Leicester Tigers senior coach Tom Hudson has reacted to yesterday's defeat to Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate.

Despite a tough loss against play-off bound Bears, a try bonus point was amongst several positives observed by Hudson.

"We've had a mission a few times this year of going away and securing a bonus point and most of the time that comes through scoring four tries. I was pleased not only with achieving this but the way in which we did it, identifying our strength at the line-out and sticking to it. We feel there has been times in the past we've just missed out on a bonus by trying too much variety, too many errors. Here we stuck to the basics and secured it with three out of four from a driving maul.

"Equally, we've tweaked our defensive system recently and although it didn't always pay off, we could see the girls putting into practice what we've been looking at in training, especially for that first half hour where we held out brilliantly. 

"Sunday was a real team effort. We always stress that every minute you play for this club is an honour and I believe every member of that squad did themselves proud today."

Asked about how they would take this forward into next Saturday's final home match against Sale Sharks, Hudson was forthcoming: "The negatives are this: we've taken a few bumps and scrapes and we have a six day turnaround, which is never easy logistically, in terms of analysis, training and especially when Saturday's opponents (Sale Sharks) have had a week off this week.

"We have to turn this into a positive mindset and so we're focusing on momentum. Focusing on our strengths from this match, how we can take those positives forward.

"We will also have the added boost of the returning Canadian and USA players who return with exceptional momentum following their wins at the weekend (Canada over New Zealand, the USA over Australia). So we hope that every aspect of our play this Saturday will be with momentum and the positivity around the camp".

Pressed further about the specific aims for this match, Hudson added: "The aim is to get our first home win of the season.

"Without a shadow of a doubt that would be the perfect finish to a turbulent learning curve of a season and would allow us to confirm our current league standing.

"More than anything, our supporters deserve it; for sticking with us throughout our first season at this level, for coming down to Mattioli Woods Welford Road each weekend, for following us on the road and cheering us on, we want to do it for them.

"We then go into pre-season and 2024/25 with the knowledge we can get it done at home."