LEICESTER LOOK IN GOOD SHAPE AHEAD OF THEIR CHAMPIONS CUP CHALLENGE

HEAD coach Geoff Parling felt Leicester's 39-15 triumph at Newcastle Red Bulls was testament to the squad depth of the Tigers.

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Parling, back at the club where he launched his stellar career, saw his team run in five tries and concede only two to move up to fourth in the Gallagher PREM.

Argentina back-row forward Joaquin Moro led the way with two tries, with James Thompson, Freddie Steward and Tommy Reffell also touching down.

It was Parling’s fourth victory since taking charge at Mattioli Woods Welford Road this summer from Michael Cheika and his biggest winning margin yet, and was achieved with a squad missing a number of key players in the first weekend back after the autumn internationals.

“Nervous is the wrong word, but this was a fixture I knew I had to approach with care,” said Parling. “We were missing a lot of guys.

“There was a lot of disruption to our squad compared to Newcastle, who came into the game off the back of a win at Northampton Saints (in the PREM Cup) and signing Tom Christie.

“We showed our squad depth. This was an important win.”

Leicester were never behind but having led 17-10 at the interval, they had to survive a few nervy moments early in the second period when the winless Red Bulls belied their basement status with some dangerous attacking play.

“I always felt we could go and take the game but it wasn’t just going to happen, we had to make it happen,” said Parling.