Deacon: Discipline gave us problems

LEICESTER'S assistant coach Brett Deacon praised fit-again Mike Fitzgerald after the back row returned from a knee injury which had sidelined him since the opening weekend of the season.

“It is really good to see Mike back”, Deacon said following Fitzgerald's appearance as a substitute at half-time.

He added: “He stood out for me as a good lesson for everyone who has a longterm injury. The work he did to get back fit was second to none.”

Deacon, who has fronted Leicester's campaign in the Premiership Cup, was far happier than after the defeat to Worcester last Saturday.

He said: “Our team defence was outstanding, our speed to get set and get off the line and make individual tackles was right where it needs to be.

“Not so pleasing is our discipline. We gave away too many penalties from set-piece.”

Leicester struggled in the final quarter after they replaced their front row including captain Tom Youngs, who has overcome a bout of shingles in the last month.

CLOSE-UP

GUY THOMPSON

Leicester No.8

V

JOSH BEAUMONT

Sale No.8

Thompson might be 6ft 1in but he had to give a good half foot to the gangly Beaumont. Thompson was one of Leicester's main men – contributing that first-half try and providing 100 per cent effort from an unfamiliar position. Beaumont struggled to command the Sale line-out and had a far quieter evening compared to the bustling Thompson.