AMY RELF: 'PLENTY MORE TO COME' FROM TIGERS

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Amy Relf believes there is ‘plenty more to come’ from her side as they look to take their Allianz Cup learnings into their maiden Premiership Women’s Rugby campaign, writes Joe Harvey.

Vicky Macqueen’s side are currently without a win after three matches but welcome Exeter Chiefs to Mattioli Woods Welford Road this weekend bidding to keep building as the league season looms.

Having spent last season competing in Women's Championship North 1, the side have welcomed new coaches and new players to the set-up but several are yet to get to grips with life in the East Midlands, having been flying the flag for their countries in WXV competition.

In time, Tess Feury, Tahlia Brody, Keia Mae Sagapolu (all USA), Catha Jacobs (South Africa), Leah Bartlett, Eva Donaldson, Elis Martin and Francesca McGhie (all Scotland) will be hoping to add their experience to the side from November.

Warm up complete, ready for action 🐯🏉 pic.twitter.com/eBsD3BjQU1

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) October 14, 2023

"Most of us were here last season, everyone knows each other as well,” Relf said.

"There have been a few additions from other clubs that have only added to us but we haven't actually met all of our players to come for this season.

"We had the Scottish girls, but they have flown off, and we haven’t met the Americans.

"It is quite exciting that we are already at a stage where we are quite happy with each other. We are all getting on but there is still more to come as well."

Over the past nine years, Relf has very much made the East Midlands home. After being introduced to rugby by a friend at her dance school, Relf never looked back.

First playing for Edenbridge Rugby Club, Relf moved on to the Aylesford Bulls before heading to Leicestershire at 16 to start studying at Loughborough College.

Ready for Round 2.#COYT🐯 pic.twitter.com/AzO2aEkh1J

— Leicester Tigers Women's (@TigersWomens) September 30, 2023

There she watched the likes of Amy Cokayne and Meg Jones both make their first steps into senior rugby wearing African Violet.

During her time at Loughborough, Relf made a number of appearances for Lightning in Premiership Women's Rugby, while also playing for the University side in BUCS competition and for local club side, Loughborough RFC.

Relf's performances routinely saw the scrum-half selected for Leicestershire and the England U18 Women's Sevens squad and after leaving Loughborough, Relf has very much found a home with nearby Tigers.

Last season, Relf was even involved off the pitch as a performance nutritionist, taking some of the knowledge from her day job as a health advisor to help her teammates push themselves to new heights.

An integral part of Macqueen's plans, Relf's versatility has seen the 24-year-old utilised across the Tigers backline as one of the most trusted members of the playing group.

"I played with Lucy (Nye) last year, and now we have got Polly (Roberts) coming into the squad, so that is three scrum-halves," Relf said.

"We are always pushing each other in training and helping each other out as well. We are all just one big team.

"It helps for myself that I can cover other positions. This season I have played more on the wing than at nine, last year I played more at 10 than I did at nine. I have been fitting in where needs be."

Beaten 55-3 last time out against Bristol Bears at Shaftesbury Park, Relf and her teammates now face the stern task of playing two-time Allianz Cup winners Exeter Chiefs.

In some ways it will be a dress rehearsal for the side's first league game next month, where their opening fixture will be against the same opposition at the same venue on Sunday 19 November.

"We have got Exeter in the first league game, so it will be interesting to compare where we are in the Cup compared to the league," Relf said.

"We came into this week ripe and ready. Everyone is fresh, ready and our heads are on it. The intensity is definitely there in training and we are looking forward to the weekend."