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This one is for the fans, says Cockers

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'This one is for the supporters' said Richard Cockerill after Saturday's Welford Road win over Ulster.

Tigers top Pool 4 in Europe’s Heineken Cup after victories over Aironi away and Ulster at home in the opening two rounds.

A crowd of more than 21,000 – including a sizeable and loud contingent from Northern Ireland – created a superb atmosphere at Welford Road as Tigers won 20-9.

“It was a great European night of rugby,” said Tigers director of rugby Cockerill. “It was not high-scoring but it was an intriguing game in many ways.

“These European occasions are special for this club and the supporters.

“It was a great atmosphere, with a big crowd and a lot of noise. We did the little bits of the game well and that paid off in the end.

“I’m delighted for the supporters. They’ve been behind us for the last two-and-a-half months, as they are always are, and we’ve had some difficult times.

“We have needed that support and they keep turning up, they keep the faith and hopefully the team have repaid a little bit of that tonight.

“It’s an important win, in a good, honest, hard-fought game. Ulster are a good side and they made us work very, very hard, but I thought we controlled it well.

“We’ve had a lot of stick in the last few weeks but that is five games unbeaten for us now and we have to just keep working hard.”

Tigers supporters gave a rousing welcome to replacement Ben Youngs who made his first appearance of the season on his return to fitness after a knee injury.

“We’ve been looking after Ben for the last four weeks,” said Cockerill. “It’s great to get him back on the pitch. It’s good for him and good news for us too.”

Cockerill revealed that second-row Geoff Parling had ‘tweaked’ a knee, but centre Andy Forsyth, who made his European debut in the win over Aironi in Round One, will be joining a number of other midfield players on the sidelines.

Forsyth hobbled off in the first half and Cockerill revealed he has a suspected broken bone in his leg or ankle.

“We might ask not to play in the 12 or 13 shirt, it seems to be jinxed,” said Cockerill who was already without Anthony Allen, Manu Tuilagi and Billy Twelvetrees in his options at centre.