It will come as no surprise to the friends and family of Leicester Tigers scrum-half Sam Harrison that their man is a real fighter. Leicestershire born-and-bred, Harrison used to enjoy a scrap as a member of the Olympic Boxing Club in his home town of Hinckley.

Having grown up and joined the Tigers, Harrison is still fighting tooth and nail.

"I get a lot of stick at the club," said Harrison, 21. "I live in Hinckley and I am not the sharpest tool in the box. It's not a great combination."

Deep down, you sense he does not really care. Harrison is no longer the new kid on the block hoping for 20 minutes off the bench. He has earned his shot in the first team, and if every player has a breakthrough season, this is his time.

Harrison started just two games before this season but has made 12 appearances, including eight starts, in this campaign.

He has got people talking, too. With a lightning-quick delivery from the ruck and a fizzing pass, there is clear technical potential.

Natural attacking instincts make him a threat at the breakdown and, far from shying away from physical confrontation, he thrives on it. Harrison has all the aggressive traits that are God-given in all good scrum-halves.

Leicester's coaching staff are as impressed as the supporters, and the club are close to finalising a new contract for him.

Harrison is the latest scrum-half to roll off Tigers Academy's production line. See Harry Ellis and Ben Youngs for further details.

Can he be as good as them? Well, that challenge drives him on in an area that is more competitive than ever with Youngs, Micky Young and James Grindal to battle with.

He said: "Youngsy is first-choice when he is here but the rest of us do everything we can to try and play. We are all pretty equal.

"Micky has been injured, Grinders is a good player and we have all had a few games.

"We all push each other in training and know we have to play well to get the chance. Wanting that shirt is the thing that drives us on.

"I have not played a huge amount of rugby in the last few weeks so it was good to get out there and play against Aironi last weekend.

"I am getting used to it now, running out with the lads. I am starting to feel more confident. There are a lot of big names in our pack and, when I first got into the team, it was strange bossing them around.

"Now I have played a few games, I feel more confident to shout at them. Ben Youngs has always been a confident person, despite his age, and that has taught me well."

Harrison was a footballer when he was growing up. One day, he was dragged to Hinckley RFC under-10s for a run-around and, with current Tigers prop Ryan Bower's dad in charge, he loved it.

He said: "I never looked back really. Rugby is more of a team game than football. The spirit and social aspect was better and more enjoyable.

"I won the Prima Tiger Cup as a youngster at Welford Road. (Ex Tigers prop) Graham Rowntree presented me with the cup. That was massive for me at that age.

"I loved my boxing, too, and had a few fights for Hinckley Olympic. But when I got into the Academy here, I had to stop."

It was the right decision as appearances for England Under-16s, 18s and 20s followed.

He started off as a fly-half but was asked to try on the No.9 shirt when he broke through into the County age groups ranks.

He said: "I couldn't get into the team at first. It was frustrating. But I got there in the end." Another battle won then.