Leicester Tigers have defeated Coventry 68-26 at Butts Park Arena in round six of the Premiership Cup. 

A dominant display from Tigers, results in other fixtures will now dictate whether the team advances to the quarter final stage. 

Tigers bagged an early score through Finn Theobald-Thomas, the hooker staying connected to a Tigers maul which almost sprinted over the line. Jamie Shillcock converted from the touchline.

Neither side could quite get a grip of the contest in the early going, but it was Tigers who would score next, Coventry old boy Will Wand finishing off a slick Leicester move. Dan Kelly broke through the defence, offloaded to Tom Whiteley who found Emeka Ilione on the right edge, and the flanker showed good skill to put Wand over in the corner.

Shillcock’s conversion was on the money and Tigers had the early lead, 14-0.

Coventry got one back in the 16th minute, but Tigers ramped up their defensive pressure and hit Coventry with a one-two punch in the next 20, both tries coming through wing Josh Bassett.

The first came through a break from Solomone Kata, but Bassett’s finish was superb, his swerve and acceleration lighting up BPA. His second was just pure speed.

Harry Wells was first to react to a loose ball from a Coventry ruck, deep in Tigers territory. Wells wasn’t going the length, probably, but his offload to Finn Carnduff was times to perfection and the captain popped to Bassett who would not be caught.

Shillcock converted the pair to make it 28-7 at the break.

Tigers came out with even more energy in the second half, turning up the heat with their kicking game and intensity.

Ilione would be first to score, backing up an excellent chase from Bassett from Shillcock’s high ball.

Coventry nipped a second through an intercept, but Tigers kept coming, another dink in behind this time gathered by Kelly. The centre looked to have gifted Wand a double, but his decision to pass to Shillcock was the correct one and the fullback scored in the corner.

His conversion was again, perfectly placed.

A brilliant performance from Bassett was capped with an assist for Tigers seventh try, his grubber sitting up perfectly for Whiteley to score untouched.

Shillcock stayed perfect from the tee, seven-from-seven conversions.

The home side did find a third try with 20 to play, with Tigers bringing on some up and coming academy talent, but it was one of Tigers’ brightest youngsters, Carnduff who got the try. The captain simply wouldn’t be stopped close to the line and Shillcock converted to make it 56-21.

Coventry added a fourth try, but it was Tigers day, and Kyle Hatherell grabbed one final score to seal the 68-26 win.