The Leicester Tigers women’s team gained experience of facing top-flight opposition in their opening pre-season fixture away to Bristol Bears on Saturday morning.

Tigers, who are warming up for a debut in Championship North 1, took 24 players to face a Bristol squad which featured Premiership and international experience.

Head of women’s rugby Vicky Macqueen said she was proud of the squad despite a 47-7 defeat and is looking forward to continuing the pre-season preparation.

After a slow start, the Tigers got through some strong defensive work in the second half at Bristol and also enjoyed a decent spell in attack against more experienced opposition who finished last season in third place in the Allianz Premier 15s with 11 wins in 18 rounds.

Tigers are back in action on Saturday, September 3 in a pre-season fixture against London Irish.