Forwards should provide lots of bullets for exciting backs to fire

IT'S a short season - we know, the subject has been done to death, but the fact that the issue is boring doesn’t alter the reality that going zero and two at the start already leaves a mountain to climb, and both sides at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday face that uncomfortable prospect.

- By IAN COCKERILL

(CAMERASPORT/ GETTY IMAGES)

Leicester's loss to Bristol was disappointing - nobody played badly and yet a Bears side that made far too many mistakes wasn't punished and ran out comfortable winners.

The one consolation for head coach Geoff Parling, left, was that Leicester got their four tries and a bonus point.

Meanwhile, Harlequins are hardly appear to be in a good place.