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Triumph of guts pleases Cockerill

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Richard Cockerill says Sunday's win over Bath at Welford Road was based on "effort, heart and guts" as Leicester Tigers recorded a fourth league victory of the season.Despite losing captain Mathew Tait to a hamstring injury in the opening few minutes and going 5-0 behind to an early Anthony Watson try, Tigers dug in and celebrated victory after an interception score from Telusa Veainu and a late try from prop Dan Cole – his first in 78 appearances.   “We were a little under par in how we played, but I’m delighted with the effort, heart and guts to keep ourselves in the game and eventually to find a way to win it,” said director of rugby Cockerill.   “Bath played very well, they took their try very well, but we never gave up. When Ed Slater went to the sin-bin it was a pivotal point of the game. We probably won it there with our defence and mindset. Our guts and attitude got us through.   “The interception try for us was very timely to say the least and our physicality was right up there through the whole game. The willingness to fight for the cause was second to none and you can build on that. You can have as many gameplans as you want but you need to have that determination too.   “We’re happy with the win. If you can find a way to win when it is not going your way it is a good sign.”   Cockerill confirmed that Owen Williams, Freddie Burns and Vereniki Goneva should all be fit to return to training this week in the build-up to the Round 6 trip to Worcester Warriors on Saturday.