And the 28-year-old insists Steve Meehan’s men will have to fly out of the traps if they are to inflict a fourth defeat on the Premiership champions.

“I still have a lot of friends at Leicester and it will be strange playing against them.

“When it comes to the game it will just be another game. I will beat my friends up and just try and score some tries.

“I have received a few text messages from my ex-team mates but nothing too malicious; it is all good fun.

“We have led a fair bit of the video analysis and obviously Lewis is not playing this weekend so he has had his own input into the sessions.

“You have to get off to a good start against Leicester and if we get into a kicking battle we will struggle.

“We need to get onto the scoreboard as early as possible.”

Elsewhere Paul Doran-Jones is hoping that Gloucester’s game against Harlequins will kick start his season.

The Cherry & Whites powerhouse has suffered a series of niggling injuries this term but is fit for the Quins clash.

Doran-Jones said: “I have been enjoying an extended run after my recent injury difficulties.

“Gradually my form is coming back and I am getting my fitness back up to where it should be.

“We look to take on Harlequins at home and see what they have got. They play rugby and so do we.

“I have always got my hands full and I’m looking forward to facing either Joe Marler or Ceri Jones.”

On Sunday Northampton Saints’ Courtney Lawes will face Wasps with one eye on the autumn internationals.

Lawes said: “International rugby isn’t too different from domestic rugby – the players are all quality and there are no weak links in the sides.

“There’s a lot more pressure on you, because a lot more people are watching, but I like to test myself to see how far I can go.”