Steve Borthwick praised his young side following their come-from-behind victory over Ospreys on Sunday evening.

Speaking after the Heineken Champions Cup pool stages opener in Swansea, the Leicester Tigers Head Coach pointed towards the “effort and fight” from his team to overturn a half-time deficit.

“Incredibly proud of the effort and the fight tonight from a group who played their hearts out,” he said.

“Whatever the result was this evening, had that final play gone the way of Ospreys, I would have been just as proud as I am now.

“The fight this young group showed was brilliant, just brilliant, against what was a very good Ospreys side with a wealth of international experience.”

The Tigers boss said he was most pleased by the way his side “found a way” against an Ospreys outfit who boasted more than 650 Test caps across their matchday squad.

“They are a quality opposition and you can see from our boys in the changing room, that was a tough game tonight,” said Borthwick.

“We found a way, the players found a way and to do that up against a team who had the experience they did on the pitch was immense.

“To adapt to the game in the way they did, continue to fight and work together for the result is very pleasing.”

Tigers now turn their attention to Clermont, in Round 2, but Borthwick admitted - while he and the coaches will shift focus immediately - he was keen for his playing squad to enjoy the result together.

“I hope the supporters are proud of the team tonight,” he said.

“We go out every weekend with the same intention of being a better side than we were last week.”

“The players should enjoy this together tonight and then, as with every week, we shift focus immediately to preparing for the next game against Clermont at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”

Leicester Tigers host Clermont Auvergne on Saturday, December 17 in Round 2 of the 2022/23 Heineken Champions Cup.