Leinster represent all what Tigers should strive for

IT was always the case that in order to beat the Irish aristocracy of Leinster, Tigers would need to have everything going for them.

The bounce of the ball, refereeing interpretations and everyone wearing scarlet, green and white to be at their absolute best.

Arguably, none of those things happened and hence the 14 – 23 loss at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

In all honesty, the intensity brought by Leinster in the first half was several steps above anything that the Tigers have experienced this season, domestically or in Europe.

Whenever Leinster threatened, they scored, even given what was actually a decent defensive display from the home team - most other teams wouldn’t have held out for as many phases.

The difference was that normally such committed defence would lead to a mistake by the attacking side and an escape, but Leinster just keep coming.

Add in some genuinely inexplicable refereeing decisions (Leinster’s experience certainly led to them handling the officials better) and the 20-point shut-out at half time could well have gotten very ugly indeed in the second half.

To the Tigers’ credit, half-time was a genuine reset and they “won” the second period.

There was no suggestion that the Irishmen took their foot off the gas, it was simply that Leicester managed to exert pressure of their own and actually, as Leinster head coach Leo Cullen admitted afterwards, had the visitors worried.

The reality is, of course, that it’s hard to see anyone coming back from 20 points down against Leinster.

It’s difficult to pick out individuals, particularly when some didn’t perform as they would have wished under the magnificent Leinster pressure.

Tommy Reffell provided a number of score-saving turnovers but was withdrawn in the second half when Borthwick decided, probably correctly, that more power was needed.

Freddie Steward was his normal imperious self both in the air, in defence and in attack. while Jasper Wiese gave his absolute all, but can rarely have encountered such effective resistance to his normal wrecking ball runs.

However, his comments in the week regarding his love for the club will have been noted and appreciated by all Tigers fans.

In the final analysis Leinster scored points when they were on top, and Leicester didn’t score enough in the same position.

The game will have served as notice that, good as they have been, they will have to be better.

Whilst the season, whatever happens now, must be marked as a success because of where they have come from, to fail to actually finish the Premiership season without a trophy to show for their efforts would be genuinely heartbreaking.

Leinster, and Leicester’s second half, must now be seen as a yardstick for the rest of the season.