Flanker Guy Thompson says Leicester Tigers have to set the tone of games at Welford Road if they are to prosper.

Tigers conceded two tries in the opening five minutes against Worcester Warriors on Sunday which, from the visitors' perspective, set the foundations for their 44-37 win.

"I think we were just off the pace a little bit for the first 20 minutes," said Thompson, scorer of Tigers' first try last Sunday.

"No matter who you are playing in this league you can't give someone 20 points. I think it took us a while to switch on and for that we apologise to the crowd but we have to take credit for that second half.

"To go in 21 points down and concede straight after half-time and still get into a position to win the game we have to take positives from that.

"It was great when the crowd really got behind us but we aren't happy and we have to learn very quickly because we have a huge game against Sale next week."

Jonny May sparks Tigers fightback with a try against Worcester. Picture - Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Jonny May sparks Tigers' fightback with a try against Worcester. Picture - Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Tigers will be looking to launch that match much more in the manner of their performance against Newcastle Falcons, where they shot out of the blocks, than their sluggish opening against Worcester.

"We have got to turn this place into a fortress and we have to take people's belief away very quickly when they visit Welford Road," Thompson said.

"But that relies on a huge start from us. We did that when we played Newcastle here and we took that belief away from them and made them fight and we got a good result.

"Against Worcester we didn't do that and we have to learn that the first 20 minutes at Welford Road has to be physical and fast."

That doesn't just mean free-flowing rugby when Tigers are in possession, Thompson says that Leicester also have to pressurise their opponents' attacking players.

"We have to work a damn sight harder to make sure we are a harder team to break down," he said. "If we want to move forward and we want to be top four and challenging for the title our defence has to be better and we know that.

"Mentality is huge in this game but it shouldn't make a difference because we should always be up for it we should always be switched on and ready to go. When the crowd got behind us we really started to put Worcester to the sword a little bit but it just took us too long to switch on and that's not good enough."