No.8 Jordan Crane paid tribute to his colleagues in the Leicester Tigers pack after a convincing 41-17 win over Newport Gwent Dragons in the opening game of the EDF Energy Cup on Saturday.

The England U-21 international, given his chance in the back row with Martin Corry carrying an injury and just back from international squad training, said: "The scrum was immense. The scrums on their line showed just how strong we can be. I think we sensed a few creaks when we had them under pressure in the lead up to the penalty try and that score came just at the right moment shortly before half-time. Fair play to Castro (Martin Castrogiovanni) and the guys in the front row, they were awesome."

Crane made his second start of the season and is clearly enjoying life at Tigers, even if the route into the team is a challenging one.

"If I was at any other club in the country I might be getting worried when I am not in the squad for every game, but when you have got the England captain in front of you in the queue for places, you know you have to keep biding your time and make the most of your chances when they come along," he said.

"But this is a brilliant club and it is a huge boost to players to play in front of big crowds every week here. And it is refreshing to see so many young guys being given a chance in the team at such a big club."