The English club followed up their 39-17 home victory over Brive in Round 1 with a 28-20 success at Bayonne and now lie fourth on nine points in the preliminary standings, a solitary point off joint leaders London Irish and Ospreys.

“I’m really pleased with aspects of the performance, but especially with the grit and determination the players showed,” Borthwick told the Leicester website.

“It was a step forward in certain aspects, which is pleasing, but there are also things to work on, things we need to be better at.”

Borthwick was especially delighted by the way Tigers survived three yellow cards, including two together just before half-time.

“When we stuck to the plan, we were able to put a lot of pressure on Bayonne,” he added. “There were periods where we went off that plan, but what was very pleasing when we went men down was the players kept their composure and adapted and played very well. The players managed that period and they deserve enormous credit for that.

“You can see the character of the team - that was very positive: the way the team scrambled back and defended on our goal-line with grit and determination and heart. But we’ll look at how the opposition got into those positions and put pressure on us.”

Leicester Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick lauded his side’s progress as they completed a second successive victory in the European Rugby Challenge Cup last weekend.