He pointed out that the squad are still finding their feet and team dynamic, after they had hit back from 20-12 down in the Pool B encounter last Sunday.

“I think we’ve got some strengths in that pack,” he said. “This is still a group of players that’s been together less than a year. We need to keep bringing through the young players. We’ve got some good young players who are pushing hard.”

Borthwick admitted Connacht had “really challenged” his unbeaten side at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

“[Connacht are] a really well coached team,” he enthused. “I thought they played a smart game. We made too many errors and they capitalised on those errors. What was really pleasing was we grabbed hold of it and changed it in that second half.”

That was partly thanks to the changes Borthwick made just after the break, replacing his entire front row with experience off the bench in the shape of Julian Montoya and Dan Cole.

“I think it certainly helped [when] you bring [on] that level of experience,” he agreed.

Leicester now have two wins out of two in European competition so far this season following their opening-round success at Union Bordeaux-Bègles – but they will not be taking it easy over the festive break.

“The boys will enjoy this result,” Borthwick added. “You’ve got to enjoy it. They’ll enjoy Christmas Day with their families – but then we’ve got work to do the next day!”

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick praised his younger players after they had helped the Gallagher Premiership leaders to a hard-fought 29-23 Heineken Champions Cup triumph over Connacht Rugby in Round 2.