A competitive first-half in the east Midlands saw the Tigers strike first blood through an early try from flanker Hanro Liebenberg.
Scarlets back-rower Jarrod Taylor levelled the scores for Peel’s side finishing from a well-worked set-piece effort from close range after neat work from Eddie James in the build-up.
Abrasive flanker Liebenberg though restored Leicester’s advantage into the break claiming his second by powering over from five metres out as the home side’s physical dominance started to show.
It proved to be the platform for the Gallagher Premiership side to kick on into the second-half as Michael Cheika’s side showed their superiority with hooker Charlie Clare, replacement Josh Bassett and Will Wand all going over to completed a comprehensive win.
Post-match despite the heavy defeat, Peel insisted his players would be better off for the learnings from the run-out.
“It was a very physical game,” said Peel.
At half-time we were 12-7 down and yes, we had been under pressure, but I felt we were managing it.
“Obviously, we made changes in the second half and it will be a good learning for some young boys, especially those boys in the front five, boys like Sam O’Connor, Gabe Hawley, Will Evans. It showed the physicality and collisions required at this level.”
“In terms of execution we didn’t allow ourselves to get into the game in attack because we didn’t execute at certain times through set-piece and also through lack of control at the breakdown.
“They were physical at the breakdown, slowing up a lot of our ball, but that is what pre-season is for, to understand that. We have players coming back into the fold next week [against Saracens], international players, and we need to make improvements.
“It is a big learning for two weeks’ time, when we kick-off the URC against Benetton. Yes, there is a lot to work on, but it’s a game under our belt and we will be better for it.”
[Lead image: Scarlets Rugby]
