Tindall: Gloucester centre is tackled

The Aviva Premiership swung back into action this weekend against a backdrop of explosive reports on England's shambolic World Cup campaign being leaked to a national newspaper.

It is only 10 days since Martin Johnson resigned as England manager, with RFU elite rugby director Rob Andrew admitting earlier this week that matters had hit rock-bottom.

Most of England's World Cup squad are now back on Premiership business, with Toby Flood, Tom Croft, Ben Youngs, Louis Deacon and Dan Cole all playing their parts as Leicester edged out Gloucester 19-14 at Kingsholm.

"Our England contingent have been very focused and very keen to play," Tigers rugby director and former England hooker Cockerill said.

"I am sick and tired of reading about it. I want to get on with the rugby and I hope it all gets sorted sooner rather than later.

"I want to be talking about the good things in rugby, of which there are plenty. The game has been dragged through the mud a little bit."

Leicester gave their Premiership campaign much-needed impetus after condemning Gloucester to a third successive home defeat in all competitions.

The Tigers, in an unfamiliar 11th place before kick-off, prevailed through second-half tries from Flood and Samoan wing Alesana Tuilagi.

Flood added three penalties, with his England half-back partner Ben Youngs relieved that a glaring blunder - a reckless pass intercepted by captain Luke Narraway that produced Gloucester's solitary touchdown - did not cost Leicester dear.

Fly-half Freddie Burns booted three penalties during a tight and tense encounter, but Gloucester again finished second best on home soil following losses to Saracens and Harlequins.

Cockerill added: "It is an exceptionally good result for us to come here and win. It could have gone either way, the tiniest things turn games.

"I thought the way the lads kept their composure under pressure was good and we defended very well again. Leicester sides under pressure generally come up with the goods.

"We are slowly taking shape and we've got to keep working at it."

After losing both their opening Heineken Cup pool fixtures, Gloucester know they must quickly get things back on track, starting with a tricky trip to Newcastle in the Premiership next Friday night.

Saturday's result means Gloucester have lost three in a row at home for the first time in six years.

"I thought we were far better today than against Harlequins last week," said Gloucester head coach Bryan Redpath.

"It wasn't going to be a flash game and I don't think there was that much between the sides, but credit to Leicester.

"We probably should have made a bit more of having the wind with us in the first half and I am disappointed that we have lost at home again.

"Newcastle away is a massive game for us. We can't rely on our home form at the moment, so we have to rely on some of our away results."