The progress of almost 20 players up through the Leicester Tigers system this summer is an indication of the strength of the club’s academy.

Seven players who have been promoted into the senior squad from development level for 2019/20 are products of the club’s academy system, and another 11 will step up to follow in their footsteps from the age-group ranks.

“The changes we’ve put in place in the academy over the last few years are starting to bear fruit – and not just at development level but in the senior squad too,” said Ged Glynn who, as head of performance pathway and talent identification at Tigers, has overall responsibility for the academy’s work.

“It’s not just about coming up through the academy but also that important step into the development squad and what happens to them then.

“Development is a continuing process which is not just based on age. Players develop and mature at different rates and we’re hoping to give as many as possible the maximum time to reach their potential here.”

Ben White and Tommy Reffell, who both captained their country at under-20s level, are among the seven academy graduates who join the senior squad for the new season.