Tries from Scott Hamilton (2), Alesana Tuilagi, Dan Hipkiss and Sam Vesty helped Tigers to a 37-31 win, despite playing with 14 men.
Acting head coach Cockerill praised the players’ “spirit, camaraderie and commitment” as they overcame the dismissal of Julian White to land a bonus-point win.
Cockerill said: “Leicester are renowned for their spirit and resilience. I don’t know the recipe for it but the players certainly showed that.
“The players have to take the credit. They played off their wits a lot of the time because we were doing things that we don’t practice because of the scenario we were in.
“I thought the boys were fantastic. Vesty, Flood, Ellis, Dupuy, they were outstanding and the forwards battled and fought.
“We said at half-time it was all about doing your jobs as well as you can and look at the scoreboard at the end to see what the score was because it was that sort of day.
“The credit lies with the players because I think their spirit, their camaraderie and their commitment was second to none.
“The thing that is good about this side, even with people like Mauger and Corry missing as leaders we have guys to step up.
“Ellis, Flood, Vesty, they are all leaders and they talk well and they kept their composure.”
The game was Tigers’ last of the season at Welford Road to allow for the development of the Caterpillar Stand.
Tigers will play the remainder of their home fixtures at the Walkers Stadium, starting with Saturday’s Heineken Cup quarter-final against Bath (kick-off 6pm).
Tickets for Tigers’ most important match of the season are available from the ticket hotline on 08701 28 34 30 or by calling in at Welford Road.
