Leicester Tigers have defeated Newcastle Falcons 42-10 at Kingston Park in round three of the Gallagher Premiership.

Tigers take a bonus-point win into next Saturday’s East Midlands Derby against Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Tigers opened the scoring in the fourth minute after Jamie Shillcock slotted a penalty. Newcastle would respond with a penalty of their own soon after.

Then, Tigers began to take control. Leicester worked close to the ruck, the forwards earning a penalty. Centre Izaia Perese got in behind the Falcons, the pack sucked in defenders and Shillcock sent a lovely ball to Ollie Hassell-Collins who dived over for the try.

Shillcock added the extras to make it 10-3.

Anthony Watson was next to score, the winger showing his class to fend off the covering defender and dot the ball down in the corner.

Tigers added a third before the breakthrough Emeka Ilione, who was a late addition to the starting team. It was Ilione’s first Gallagher Premiership try. Shillcock couldn’t find the range and it was 20-3 at half-time.

A supporter requiring medical attention delayed the restart, but Leicester began the half as they had ended the previous.

Playing with speed, Tigers punched holes in Falcons’ defence and with a beautiful offload from Joseph Woodward, fullback Freddie Steward was able to touch down for Tigers’ bonus-point.

Momentum changed when Tigers lost Watson and Hanro Liebenberg to the sin-bin, and Falcons got their first try through Chick. Newcastle converted and it was now 25-10.

Falcons then lost a player to a yellow card themselves, and Tigers took full advantage of the parity when George Martin muscled his way over the chalk.

Shillcock nailed the extras, the score now 32-10.

The newest Tiger, Will Wand got in on the scoring next, the lifelong Leicester fan getting a try on debut.

Tigers continued to press, Liebenberg crawling over to bring Tigers’ tally over 40 points.

It would remain 42-10 at the final whistle.