Ben Youngs relishing Aaron Mauger learning curve at Leicester

Ben Youngs hopes trophy success and renewed confidence at Leicester will underpin his claims to the England No.9 jersey while enhancing his chances of a Lions trip to New Zealand.
Youngs, who turns 27 tomorrow, has 61 England caps and is closing in on Matt Dawson’s scrum-half record of 77, having featured in all nine Tests under Jones.
The experienced No.9 told TRP: “It’s important we get off to a good start because we don’t want to reach the end of the season playing ‘must win’ games six or seven out.
“In recent years we’ve given ourselves too much to do and then, come semi-final time, there’s been nothing left and we’ve been out-thought and out-fought.
“But we’ve got a good balance to our side and someone like JP Pietersen is a big, physical winger who will really give us some extra punch.
“With Manu Tuilagi making hard yards and Freddie Burns and Matt Toomua pulling strings, it’s going to be an exciting season.”
Youngs credits Leicester head coach Aaron Mauger and England boss Eddie Jones for reigniting his enthusiasm for rugby after last year’s World Cup woe.
He added: “It’s been really enjoyable working with Eddie and Aaron and they make you want to come into work and be challenged every day.
“With England, Eddie’s instilled great confidence within the side, and he also brings tremendous confidence to you individually – the tour was a great example.
“We went to Australia with a clear approach to the games and once we had that in place, we were able to build confidence and execute and it was hugely enjoyable.
“It’s very similar back at Leicester now and Aaron is really clear in where he wants to take the side and how we want to play. It makes you want to learn and you feel like you’re getting something out of every day – it’s great to feel like I’m being challenged and pushed a bit.
“My motivation is always there because you love the game, but sometimes you come in and the fun has stopped, or the excitement of getting better has stopped.
“Whenever I’ve dipped in form or struggled in some part it’s down to that really, but under Aaron I feel I’m being challenged and it’s the same with Eddie.”
Youngs could potentially overtake Dawson’s record in the autumn of 2017 but with Danny Care and Wasps duo Joe Simpson and Dan Robson snapping at his heels, Youngs is wisely adopting a cautious approach.
He said: “I was capped young and been fortunate to carry my momentum on. But you can’t allow yourself to get distracted by records, experience has taught me to just worry about performing.
“There’s always been strength-in-depth with the scrum-half position but I’m not trying to over-think it. We’re fortunate to have a huge amount of talent.”