Leicester kept themselves in the play-off hunt with a bonus-point win over a weakened Bristol side.

The Tigers ran in three tries inside the opening half-hour against a side resting several key players.

They took the lead when Dan Hipkiss broke clear and Alesana Tuilagi sent Aaron Mauger over on the left.

Ben Herring was then driven over, Andy Goode converting after missing his first two kicks at goal, before Tuilagi's break set up Tom Varndell.

Leading 20-0 at the break, Leicester claimed two more scores after the interval with a penalty try and Goode also crossing, Shaun Perry and his scrum-half replacement Graeme Beveridge grabbing consolation tries for Bristol.

Leicester coach Marcelo Loffreda:

"It was very important to put in a performance like this - we have finished a tough week with a good win and five points.

"We didn't want to have a schedule like this. We have had to deal with it.

"But we will have to play better in our last two games against Newcastle and Harlequins if we want to compete."

Bristol assistant coach Paul Hull:

"We came with a young side and they showed some true grit and team spirit in the second half.

"There were some harsh words at half time and the boys responded to win the second half 14-12.

"We didn't come here to lose. I was pleased with the young players. It was a good step towards next year to get game time in front of a big crowd."

Leicester: G Murphy; Varndell, Hipkiss, Mauger, Al Tuilagi; Goode, Ellis; Castrogiovanni, Davies, White, Corry (capt); Kay, Croft, Herring, Crane.
Replacements: Kayser, Ayerza, Blaze, B Deacon, F Murphy, Humphreys, Erinle.

Bristol: L Arscott; Robinson, Brew, Eves, Lemi; Barnes, Perry (capt); Crompton, Linklater, Bracken, Sambucetti, Hohneck, Grieve, Blowers, Ward-Smith.
Replacements: Prosser, Clarke, Budgett, To'oala, Beveridge, Strange, Higgitt.