Leicester 34 Wasps 8: Tigers beat the big freeze before taking over at top

The hosts were forced to battle back after trailing 8-3 shortly before half-time through Mark van Gisbergen's second-minute try.

They went in front at the break, however, as Johne Murphy's 40th-minute try was converted by Toby Flood for a 10-8 lead, and then powered on to complete a fine victory.

Two second-half scores from Lote Tuqiri – the ex-Australia wing's first Tigers tries – and a penalty try, plus a total of 14 points from Flood's boot, secured victory at a frozen Welford Road.

Leicester valiantly overcame Arctic conditions to ensure the game went ahead. Indeed, it was the only rugby union fixture to beat the blizzard conditions across the country. Despite their slow start, Leicester eventually crushed their opponents with a stunning second-half display.

And at the heart of their victory was an outstanding scrum, with Ben Cole in particularly fine form, that caused the serious problems for Wasps as they were driven backwards on every engagement.

It was their power in the scrum that gave Tuqiri his opening score. Having splintered the

set-piece, Leicester moved the ball right and Tuqiri cut through the cover for his first ever Tigers try.

Flood converted and added a penalty three minutes later.

Wasps were smashed in the next scrum and due to persistent offending, conceded a penalty try which Flood converted.

The visitors did have the opportunity to cut the deficit, but after good work from Danny Cipriani, Tim Payne dropped the ball over the line when scoring seemed easier.

Jeremy Staunton then freed Tuqiri for his second try after

63 minutes and the bonus-point clincher that sent Tigers top. Flood converted and the rout was complete.

Rugby director Cockerill praised the performance of Cole before quashing talk of an England call-up for the tight-head prop.

"I am so proud because we've beaten a very fine team after working so hard all week to get the game on," said Cockerill. "On average we do 15-20 scrums a week, but I've played in France and we have some Argentine guys here so our scrummaging experience is good.

"The scrum has been the foundation of our recent victories and young Dan Cole has played his part.

"He is a local lad who wants to play for his local club and I don't want him getting bogged down in talk of England.

"Dan is only 22 and has lots to learn. But he is playing well, and it's up to the England coaches.

"Graham Rowntree is a very good coach and you have to leave that up to them."

Tuqiri was thrilled to break his try-scoring duck, but was quick to acknowledge the work of the forwards.

"Playing behind a pack like ours is sensational, and it was tremendous to get the tries after being here for seven weeks," he said. "This is one great club and I'm already having a good time, even with this weather."

While Wasps rugby director Tony Hanks was happy with Danny Cipriani's contribution, he believes the England international was not culpable for the loss after spurning a kick which could have extended the visitors' lead to eight points prior to the interval.

"I was pleased with Danny Cipriani's performance at fly-half," said Hanks. "He is back to good form, and while it was a bit ambitious not taking that penalty in the first half when we led 8-3, that is not the reason we go home empty handed."

Hanks also admitted his side needed to improve in the scrum.

"We didn't take a couple of penalties when we should, then we lost Tim Payne to the bin and that set us back.

"Scrums are hugely important, and you have to be on your mettle there. We'll go away and work very hard on that area.

"We've got a few injuries and a few guys to come back, but we also need to get working on our scrummage in the coming weeks. You learn and improve by playing, not just working on the scrum machine."

Hanks added: "Simon Shaw suffered a hyper-expansion of the knee so we took him off as a precaution."