Leicester Tigers

A young Tigers team overcame the shock of conceding a ninth-minute try and a red card for Boris Stankovich in the second-half to record a hard-fought win in front of 17,569 spectators.

Second rower Andrew scored Tigers' only try, burrowing over from close-range after excellent work by his fellow forwards had disrupted Irish lineout ball.

The Exiles scored two tries of their own through Anthony Watson in the first-half and replacement Tom Homer shortly after Tigers were reduced to 14 men in the second half

But George Ford's conversion and five penalties, plus excellent defence in the closing stages secured four valuable points for the defending LV= Cup champions.

Tigers, without 11 internationals on Test duty, were captained by Brett Deacon on his return from injury. Rob Hawkins made his first start of the season after injury. Micky Young started for the first time on home ground this season and summer signing Dan Bowden returned to the backline against his former club.

George Skivington made his first appearance at Welford Road following his summer move to London Irish. There was also a Welford Road return for Ian Humphreys while former Academy scrum-half Finlay Barnham was named on the bench. Irish named England prop

Richard Thorpe, playing against his former club, was on the receiving end of a big tackle from Leo Halavatau to welcome him into the game. Thorpe conceded the penalty for holding on, and when Tigers infringed again moments later Humphreys kicked Irish into a 3-0 lead.

Irish capitalised on a Tigers mistake to score the game's first try in the ninth minute. Andy Forsyth knocked-on and Topsy Ojo counterattacked down the right flank, drawing last man Mathew Tait before finding Anthony Watson to score, despite a last-ditch tackle from Ford.

Tigers went close to a try moments later when Bowden's lovely pass gave Hawkins the chance to stretch his legs into the Irish 22. However, his final pass for Michael Noone was ruled forward and play was pulled back.

A high tackle on Tait gave Ford a chance to put points on the board but he mishit his kick wide of the posts.

Ford took Tigers back into Irish territory with a jinking run, but his offload was collected by the retreating defenders. However, Tigers stopped Irish clearing and forced them back towards their line where Humphreys' clearance was charged into touch by Smith.

Tigers disrupted the lineout and Ed Slater claimed the loose ball. Noone took up the charge before offloading to Andrew, who burrowed his way over next to the posts for his first Tigers try. Ford added the extras.

Ford kicked Tigers into a 10-8 lead in the 24th minute after Skivington obstructed Slater at a lineout.

Tigers had most of the possession and territory at this stage, and a ruck offence gave Ford a penalty on the left but he pulled his kick wide.

Tigers dominated the second quarter and kept Irish pinned in their half through some strong carrying and good kicking out of hand. Humphreys and Shane Geraghty were forced to kick from deep and when Watson tried to ease the pressure by running the ball out of defence he held on under Andrew's tackle and gave away a penalty in a central position. Ford made no mistake to kick Tigers into a 13-8 half-time lead.

Andy Symons came on for Matt Smith at the start of the second-half while Irish replaced Ojo with Tom Homer.

Young's tap penalty put Tigers on the front foot early in the half. Tigers secured quick ball and appeared to have an overlap on the right, but Geraghty deliberately knocked on Ford's pass. Referee Ian Davies showed the Exiles centre a yellow card and Ford's penalty extended the lead to 16-8.

Noone made 20 metres as Tigers tried to press home their man advantage. Alex Lewington found space down the left but his final pass was intercepted with the line in sight.

Humphreys show and go took Irish out of their half for the first time in the second period with 54 minutes on the clock. However, his pass under pressure from Young went forward to end the attack.

Tigers had the edge at the resulting scrum, forcing Irish back into their own territory. The scrum was reset and excellent work by Fraser Balmain, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Friday, won the penalty. Ford made no mistake from 45m to put Tigers 19-8 ahead with 20 minutes left.

Humphreys was short with a speculative drop goal attempt from halfway. Darren Allinson made an incisive break in midfield and had Matt Garvey in support, but the lock's charge for the line was stopped by Young's try-saving tackle.

Tigers were reduced to 14 men with 16 minutes left when referee Davies ruled that Stankovich's tackle on Allinson was dangerous.

Irish made their man advantage count to score a second try with 10 minutes remaining. They kept play tight, edging their way into the Tigers 22 with a series of pick and goes before Allinson's long pass gave Homer the room to touch down at the left corner. Humphreys' conversion cut Tigers' lead to 19-15. It was the Exiles first points since the ninth minute.

Despite being a man down, Tigers took the attack to their visitors and a scrum penalty on the 22 allowed Ford to extend the lead to 22-15 with three minutes left.

Tigers weathered one last Irish thrust, forcing a knock-on before keeping possession and running down the clock to secure the victory.