. The first five or 10 minutes were a bit difficult but I got into a rhythm and it was fine.

"I couldn't have done it without people Ben Kay and Mefin Davies though. They talked to me before and during the game to make sure that I knew all the moves and were great to me.

"I couldn't hear all of the lineout calls at times. I am not used to playing in front of 24,000 people. In front of that new Caterpillar Stand, I couldnt hear a thing.

"I am tired but really happy now."