Geordan Murphy identified a below-par performance in the first half as the cause of defeat by Harlequins in the last game of the Gallagher Premiership season on Sunday.

Tom Youngs scored the game’s first try in the Round 22 clash at Welford Road, but Tigers trailed 17-11 at half-time and, despite adding two more scores through Nemani Nadolo and Matt Scott, ended the campaign with a 32-26 defeat.

“It is hugely disappointing not to get a win and finish on a high,” said director of rugby Murphy at the final whistle.

“We wanted to finish the season on a high and the supporters would’ve loved to see us finish well. But we just didn’t perform well enough.

“In the first half we didn’t get into shape, we were in second gear.

“In parts of the second half we showed some glimpses but it is frustrating – you put a foot in touch, drop the ball with the line beckoning, perhaps have a shout for a penalty try – we left quite a few points out there and we lost by six.

“Quins are strong defensively, but we managed to make a few breaks and did some good things.”

Facing a short break after a campaign which began back in the summer of 2019, Murphy added: “We’ve seen in parts how we want to play but we can be better across the board.”