Harlequins were forced into two late changes early on Saturday morning after Gonzalo Tiesi had to withdraw from the starting line-up. Tosh Masson stepped up to partner Jordan Turner-Hall in the centres and Sam Smith took the 23 shirt.

Tigers welcomed back British and Irish Lions member, Tom Croft, to the pack, along with Harry Ellis at scrum half.

It was always going to be a tough first game at home for Quins, but they went out strong and took the game to the visitors. The pressure was turned into early points for Quins after Tigers were penalised and Nick Evans kicked his first three points of the game. 3-0

The visitors had a chance to equalise after 16 minutes but Jeremy Staunton’s penalty kick went wide of the posts. Leicester continued to pile on the pressure and a sliced kick from Will Skinner, after the flanker was forced to clear the ball deep inside his own 22, went into the hands of Geordan Murphy. Moments later Tigers were awarded a second penalty and this time Staunton didn’t miss. 3-3.

Quins responded positively with some great work from the backs. Quick hands from Jordan Turner-Hall and Ugo Monye, put David Strettle through the Leicester defence. If it had not been for a last gasp tackle from Tom Croft, the winger would have been certain to score in the right corner. The ball was recycled and moments later Strettle was back in the thick of the action with some fancy football skills, tapping the ball into his hands and stepping through the defence before offloading to Gary Botha. Sadly the hooker could not control the ball and a knock-on was given.

Evans missed a penalty kick just two minutes before the half time whistle and the two sides went in with just 3 points apiece.

The second half saw Quins show glimpses of the exciting rugby that we expect from the London side but it was Staunton who pushed the visitors into the lead with his second successful penalty of the day. 3-6.

George Lowe showed that he was capable of stepping up to the demands of the Guinness premiership with a couple of impressive breaks and footwork which left the Tigers defence behind. With 8 minutes gone in the second half he tested the Tigers defence when he sprinted up the pitch and then stepped his way through, only to be stopped by Johne Murphy 10m from the line.

Tigers were reduced to 14 men when Jordan Crane was given a yellow card by referee Dave Pearson. Quins opted for the close range line out but just could not break the Tigers defence.

Staunton went on to miss a penalty and then with 27 minutes gone on the clock in the second half, Quins had Tigers on the backfoot and were piling on the pressure. A streaking run from Ugo Monye and a beautiful pass to George Lowe, which would have seen the first try of the game had Lowe managed to control it, was sadly knocked on and another chance went begging for Quins.

Nick Evans evened the score (55 mins) with his second successful penalty and then the two fly-halves went on to exchange penalties to level the score at 9-9.

Both teams missed opportunities in the remaining 15 minutes. Tigers looked certain to score after the ball was passed through the backs but the final pass failed to meet the hands of the unmarked Johne Murphy.

Staunton kicked two more successful penalties of the afternoon, which were enough to give them the win. 9-15.