A first league win of the season is ‘massive’, according to Tigers lock Harry Wells.

The 26-year-old started alongside fellow Tigers Academy graduate Calum Green in the Leicester engine room for Saturday’s Round 3 clash with Gloucester Rugby, and suggested the 16-13 win illustrates the side’s ‘tough’ mindset.

“That game is massive for us, especially on the back of two tough losses,” Wells said, referencing Tigers’ difficult start to the Gallagher Premiership season.

“But I think we’ve started to demonstrate what we’re trying to build.

“We’re trying to develop a tough mindset, and we started to show what we’re about today.”

Wells then had to watch from the sidelines – after being replaced by Tomás Lavanini for the Argentina international’s club debut – as Tigers defended their narrow lead for more than six minutes of extra time.

He continued: “To defend like the boys did for three or four minutes, through countless phases, showed the heart and desire of the guys.

“The forwards have been working incredibly hard over the last couple of weeks, and we’re trying to become a little bit more hard-nosed in that area, and with guys coming in they’re buying into what we’re trying to do.

“Going forward, I think we’re going to show more than that.”

And, asked if it was a ‘relief’ to get the first points of the season, Wells said that the side expect nothing less of themselves.

“You could say that [it’s a relief], but winning is a habit. We need to start building that habit again, and make this place a bit of a fortress.

“Going forward that’s set the tone for us next week, and hopefully we can just keep building on that.”

Tigers take on London Irish at the Madejski Stadium in Round 3 this Sunday, November 10 (2.30pm) before attentions turn to European competition.

Secure your place at Welford Road for seven all-important league games with a Tigers half-season ticket, starting from just £120 for adults and £45 for junior supporters.