Newcastle Falcons head coach Alex Codling paid full credit to Leicester Tigers as the East Midlands outfit roared to a 47-3 home victory on Sunday.

Speaking after the Gallagher Premiership clash, Codling said: “They had virtually a full team of internationals playing today and they do the basics very well.

“With the weather like it was today we just couldn’t get out of our half, and full credit to Leicester Tigers.

“They just gradually turned the screw, and yeah it was a tough watch, but I’m not going to criticise the players.

“Their effort and spirit is always fantastic, and I appreciate people might find it strange me saying that after such a heavy defeat.

“When we lose momentum we find it very difficult to get it back, and even though we started the game well once again it was just being able to maintain that pressure against a very strong side.

“We lost the arm-wrestle and it’s a tough one to take. Nobody hates losing more than me, but we have to move on.”

With the Tigers dominating the power game, Codling said: “Leicester do the basics unbelievably well, they’ve got tons of experience and they’re just smart in the way they use their kicking and pressure game.

“I’m proud of our guys’ spirit because they work their backsides off and I know it’s hard for them at the moment, as it is for all of us.

“Every week they give me everything they’ve got, and I’ll never come out and criticise them.

“When we don’t convert pressure into it obviously makes things difficult, and against a class side like Leicester it’s very hard to get momentum back.

“Even at the end when we’re 40 points down we’re still scrapping for every ball, and as I say, the fight within the group is fantastic. It becomes harder, of course, the longer this run goes on, but we’ll just keep working.”

Hosting French side Montpellier on Sunday in the EPCR Challenge Cup before travelling to South Africa to face the Lions, Codling said: “Maybe this European fortnight has come at a good time for us, and there will be some changes.

“We will be freshening up the squad for these games, but it’s a new competition and we’ll look to give it a good shot.”

Click here to buy tickets for Sunday’s 3.15pm kick-off against Montpellier.

Season ticket and parking pass holders are reminded this game is included in your 2023-24 package.