Leeds Carnegie mauled by Tigers

The Tigers ran in eight tries and hammered a Leeds pack, drilled by former Tigers legend Neil Back, into submission.

Alesana Tuilagi scored two tries, his brother Manu got one, and others came from Tom Croft, Scott Hamilton, Thomas Waldrom, Matt Smith and George Skivington.

Youngster Billy Twelvetrees, playing out of position at fly-half instead of centre for the injured Toby Flood and Jeremy Staunton, kicked four conversions in a blustery wind and also caused havoc for Alesana Tuilagi's first by running 40 metres to the posts before being tackled just short of the line.

Cockerill said: "I thought the whole performance was based on a really good set-piece. Our scrum and our line-out was outstanding.

"The scrum was a really good foundation while our ball control was better. There were eight tries in the end. You take a bonus point win and move on.

"We have had a lot of criticism chucked our way and we have just tried to keep our own counsel. Our injury rate is not great but we have a good squad and a good spirit which you saw today."

England hooker George Chuter came off early with a back spasm but Cockerill said it was nothing to worry about.

As for 21-year-old Twelvetrees, Cockerill said: "He is work in progress. Billy has enough pressure on his plate. We have to be very careful with a young player that we bring him into the side and give him the opportunity to play and learn the game and not be under the spotlight so much.

"Today he did some fantastic things but we have to work on goal-kicking and a few things but he knows that."

Back was obviously disappointed but admitted that Leeds caught Leicester on the backlash.

"We were second best today. Leicester were sharper and we are very disappointed," said the former England flanker.

"We didn't take our opportunities when they presented themselves."

Wing Lee Blackett insisted he had scored a try when Leeds were just 12-6 down, but referee Chris White, after consulting with his touch-judge, gave a scrum to Carnegie instead.

Back added: "It wasn't a try because it wasn't given. If we had a video referee, it would have been given but that was not the reason we lost today.

"We made too many errors and missed too many one-on-one tackles and you can't do that in the Premiership."