Leicester Tigers centre Andy Forsyth says it was ‘unbelievable’ to run out at Welford Road in the win over Gloucester Rugby.

The Tigers Academy graduate made more than 20 appearances in his first stint with the club – including against world champions South Africa – before moving north to Sale and then Yorkshire Carnegie. He returned to Tigers on loan from Championship side Coventry this summer.

After starts in three of the season-opening Cup clashes, Saturday’s match was Forsyth’s first league start in green, white and red for more than eight years.

“It was unbelievable for me,” said the 29-year-old. “I’ve had a few games in the Cup, but to get a Premiership start at Welford Road was just what I’d been working for and it was nice to get out there and be happy with the performance.

“We spoke in the week about it being a tough game. We trained hard all week for that, and Gloucester did not let us down.”

The outside centre also paid tribute to the squad effort in Round 3 – especially in Tigers’ mammoth defensive set on display in the closing minutes of the game.

“We stuck at it,” Forsyth continued. “The last five minutes showed what we are about and what we’ve been working on.

“Everyone knows their role in that situation, you just have to keep making your tackles and not give any penalties away.

“The discipline was outstanding. We could not ask for any more and that was a real positive.

“The pleasing thing is that everyone stepped up this week and played hard, and in this shirt that is all you can ask for.”

With Geordan Murphy’s men now turning their attention to a Round 4 fixture with London Irish, Forsyth also explained how the side will take positives out of their attack, too.

“We made a few chances of our own, and although we didn’t quite manage to finish them off, that is the last 10 per cent polish,” he said.

“We know how to work on that, but it was good to see us making those chances.

“It was about everyone from 1 to 23 – and all the lads in the week – fighting hard for that win.”