Will Skinner revealed his burning desire to hold onto the Leicester number seven jersey.
Leicester flanker Will Skinner has spoken of his burning desire to hold on to the club's famous number seven jersey, previously held by World Cup winner Neil Back.
After the retirements of Back and Martin Johnson during the summer, there were suggestions that the Tigers' dominance at the top of English rugby would fall away with a vastly less experienced forward pack.
However, the three-man battle royale for Back's old position - between Skinner, Shane Jennings and Luke Abraham - has fired Leicester to the top of the Guinness Premiership.
And Skinner is keen to follow in his predecessor's footsteps by holding onto the position for years to come.
"We've always had great strength in depth at Leicester Tigers, if somebody else is ruled out for some reason you need to step up and take the opportunity you've been presented with," stressed the 21-year-old to the club's official website.
"I was pleased with the way things went against Leeds, and this week, now I just need to keep hold of that No.7 shirt.
"This is my first opportunity this season to show what I can do - at home and in the starting line-up. I'm really excited and determined to keep performing now that I'm starting."
Skinner has performed so well over the past two weeks that coach Pat Howard has been forced to shift Jennings to six in order to accommodate both players.
Competition is fierce, but Skinner insists that he would not have it any other way.
"We've all worked hard this season. I don't think you look around at all the other No.7s and try and outdo them, but it's great having competition as it does spur you on."
