Leicester opened up a six-point lead at the top of the English Premiership with a 15-9 victory at Leeds Carnegie on Sunday.

The Tigers, without five England internationals, took control through Manu Tuilagi's converted try and Jeremy Staunton's penalty.

Bottom of the table Leeds hit back despite losing fly-half Ceiron Thomas to injury and Adrian Jarvis kicked two penalties to make it 10-6 at the break.

A third Jarvis penalty reduced the deficit to a point but Alesana Tuilagi touched down to give Leicester a seventh successive Premiership win, opening up a commanding lead over second-placed Saracens.

Leeds picked up a crucial losing bonus point to close the gap between themselves and second-bottom Newcastle to three points.

In Sunday's other match, Gloucester rose to fourth in the table with a hard-fought 10-9 win over Wasps at Adams Park.

Gloucester opened up 10-0 at the break thanks to wing James Simpson-Daniel's converted try and a penalty from fly-half Nicky Robinson.

But Wasps improved after the break and three penalties from stand-off Dave Walder set up a tense finish.

Gloucester held for the win in a match which saw both Simpson-Daniel and Wasps winger Tom Varndell carried off injured.

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