Leeds produced the first Premiership upset of the season as Dan Scarborough scored twice in a 26-13 defeat of defending champions Leicester.

The England A full-back scored either side of half-time to cap a remarkable win for the top flight's bottom-placed club last season.

Leicester had an appalling start to the defence of their crown with some lacklustre all-round play straight from the kick-off.

Leeds were in the ascendancy throughout the first 40 minutes but failed to convert the majority of chances.

The first fell to South African Bram van Straaten who missed a simple penalty chance.

Van Straaten, though, redeemed himself as the creator of the half's only try when he put through a neat grubber kick inside the Tigers' 22.

George Harder gathered and looked to have enough pace for the try before being caught by Tim Stimpson.

But Stimpson failed to get to grips with the Tykes' wing, who handed the ball to Scarborough to score in the corner.

Van Straaten, who later later limped off injured, duly converted.

The try sparked Leicester briefly into life but all they could manage for their efforts was a single Stimpson penalty, while their defence held firm to keep out their hosts.

Healey strikes

After the break Leeds once again started strongly but Gordon Ross missed an early penalty opportunity.

Leicester, traditionally slow starters in the league, got the necessary wake-up call when Ben Kay was sin binned for punching and took the lead in the 56th minute following a well-worked move.

But Booth, despite being caught, and the Leicester forwards managed to recycle the ball which eventually came out to Austin Healey.

Healey laid it on to Neil Back, who drew in two men in the tackle to leave the way clear for Healey to touch down in the corner.

Stimpson got the conversion and added a further penalty to three from Ross as Leeds went back into the lead.

The Leeds number 10 had his chances to extend that lead but missed a trio of chances with the boot.

But, with the scores at 19-13 to the home side, Scarborough finally sealed Leicester's fate with a comfortable last-ditch try and Ross added two points with the conversion.

Leicester: Stimpson, Booth, Smith, Hipkiss, Tuilagi, Healey, Hamilton, Rowntree, West, Tournaire, M. Johnson, Kay, Kronfeld, Back, Corry.
Replacements: Chuter, Freshwater, W. Johnson, Short, Ellis, Naufahu, Vesty.

Referee: Chris White (RFU)