Tigers sent a squad including 12 players aged 20 or younger to Bridgend and, despite defeat, director of rugby Richard Cockerill is certain they will benefit from the opportunity.
"In the middle part of the first half we conceded too many points in quick succession and that killed us,” said Cockerill.
“We have to accept the defeat and get on with it, but the boys tried hard, they put a lot of effort into the game. We are not downhearted, the guys will learn a huge amount from this.
“You have to take a measured view and we will get a lot out of the game, seeing those guys come in and benefit from being in this environment.”
Props Ryan Bower, Camilo Parilli-Ocampo and Fraser Balmain made their Tigers debuts, and there was a first start of the season for Alex Lewington, Andy Forsyth, Will Hurrell, Dan Hemingway and Tom Armes, plus wing Lee Robinson. Academy prospects Stephen Macauley and Rory Lynn also gained a senior debut.
“There were some really young boys out there, some of them getting their first experience of a game like this,” said Cockerill. “This is a tough situation for them, a tough away game, coming to Wales and playing in a competitive environment. But it is all part of the learning curve.
“The spirit to work was great. Those young front-rowers did manfully, Tom Armes showed up very well, the back row did well, George Ford did well in difficult conditions and the commitment was fantastic.
“We were a bit naive at times, but that will happen with so many young players in there together. But you have to take a measured view and take a look at the players who couldn’t play and look at how much those that did can take out of it.
“We have an exceptional Academy and we do develop good, young English players. They will come through and do well for us, as they always have.
“We don’t want to lose any game, but the bigger picture for us is for the young players to learn and for the club to develop those young guys and for them to get their opportunity. You have to have some nights like this to bring those guys through.”
