Luke Hamilton wore the scars of battle after the Anglo-Welsh Cup win against Cardiff Blues.

“It’s just a few stitches,” joked Hamilton, as he sported a bandage to his head after the 24-12 win at Welford after a clash of heads with Blues forward Macauley Cook.

“I think against Ospreys last time I had fourteen, so a couple against Cardiff this time isn’t too bad. I don’t know if they’re trying to say something, it’s all a bit of fun."

“It was important to get a win. I think we’re a bit disappointed we didn’t get a bonus point in the end but a win for the group moving forward is the main thing for us.

“We’re still in the hunt. Obviously we go to Wasps now and with a win we could be through.”

Hamilton, a try-scorer against the Blues, said he was impressed with the contribution of the young Tigers to the cause. The Tigers matchday squad included 12 players who had come through the club’s Academy, while Jake Kerr and Facundo Gigena both made their debuts.

“I think the young guys coming through today definitely put their hand up,” Hamilton said. “The young guys coming off the bench I thought were really good.”

Hamilton is now away on international with Scotland as they prepare for their Six Nations opener with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

And he joked that if he gets an opportunity during the championship, he hopes it lasts longer than his debut against the All Blacks in the autumn which ended with him being taken off the pitch on a medical buggy.

“The Six Nations is obviously a massive opportunity,” he said. If I do get that opportunity again, I will try to take it with both hands. Fingers crossed I don’t go off in a cart!”