Tigers scored five tries in front of 19,757 spectators at Welford Road on Saturday to secure a 34-8 win and keep alive their hopes of retaining the Anglo-Welsh cup.
And Cornwell said young players such as Tom Price and Harry Wells, who made their Tigers debuts in the game, rose to the challenge.
“Fraser Balmain, Michael Noone and Tom Price stepped up,” said Cornwell. “Harry Wells, who is a young guy, was put into a lineout after we lost Crofty and Price and he and Brett Deacon put a lot of pressure on to win the ball at lineout time.
“It’s great for the young guys to get the exposure, especially in front of a packed house. There are not many places those guys can get exposed at that level in front of that many people.
“There’s pressure because there is so many people watching them and expecting a result.
“Fair play to the young guys who stepped up and it’s a great stepping stone for them to go onwards and upwards in the squad.
“It was a good performance and we have put ourselves in a good position with nine points now in the pool.
“We go away to Scarlets and we will go for it there. We reload on Monday and carry on."
The game was Cornwell’s first at Welford Road since he returned to his home-town club last summer.
“It’s been a long time waiting for a run out at Welford Road,” he said. “It’s been four or five seasons since I was last here. It was just a great moment for me to run out at home. It’s what I’ve wanted to do since I first left.
“It was awesome to play in front of 20,000 fans going absolutely crazy.”
