Leicester forward George Skivington is eager to return to the England set-up but insists his initial focus is on establishing himself with his new club.

Skivington joined Tigers from Wasps at the end of last season.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "There is so much here for me to learn just to keep my shirt on my back at this club

"I want to further my international career - I was dropped from the squads so want to get back in - but that comes with playing good rugby for my club."

He added: "I am not going to worry too much about that stuff - hopefully it will come but I am so excited to be a Tiger and I just want to get stuck in."

And Skivington said the Premiership opener away to Northampton Saints on Saturday - a game which pitches last season's top two against each other - is the ideal way to start.

"It's a massive game to start," Skivington said. "It's the two teams that finished up there last season and it's a local derby.

"It should be a hell of a game. They have names throughout the team and they have recruited well."

Skivington hopes his pace and ability to carry the ball will prove invaluable to the Tigers.

"Hopefully I can add something to the team," he said.

"I think I'm a pretty mobile forward with a good running game, if I get some space.

"My all-round game is pretty good and I think my pace and mobility can add a new dimension but everyone here is a good player and can add something.

"I'm still getting my head around the fact that this will be my home but I'm excited and I know the fans are very passionate here."

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said Tigers had a few injury concerns ahead of the first match, but was confident they had enough quality to cope.

"We're okay but obviously our second row is a slight problem," Cockerill said.

"Steve Mafi has arrived so he is there to bolster the squad and is a good, young promising player. He is a big lump - like a younger version of Tom Croft but with slightly more weight.

"Geoff Parling and Richard Blaze are injured, Louis Deacon has some ongoing back problems so we will see if he is fit.

"Croft is fit to play but apart from the second row issues we are in good nick. Jordan Crane has his ankle problem and won't be available but we have a very strong squad and we make no excuses.

"We'll play with who we've got and I'm very happy with that because they are all good players."

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