Richard Cockerill defended his team selection after victory at Newcastle secured the Tigers a home play-off tie.
Falcons boss confident his side can bounce back
Leicester director of rugby Richard Cockerill defended his team selection after victory at Newcastle secured the Tigers a home play-off tie.
Cockerill left out some of his top players, including England half-backs Toby Flood and Ben Youngs - but his team still won 24-13.
He said: "We have put ourselves in position to win a semi-final and make it into the grand final and that's always been a target.
"We'd like to go up against London Irish and in the play-off semi-final with a fully-fit squad and the guys who came in for us today did a really good job.
"Giving Ben and Toby a rest will freshen them up for London Irish and the play-offs."
On the performance, Cockerill continued: "Our discipline was good today in contrast to last week and while we weren't as accurate as we'd like, it was a good win.
"A lot of sides come here and struggle and we have in the past. Four points is what we wanted and after a sticky patch in the second half that's what we got."
Relegation-threatened Newcastle missed out on a losing bonus point which could yet prove crucial.
Target
Head coach Alan Tait said: "We have to keep going and target a win against Bath next week. It's all or nothing now in our final two games against Bath home and away.
"It's disappointing missing out on the losing bonus point but we have to get on with it.
"There are a lot of sore bodies in the changing room, but they have to get themselves back up for Bath - and I'm sure they will."
