Ollie Hassell-Collins: Leicester wing wants to remind Harlequins of his world-class finishing in PREM clash

Leicester's PREM season did not get off to an ideal start with a 42-24 loss to Bristol Bears, despite starting the match in fine fashion.

Tigers led for much of the first half, with a brace from Adam Radwan and a try from Jack van Poortvliet, but were unable to finish strongly as Bristol raced away with the game in the final stages.

The East Midlands outfit's penalty count was a considerable talking point in the outcome of the match, conceding 15 to Bristol's 8.

"They know that they're one of the best attacking threats in the league," said Hassell-Colllins, who spoke to Ruck in a Leicester Tigers media session.

"So to go against them in the first game is always tough. But, I think our our discipline just killed us a little bit. I think we couldn't quite work out how to get back on top.

"We got into the 22 and we just missed. It's something we've absolutely been working on this week.

"There might have been bit of a drop off in focus, a bit drop off of physicality. It's about moving on to the next job, focusing, getting getting your mind right and getting back into it."

Hassell-Collins and Leicester will face Harlequins in round two, who are also searching for the first win after losing to Bath on the opening weekend.

Notorious for a fast-paced and unpredictable style of play, Hassell-Collins expects to have a busy day at the office.

"Their back three is pretty good. I think our back three as well, can cause some damage," he said.

"I'll definitely be busy. Their centres as well, they're pretty good as well. It'll be a good battle.

"We got got one point, out of last week. To get the the four or the five would be nice. If we get a win this weekend, it will kick start the season. We can go go flying into Saints the week after. It'd be huge for us."

It was a similar tale for both Tigers and Quins as fast starts were quickly unravelled by the opposition. The Londoners looked to be off to a dream beginning to their campaign before being brought quickly back down to reality.

The former London Irish flyer will be keen to face his old rivals and with the heavy expectation of the Welford Road masses behind him, the match could be set to be an all-timer.

"I think you have got to want to start strong in this league. If you put yourself on the back foot, it's a tough climb to get back level. Starting fast at home, it will be key for us."

With Leicester bringing in changes from Geoff Parling into the head coach role and a number of departures, supplemented with some big name arrivals including Australian international, James O'Connor, it could appear to be a period of transition for the side.

"I love here playing with the boys, playing at Welford Road. I think I'm one of the best finishers in the league. I would like to be on the scoresheet this week.

On a change of mentality and coaching with the appointment of Parling, Hassell-Collins said: "I've said it previously, as long as we're taking the opportunities around, if the space is there, then we've got license to take it.

"We're not doing anything that we haven't done already. So it's not I don't think it should be a massive surprise."

The loss against Bristol will sting but Tigers are known for roaring back from the depths. Hassell-Collins and co will be raring to go to put the wrongs right and give the Leicester faithful something to shout about.