Like most second-rowers at Leicester Tigers these days, Ben Gulliver has spent the week doing more homework than a desperate student.

The 29-year-old came to Welford Road on a three-month loan deal from the Cornish Pirates to strengthen an area of the squad that has been decimated by injuries.

If things go well, the Coventry-born lock could earn himself a full-time deal at the Premiership champions.

The trouble is, it takes most second-rowers three months to learn the complexities of the line-out. Gulliver has to learn in a hurry.

"It's a tough challenge," he said with a wry grin. "I got told that I would be playing (in the A League) on Monday and I would be running the lineout.

"It's meant a lot of studying at home and it has been on my mind a lot.

"It has been quite a stressful week. I have been waking up at 3am and wondering what this and that calls were – but I am getting there. Richard Cockerill makes it straightforward so it's about me putting a few hours to one side so I can learn all of the calls."

Gulliver's move to Leicester came out of the blue and as a shock to someone who has made a name for himself playing Championship rugby.

"I didn't want to get my hopes up when I first heard about it but it came about so quickly in the end and I didn't take long to think about.

"I got called in by the coach (at the Pirates) and told to pack my bags. Richard Cockerill then gave me a call and I was in last Wednesday having a medical.

"I have to get my head down, work hard and enjoy it too. I am 29 now and didn't think I would get this sort of opportunity.

"It was a big surprise because I had just signed a two-year deal at the PIrates.

"I am excited and all of the lads have been really welcoming.

"The staff from top to bottom have made me feel really welcome too."

Having come to Leicester from Championship rugby, Gulliver is in a better position than most to judge the challenge posed by Exeter when the newly-promoted side arrive at Welford Road on Saturday.

"I know a lot of their players," he said. "They are very physical, especially around the contact area.

"They have good players up front and they are a very forward-orientated team.

"If our discipline is not right, Gareth Steenson (fly-half) will hurt you.

"The first 15 to 20 minutes will be pretty ferocious but then I think the quality here will come through.

"They got promoted so late because of the play-off system and that limited their recruitment opportunities.

"But I think they have enough quality to stay up."