Leicester Tigers brushed aside the loss of seven players to England's World Cup squad with a comprehensive opening Zurich Premiership win at Welford Road.

With five players making their debuts after a summer of rebuilding it was still the same old Leicester who controlled the game for long periods and remained solid in defence until an injury time try by former Tiger Michael Horak flattered the Exiles.

It was nip and tuck for the opening quarter as Tim Stimpson and Exiles fly half Mark Mapletoft exchanged penalties with both sides infringing in the tackle area.

Neither side was afraid to run the ball from all areas of the pitch with home fly half Sam Vesty twice throwing long mis-passes from inside his own 22.

Throughout the half Stimpson and Mapletoft continued their kicking duel and the teams were locked at 9-9 after 34 minutes.

Tigers then had their best chance with a five metre scrum but their inexperienced front five failed to hold things steady and debutant number eight Dan Lyle was robbed at the base.

Two quick passes and Irish launched a 70-metre counter-attack only thwarted by a superb last-ditch tackle from winger Ollie Smith.

A Stimpson penalty gave Tigers the lead after 50 minutes and then it was the energetic Smith, desperate to prove Clive Woodward's selection wrong, who sprinted for the right hand corner from 20 metres after some slick handling from his three quarters. Stimpson converted and then added a penalty for a 22-9 lead.

The introduction of Austin Healey at scrum half increased the pace of the game still further but it was another substitute, Henry Tuilagi, who sealed the victory with an immense surge for the line to score with his first touch.

There was some consolation for the Exiles as Mapletoft stroked his fourth penalty and was then on hand to convert Horak's try in the 88th minute.

Teams:

Leicester: Stimpson, Smith, Lloyd, Gibson, Holtby, Vesty, Ellis, Rowntree, Chuter, Nebbett, L. Deacon, B. Deacon, W. Johnson, Kronfeld, Lyle. Not Used: Friswell, Morris, Hamilton, Booth, Healey, W. Skinner, H. Tuilagi.

Sin Bin: L. Deacon (56).

Tries: Smith, H. Tuilagi.

Cons: Stimpson 2.

Pens: Stimpson 5.

London Irish: Horak, Sackey, Appleford, Mordt, Bishop, Mapletoft, Edwards, Hatley, Drotske, Hardwick, Strudwick, Casey, Gustard, Dawson, Sheasby.

Not Used: Wheatley, Durant, Flavin, Roche, Murphy, Barrett, Everitt.

Sin Bin: Hardwick (56).

Att: 16,029

Ref: Tony Spreadbury (RFU).