'A great sign' - what pleased Geoff Parling most about scrappy win

Leicester head coach Geoff Parling believes there is still “loads to improve on” following their 24-19 win over Newcastle at Kingston Park.

The hosts went ahead through Obi Ene, but Leicester regained control and claimed a 17-5 lead at the break as Samiuela Moli and Adam Radwan both crossed and Billy Searle kicked a penalty.

A closely-fought second half saw George McGuigan score for Newcastle before Will Hurd charged over from a close-range tap and go to extend the Tigers’ advantage.

However, the visitors were forced to hang on toward the end as Cam Jordan went over and Parling revealed there were mixed feelings in the changing room post-match.

“There’s loads to improve on,” he said.

“The feeling in the changing room is probably one of disappointment, which is great for me, and one of frustration.

“Jack (Van Poortvliet) and (Joe) Heyes have just spoken about celebrating the win because it’s important and like I said, this is going to be a hard place to come over the season, but also very frustrating knowing there’s a lot more in us.”

The victory was Leicester’s first of the campaign after back-to-back Prem Rugby Cup losses at the start of December followed by a narrow defeat to Saracens in their opening Prem game.

The Tigers have been managing a mounting injury list, but Parling insisted there were “no excuses” ahead of a home clash against Gloucester next Friday.

“It’s felt difficult in terms of some of the bodies, but we have got that disappointment in the changing room after a win, that’s a great sign,” he added.

“We’ve got a group that wants to go and work and is looking forward to getting home again next week playing against Gloucester, who have had a very good start to the season.

“We’ve lacked a bit of that cohesion at times, but no excuses.”

Newcastle head coach Dan McFarland admitted his side “were not accurate enough” in certain areas as they slipped to a second successive Prem loss.

“I’m really disappointed to be honest because it is a game we could’ve won,” he said.

“Really pleased with the way we approached the game. I thought we were full of effort, full of energy and most importantly full of the endeavour that we wanted to put in, in terms of our ambition and the way we wanted to play the game.

“Unfortunately we were not accurate enough in key areas, but that’ll grow.

“We’ve got to keep believing in what we’re trying to do and the way we’re trying to play.

“The way we’re trying to play is not a boring way. It requires us to understand lots about each other and the way that we’re playing.

“That takes a bit of time and today we weren’t where we wanted to be.”c