Orlando Bailey: Leicester Tigers fly-half enjoying ‘fresh start’

Leicester Tigers fly-half Orlando Bailey says he is “excited” by the way “top leader” Geoff Parling wants the club’s much-changed squad to play.

Former England and British and Irish Lions lock Parling, who was assistant coach with Australia until August, has taken charge of a new-look coaching team and playing group.

“They’ve all been very welcoming and it’s been good fun,” Bailey told BBC Radio Leicester.

He added that he “wasn’t sure how accepted it would be” to join from Bath, where he made his debut as an 18-year-old and spent five years as a senior player.

“Moving to a rugby club, you automatically gain 30 or 40 friends, which does make the whole process easier,” he said.

“There was a bit of congestion at Bath in the fly-half position with Finn Russell, who’s an amazing player.

“I still managed to chip in off the bench but I had a few injuries last season, which was very frustrating and left me thinking I needed a bit of a fresh start.

“I wasn’t getting the game time I wanted to develop as a player and see where I could go.

“I spoke to Geoff and it sounded like an exciting new chapter for the club and something I wanted to be a part of.

“He’s a really top leader and he’s got a good hold on the group already. It’s a massive club – one of the biggest in England.”