The exciting prospect, from Melton, was called into the Tigers sevens squad for the second year running and picked to start both matches.

He even matched his try-scoring exploits of his Twickenham debut with a fine try against Leicester's old foes London Wasps.

Following good work by Croft, skipper George Chuter and Tom Armes, Aley chipped the ball over the defence and gathered the bouncing ball to score, before adding his second of three conversions on the day.

He said: "I was quite happy with that.

"It was quite a shock, but actually a really good experience, especially on my birthday."

An extra-time try eventually accounted for Wasps, but Tigers were beaten 31-7 in the quarter-finals by the British Army team.

Aley has been a member of the club's vaunted academy for two years and this season hopes to claim a regular spot with the club's Development XI, second string to the senior first XV.

He is returning to National Three side Nuneaton to continue a loan spell he began at the back end of last season to gain experience of men's rugby.

This would allow him to play Guinness A League rugby with Tigers' Development XV on Monday nights.

Aley added: "I went to Nuneaton at the end of last season for about two months and am going back for a whole year to get some adult rugby experience and break into the A League.

"The A League is my main aim this season and my coaches have told me I'm heading in the right direction. I'm just into my third year there now and I'm really enjoying it.

"Everyone gets on well and it feels like you have constantly got your best friends there with you."

Aley played twice for the Development side last season, against Leeds in his favoured fly-half position and at full-back against Sale.

"When I joined Leicester I was playing full-back for England Under 16s so that is where I played for Leicester, but my main position is fly-half.

"But if Leicester want me to play at full-back I'm obviously happy to do that."