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Back keen for home comforts to boost survival
LEEDS Carnegie have set a survival target of victory in a third of their games after learning yesterday they will open the new Guinness Premiership campaign against two clubs seen by many as their chief relegation rivals.
The National One champions begin against Newcastle Falcons at Headingley Carnegie on Sunday, September 6, before heading south six days later to face Worcester Warriors.
All three sides consist of the bookies favourites to be embroiled in a relegation battle but head coach Neil Back insists his Leeds team will approach every game with victory in mind.
"The aim is to stabilise and consolidate in the Premiership and to do that we will have to win a third of the games, that was what was required last year to achieve survival," said Back in reference to the seven games won by second-bottom Worcester last year.
"We'll be looking to get a result from every game, be it a maximum-point win, four points or a losing bonus point.
"We'll look to play hard in every game, it won't matter if we are playing Newcastle or Leicester, we will approach every game the same."
Worcester's seven wins saw them amass 34 points with Newcastle two wins and 10 points better off in 10th place.
Bristol were relegated with just two victories and 17 points and although Leeds are favourites to finish bottom for the second time in three years, Back is hoping to make the bookies eat their words by following the example set by their promoted predecessors Northampton who finished mid-table and won the European Challenge Cup in their first season back in the elite.
"Northampton won all but one game at home last season and home form is going to be of key importance for us," added Back, who will have to wait until the final weekend in November for a reunion with his former Leicester Tigers employers.
"We need the Yorkshire public to get behind the team. Home advantage normally gives teams an edge and we need to make sure we turn that advantage to our favour.
"If we can make Headingley a fortress then we'll survive.
"We have looked at our games when the Six Nations and the Autumn Internationals are on and the majority of those fixtures are at Headingley.
"That is a time when we can hopefully take advantage of international call-ups that are affecting other teams."
Following the visit to Worcester, Leeds return to Headingley to take on last season's Premiership runners-up London Irish.
A trip to Northampton Saints rounds off September before Gloucester visit Headingley on Sunday, October 4, after which the domestic season will take a two-week break for the European Challenge Cup, by which time, Leeds hope to have found their Premiership rhythm.
"Pre-season is all about getting into a position where we hit the ground running, just as we did last season," said Back.
"We were back in training before many other clubs and our players have returned physically and mentally sharp, and we are hoping that advantage pays off. Plus we won't be disrupted by Lions players coming back as other teams will."
Champions Leicester visit Headingley on Valentine's Day while the return match against Newcastle is scheduled for Boxing Day weekend. Leeds conclude their campaign at Bath on Saturday, May 8.
Western Foce prop Gareth Hardy became the club's fourth summer signing last week, but after releasing eight players at the end of last season – including Tom Biggs and Rob Vickerman who joined Newcastle – Back has vowed that the recruitment will continue.
"We are looking to get another two or three players in over the next couple of weeks," he added.
Mark Luffman yesterday set the record straight that he would not be taking over as head coach of Otley, insisting his main priority is in helping develop the academy at Leeds Carnegie.
Luffman, Carnegie's assistant academy manager, said: "I'm helping Otley out in terms of putting a squad together for next year and I will continue in my role as forwards coach there if required, but I will not be taking over as coach or director of rugby.
"My main role is with Leeds as assistant academy manager. We have an involvement with Otley, but also with other Yorkshire clubs like Rotherham, Wharfedale and Harrogate."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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