Champions Cup: Steve Borthwick delighted with Leicester’s work-rate in win over Clermont

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick praised his side’s guts and determination after they clinched their first away win against Clermont Auvergne for 17 years.

The Premiership pacesetters are in a commanding position as they will take a 19-point lead into Saturday’s Champions Cup round-of-16 second leg at Welford Road after notching a 29-10 win at the Stade Marcel-Michelin despite a late Guy Porter red card.

And Borthwick attributes the result to his team’s character and togetherness.

“I thought for the main part of this game we were tactically really smart against a big team,” he said.

“I think the way we adapted to the red card and playing with 14 men for 20 minutes was great. I think ultimately the biggest thing is how hard they worked for each other.

“When you look at how Jack van Poortvliet sprinted back to chase an almost lost cause to make that tackle on their player who was straight through early in the second half. (It) was excellent.

“Tommy Reffell was also with him, and the rest of the side were there soon after. I think that showed the spirit in the team, and the heart of this team.”

Ellis Genge, Julian Montoya, Jack van Poortvliet, Hosea Saumaki and Harry Potter scored the Tigers‘ tries while George Ford added a couple of conversions.

For Clermont, Cheikh Tiberghien crossed the whitewash, and Morgan Parra added a penalty and a conversion.

Leicester were reduced to 14 men on the hour-mark when Porter was shown a red card for making contact with the head of Clermont back-row Fritz Lee.

Borthwick downplayed the incident, saying Porter had no intention to harm Lee.

“I didn’t look at it closely because I was more interested in what we needed to do, and what changes I needed to make,” he said.

“I’ll have a