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Useful exercise in the build-up says Cockerill

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Richard Cockerill says a clean bill of health and a first run-out for many of his senior internationals were the two biggest plus-points from Saturday's game against Ulster.

Vereneki Goneva and Thomas Waldrom claimed the tries in a 14-14 draw at Ravenhill with the new season just two weeks away.

Director of rugby Cockerill said: “It was a good run-out for those Test boys, especially after a hard week’s training. It was important to get 50 or 60 minutes out of them.

“It is exactly what we really wanted and there were no new injury worries from the game, which is important too.”

The England contingent sat out last week’s game in Jersey after just returning from a national squad camp, but Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom, Toby Flood, Anthony Allen and Manu Tuilagi all started in Belfast, together with skipper Geordan Murphy and Tonga international Steve Mafi.

“We’ve got a few weary bodies going into the game because they’re still in their conditioning and fitness work, but that is what you expect in the pre-season and it was a good exercise,” said Cockerill.

“The boys will all be better for that when we get home and back into work.”

Second-rower Parling said: “It is good to see where we are fitness-wise. It was a first run-out for a lot of guys. We have been working hard in training but it was good to come through that first game.

“It is a pre-season fixture but it is still frustrating not to win it. Now we’re looking to get back to Welford Road next weekend and get another game in and make sure we’re ready for the first game of the season.”

Tigers host Nottingham in the final pre-season fixture this Saturday. Kick-off at Welford Road is at 3.00pm and tickets are available now. Entry is included in all season tickets.