Anthony Allen says Leicester Tigers will bounce back

Leicester Tigers players and coaching staff are all on the same wavelength as they bid to move on from Saturday's 22-9 home defeat by Harlequins.

That is the view of centre Anthony Allen, who said the whole squad was united in knowing what was needed to bounce back to winning ways when Exeter Chiefs arrive at Welford Road on Saturday,

The champions inflicted Leicester's first league defeat at Welford Road in almost 12 months to stay top of the Aviva Premiership table and force the Tigers down into fourth place after round three.

At the final whistle, the Tigers squad gathered in a large huddle on the pitch and the likes of skipper Jordan Crane, lock Geoff Parling and prop Dan Cole all spoke to the group.

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Allen said those harsh words were echoed when they reached the changing room.

"We had a chat on the pitch and we said exactly what Cockers re-iterated in the changing room," said Allen.

"That was a good thing. He had no idea what we had said out there but we all know where we are.

"It's never a good thing to lose at home when you haven't lost for a long time and we will remember that.

"We were sloppy and they didn't have to work too hard for their points. We gave them too many kickable penalties, something I was guilty of myself.

"Yes, we missed Manu Tuilagi (injured), but people get injured and we can't rely on individuals. We defended well but one little mistake gave them a try.

"It's down to us this week to keep high standards and know that, when we create pressure, we have to convert that into points.

"We have this week to pull it back against Exeter and put right all of the issues we had with Quins."

Allen says one of Tigers' biggest 'to-dos' next week is to adapt more to the way in which Premiership officials referee the game.

Leicester fell foul of Dave Pearson's whistle against Quins and the Londoners' fly-half Nick Evans took full advantage with five kicks out of six attempts.

"We missed some composure and working towards what the referee was allowing," said Allen.

"We have to deal with that. We didn't adapt to it and we didn't control the ball well enough."