Geordan Murphy admitted Leicester Tigers are “making it hard for ourselves” following defeat at home to Racing 92 in the Heineken Champions Cup on Sunday.

After starting the European pool stages with defeat away to Ulster and then securing a bonus-point victory over the Scarlets, Tigers took only a point from the trip to Paris last Sunday and were then beaten 34-11 on the return to Welford Road against Racing to stay in third place in Pool 4.

Murphy, the Tigers interim head coach, said: “We just don’t help ourselves. We started the game well but then gave a world-class side three tries in the first 20 minutes from individual errors. It is very frustrating.

“After we’d got the first points on the board, we gave them a foothold in our territory, made a couple of mistakes and they score. From the kick-off we make a couple of errors and missed tackles, and they score again and you’re 14-3 down.

“You’re thinking we have to throw the next punch but then they score again.

“We talked about defending better and we conceded three tries from individual mistakes. We made it look far too easy for the first 20 minutes.”

Murphy said he cannot fault the effort and endeavour of the players, but knows performances and results must improve with vital Gallagher Premiership points at stake over the next three weekends.

“I don’t see anyone not trying or not caring, but we are not getting it right at the moment,” he said.

“We have to solve those issues. The players are working hard but we’re making silly errors. We talked about building on last week but I thought it was a step back again today.”

Tigers are back on home turf next Saturday when Harlequins are the visitors in Round 10 of the Gallagher Premiership season. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.