Their opponents, Leicester Tigers, fielded a strong squad in former Australia and Argentina Head Coach Michael Cheika’s first game since taking the reins in June.

After a bright opening for Nottingham, Leicester were soon putting pressure on the Nottingham goal line. Despite the ball popping out the back of a ruck under the posts they spun the ball wide to Josh Bassett to score the first try after five minutes. Tom Whiteley added the extras to make it 7-0.

Nottingham were doing well to deal with the speed with which Leicester were coming off the line in defence. On 22 minutes David Williams sparked an attack with a little chip over the top in midfield that he gathered himself. After good work wide on the left by Jack Stapley and James Cherry the ball was worked back to Williams in the 22 and he outpaced the Leicester defence to score in the right hand corner. Matt Arden’s conversion went narrowly wide of the left upright leaving the score at 7-5.

The momentum gained from that score was soon eroded, however, as Leicester won a penalty from the restart that they kicked to the corner. Charlie Clare drove over from the following lineout. Ben Volavola’s kick made it 14-5.

Leicester were back on the Nottingham goal line on the half hour mark. This time it was Olly Cracknell who crossed for the score but Volavola was unable to add the extras.

On 35 minutes, following another penalty kicked to the corner, it initially looked like Leicester’s Sam Williams had been stopped short of the line but with an outstretched arm he was able to get the five points. Volavola was on target this time to make it 26-5.

As the half was drawing to a close Nottingham had their longest spell of pressure in the Leicester 22, capped off with a pass wide to Williams that saw him score once again in the right hand corner. Arden’s attempt at the conversion was a little wider of the mark this time meaning Leicester led by a score of 26-10 at the break.

Following a number of changes for both teams the start of the second half was quite scrappy. It took until midway through the half before there was a serious incursion into either 22, and it was Nottingham who were on the offensive. Despite several attempts at the line they were ultimately held up and the Tigers were able to clear.

On 68 minutes, following some dominant Leicester hits in midfield, Ollie Hassell-Collins was able to break free on the left and ran in from the Nottingham 10 metre line. Volavola converted for his last act of the evening to make it 33-10 to Leicester.

With Nottingham down to 14 after Jack Shine received a yellow card, Leicester were able to make their man advantage count in the 75th minute as Charlie Myall crossed in the corner. The conversion was missed, making the score 38-10.

Nottingham ended the second half very much like the first – camped in the Leicester 22. With the away side now back to 15 it was the Tigers’ turn to lose a man following persistent offsides five metres out. The Archers made the benefit count as Jack Dickinson piled over in the last play of the game. Gwyn Parks added the extras to take the final score to Leicester Tigers 38-17 Nottingham Rugby.