Andrew fumes at -cynical tactics' as Falcons are beaten

The former England fly-half was left fuming after his team were defeated 25-22 by the defending champions at Kingston Park.

Though the Tigers scored four tries to Newcastle's one, Andrew claimed the home side were undone by Leicester's 'cynical tactics' which he believes will probably see the Midlands club record their third title triumph on the trot next spring.

''I didn't realise we had abandoned the sin-bin,'' blasted Andrew.

''They kill the ball time and time again and are quite happy to give penalties away because the referees are scared to sin-bin people like Martin Johnson and Neil Back.

''It is just cynical and I don't understand why the referees are not brave enough to do something about it.

''After two offences, the next man to infringe should be sent to the sin-bin, after another 12 you wonder what is going on.

''If people want Leicester to kill the game that is fine. They are streetwise and if they get away with it, it is clever.

''Martin Johnson spends more time talking to the referee than he does his own players.

''But in terms of professional rugby, if we all played like that we might as well give up and go home.''

Leicester trailed 13-0 inside the first quarter after lock Stuart Grimes touched down, fly-half Jonny Wilkinson added the conversion to two earlier penalties to leave the Tigers rocking.

But, inspired by fly-half Austin Healey, the visitors came roaring back.

First Healey found winger Geordan Murphy on the opposite flank with a cross field kick direct from a tap penalty close to the Newcastle line.

Then the impish utility back provided the pass from which Leon Lloyd grabbed try number two.

Although Healey played little part in the forward roll which saw hooker Dorian West plunge over to put Leicester in front for the first time, it was his break which opened up the Newcastle defence and allowed Winston Stanley to cruise in at the corner for the fourth try, earning the Tigers a welcome bonus point