Leicester Tigers' Tom Youngs aims to silence French crowd
Hooker Tom Youngs has emphasised the importance of silencing the French crowd when Leicester Tigers travel to Toulouse for their Heineken Cup clash with the four-time European champions.
The French giants boast an impressive record on home soil, having won 10 of their last 11 Heineken Cup games there.
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Leicester Tigers' hooker Tom Youngs
Youngs has started all six of Tigers' Aviva Premiership games this season and could make his Heineken debut if selected for Sunday's encounter.
It would also be the first time Youngs has played competitive rugby in France. The former centre said he expects it to be a very loud and hostile place to play rugby.
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"The French crowd will be loud and noisy and banging their drums," he said. "But you can silence them if you get stuck into their side and make them work hard. If we can do that, the crowd will start to settle down a bit.
"You've just got to take the crowd away from them.
"It will be great though – these are the sorts of occasions you want to play in, when it's like an arena and you're in battle."
Tigers have not enjoyed their visits to France in recent years, having lost all of their last five trips. Toulouse has also not been a happy hunting ground – Tigers have won only once there, back in 1997.
Despite the tough prospect facing them, Youngs said it is essential they chase something in the game.
"We are very confident. We are going to go there and try and win the thing and I think we've got the squad to do that," he said. "But, also, if they're in the lead, we'll be chasing that bonus point – you've got to chase something.
"Win or lose, we have to come away with something. If we win it, fair enough, we've got four or five points, but if we lose it, we've got to come away with that bonus point. End of."
Tigers will be looking to emulate Harlequins, who returned from Toulouse triumphant last season after picking up a famous 31-24 victory.
Youngs added that he is trying to stay as relaxed as possible.
"I think if you build it up in your heads too much you won't perform," he said. "You can't worry about them too much – they're a good side, but we play good sides week in, week out.
"It's about us getting our set-piece right, our line-out and scrum right and go from there.
"We will be trying to keep our discipline and not give away any silly penalties, but also build the pressure on them.
"You've just got to grab the bull by the horns as they say, really go for it and enjoy the whole experience.
"The pressure is on them. They don't want to lose at home. We've just got to go and perform."
Comments
by leicesterish
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:39AM
“Just hit your jumpers at the line-out, Tom and all will be well. Your work around the park is superb, your tackle count is seriously impressive and your ball carrying reflects the fact that you used to be one of the girls, but your line-out is wonky. Get the throws in straight, on-target and on time, and Tigers will record a huge victory.”