Richard Cockerill was delighted with his side's performance after Leicester hammered Aviva Premiership strugglers Leeds 48-6.
Tigers coach praises forwards following impressive display
Richard Cockerill was delighted with his side's performance after Leicester hammered Aviva Premiership strugglers Leeds 48-6.
The Tigers head coach reserved special praise for his forwards after a dominant display that saw the hosts run in four tries before and after the break.
And Cockerill was pleased to silence the critics after a disappointing start to the season that saw them lose two of their first three games.
"I thought the whole performance was based on a really good set-piece," he said. "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."
Cockerill also paid tribute to Billy Twelvetrees, who was thrust into the fly-half position at the last moment following an injury to Jeremy Staunton.
"He is work in progress. Billy has enough pressure on his plate," he added. "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."
Second best
Opposite number Neil Back admitted his side were not at the races on the former Leicester flanker's return to Welford Road.
"We were second best today. Leicester were sharper and we are very disappointed," said Back.
"We didn't take our opportunities when they presented themselves."
Leeds appeared to have crossed through Lee Blackett when they score was 12-6 but saw it ruled out by the referee, and Back was philosophical about the decision.
"It wasn't a try because it wasn't given," he added. "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."