Zurich Premiership champions Leicester produced a storming first-half display to beat leaders Gloucester in the top-of-the-table clash at Welford Road.

Gloucester grabbed an early lead with a try from Jake Boer in the opening 90 seconds.

But former All-Black flanker Josh Kronfeld touched down twice as the Tigers moved into a commanding 20-5 lead by the break.

The win, which closed the gap at the top to just five points, was all the more impressive for the fact that Leicester had lost several forwards to England duty.

They wasted no time responding to Boer's early try, fly-half Sam Vesty reducing the deficit with a penalty.

Vesty then set up the Tigers' first real attack in the 15th minute with a kick to the left corner, winger Leon Lloyd diving over to score.

Another Vesty kick 10 minutes later set up a line-out.

And, after two drives either side of the ruck, Kronfeld was pushed over for the try.

Kronfeld again finished off a line-out drive in the 37th minute.

And Gloucester's chances were hit when number eight Junior Paramore was sin-binned for an infringement at the ruck in injury time.

The visitors were forced to defend desperately in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, but the hosts failed to finish them off.

Centre Terry Fanolua scored an intercept try for Gloucester in the 74th minute and Henry Paul converted to make it 20-12.

But they could not summon up the attacking invention to win the game, although Paul's late penalty was enough to earn a bonus point.

Leicester: Lloyd, Tuilagi, Smith, Kafer, Booth, Vesty, Ellis, Freshwater, West, Garforth, Deacon, Corry, W. Johnson, Kronfeld, Balding. Replacements: Short, Tournaire, Chuter, Gerry, Tierney, Raynor, Gelderbloom.

Gloucester: Paul, Garvey, Fanolua, Todd, Delport, Mercier, Stuart-Smith, Roncero, Azam, Deacon, Houston, Cornwell, Buxton, Boer, Paramore. Replacements: Frape, Beim, Catling, Elloway, Irish, Forrester, Fidler.

Referee: Dave Pearson (RFU).