Cockerill praises 'stubborn' Tigers

Leicester coach Richard Cockerill praised his team's "spirit and stubbornness" after they left Perpignan with a potentially crucial bonus point.

Cockerill was left to reflect on Leicester 's first defeat of the Heineken Cup campaign after they went down 24-19 at Stade Aime Giral. At least the kicking of Flood, who made five of six attempts, ensured Leicester returned home from the south of France with a losing bonus point.

That consolation keeps them top of Pool Five, a point ahead of their hosts ahead of next week's return fixture and Cockerill said: "We had the belief to come here and win but we made a few errors that cost us and they are a dangerous side."

He added: "The spirit and stubbornness of the players was excellent, especially in that spell where we were under severe pressure at the end of the first half. You can't coach that. It is one of the positives we will take from the game.

"We had to come away with at least a point. We didn't want to go back home with nothing because this is such a tight group and every point will count for something in the end."

Leicester welcome Perpignan to Welford Road on December 19 but will have to put in some extra work on their set-piece after the French dominated the scrums.

Cockerill, a former hooker, admitted: "We have a very good home record but we will take nothing for granted next week. Perpignan are a dangerous team and a good side and we will need to step it up again."