Leicester Tigers head coach, Michael Cheika has reacted to Tigers 24-8 victory against Northampton Saints in the East Midlands Derby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. 

Cheika praised Tigers' grit in what was a typically tense affair against the club's closest rivals. 

"I just thought we were gritty," Cheika said. 

"There was a lot to balance there with the emotions of the week and controlling that, and I thought we handled that aspect well.

"Defensively, we aimed up. Physicality, our work rate was good, our scrum went well there I thought so yes, there's a lot of aspects there that we're happy with but most pleasing is to get the win."

Tigers opened the scoring with a piece of trickery from a quick tap, something Cheika said was a showcase of the collaboration between players and coaches. 

"That move, that's probably started one way and then it's changed a bit with the players input but we're encouraging that too. 

"You want the players to take ownership of what's happening on the field and I think you can see the beginnings of that."

Cheika also reflected on his first East Midlands Derby. 

"I enjoyed it, definitely."

"We were able to get the crowd into it more than we did against Bath and you see the difference. 

"The atmosphere can be a real weapon for us this season."