Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill paid tribute to his second-string side as they ground out a 15-9 victory at Leeds.
Tigers boss praises squad members on difficult day in Leeds
Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill paid tribute to his second-string side as they ground out a 15-9 victory at Leeds.
Brothers Manu and Alesana Tuilagi scored tries either side of half-time to keep Tigers top of the Aviva Premiership and their opponents rooted to the bottom.
But it was hard work for the visitors, who had to cope with difficult conditions and the loss of seven international players, plus another seven through injury.
"With the guys missing - we had about 14 overall - it's a day to get the win and with the results yesterday it was really important," said Cockerill.
Rain
"Just because it was Leeds, those points are just as important.
"Not many other teams would have come here and been able to cope with that many absentees."
The game was played in driving rain that levelled the playing field for the division's bottom club and Cockerill admitted it was the worst scenario possible.
"We looked at the weather, we hoped it wouldn't be raining, but unfortunately it was," he said. "We made a really good start and got good early points, but sometimes our attempts to play worked against us.
"We tried to play but with the weather conditions and the pitch deteriorating, it was hard.
"Leeds stuck to their task and really took it to us and with five minutes to go they were camped on our line.
"If they keep playing like that they'll cause teams problems. Sides will come here and struggle if they play like that."
Neil Back, the former Tigers stalwart now head coach at Leeds, said: "We are bitterly disappointed, we started the first half poorly and gave them too much respect.
Tackle
"We can't do that against the top sides and that was the main topic of conversation at half-time.
"We performed much better in the second half and it was an outstanding tackle to stop Luther Burrell scoring late on, but with a scrum deep in their territory we should be coming away with points."
Leeds have two games against Newcastle which will go a long way to deciding their fate but Back is not looking too far ahead.
He said: "We are now focusing on Saracens next week, 10 Premiership games, 50 points to be grabbed.
"That's enough to continue our status in the Premiership and if we keep playing like that we'll get enough points to stay in the Premiership."
