Back recently signed a contract extension at Leeds

Head coach Neil Back insists morale remains high at Leeds Carnegie despite defeats in their opening four matches.

Leeds sit bottom of the Premiership after losses against Bath, Gloucester, Saracens and Leicester Tigers.

"We have quality players and quality leadership here now within the squad," Back told BBC Radio Leeds.

"They will not let people splinter and will keep everything together. The spirit is still high. We have a lot of pride and we'll come out fighting."

Leeds head to London Irish on Saturday off the back of their 48-6 loss to the Tigers, their biggest defeat of the season so far.

"It's not an excuse, it's fact, we have been compromised by injuries through pre-season and in our training weeks," added Back.

"So we are slightly off the pace. It's not a case of fitness or physicality , it's just match practise.

We know at our best we can beat anyone, we just haven't been at our best yet. Leeds head coach Neil Back

"Hopefully when we get everyone fit and well we can up the intensity and physicality in training and that will have a carry over into the game.

"We've played four games and there are 18 to go. This time last season we have two points at this stage, this time we have one.

"We could and should have won at Gloucester and against Saracens. We didn't and we have to cop it at the moment.

"But behind the scenes the players have huge belief and huge amounts of confidence.

"We know at our best we can beat anyone, we just haven't been at our best yet."

606: DEBATE I still believe it is possible for Leeds to achieve success in the Premiership, but in order for that to happen it requires a major change TheSnowmonkey

One man to return from injury is Danny Paul, whose substitute appearance at Leicester was his first in a year after a major shoulder operation.

"Danny was outstanding and he was one of the real positives [from the Leicester game]. He's back after 12 months out and his contribution was massive," said Back.

"He'll only get better with more game time and it's good get him back.

"When we get everyone back on deck we'll put in a better performance."

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