Leicester continued their push for a top-three finish in the Zurich Premiership with a commanding six-try victory over Bristol at Welford Road.

Two tries from Irish full-back Geordan Murphy and further scores from Josh Kronfeld, Ollie Smith, Rod Kafer and Steve Booth moved the Tigers level with third place Leeds.

Murphy's incisive contribution underlined his claims for a starting spot for Ireland in their Six Nations opener against Scotland next Sunday.

And Leicester's England contingent all came through unscathed ahead of their Twickenham date with France.

Match facts

Leicester 40 (14) Tries: Murphy 2, Kronfeld, Smith, Kafer, Booth Cons: Murphy 2, Stimpson 3 Bristol 6 (6) Pens: Contepomi 2

But defeat plunged Bristol - already facing an uncertain future with owner Malcolm Pearce poised to withdraw his funding - further into the relegation battle.

The Shoguns started brightly and Leicester were grateful to Samoan wing Freddie Tuilagi for two crucial early tackles on Michael Lipman and Paul Johnstone.

But it was the Tigers who opened the scoring after seven minutes, Murphy converting his own clinical finish after Smith's arcing run had breached the visitors' defence.

Leicester proceeded to dominate but Murphy failed to extend the lead when he nudged a penalty attempt wide.

Contepomi also left his kicking boots at home initially, missing two presentable kicks at goals.

The second penalty was awarded after England captain Martin Johnson was sin-binned for tackling Lipman without the ball.

Contepomi did not have one of his better days

Johnson's third yellow card in a 12-month period means he will receive a one-game ban on his return to domestic duty.

But with their captain off the pitch, the Tigers scored a second try.

A break from stand-off Sam Vesty and quick hands from Kafer and Leon Lloyd found Murphy running another sublime angle to the line.

Murphy added the extras for a 14-0 lead, but Contepomi landed two penalties in injury-time to keep Bristol in touch.

The Tigers ensured they remained in command however with a third try early in the second half.

Murphy kicked a penalty to touch and from the resultant line-out, a trademark rolling drive finished with Kronfeld burrowing his way over.

Lloyd's dashing break down the right wing might have brought a fourth try, but the bonus point did arrive seven minutes from time.

Kafer's vision produced an easy run in for Smith, before the Australian centre scored the fifth after another Vesty break.

Booth finished off a highly satisfactory afternoon for the reigning champions with a stunning solo score, replacement Tim Stimpson converting all three to embellish the margin.

Leicester: Murphy; Lloyd, Smith, Kafer, Tuilagi; Vesty, Hamilton; Rowntree, West, Tournaire, M Johnson, Deacon, Moody, Kronfeld, Corry.
Replacements: Chuter, Balding, Garforth, Stimpson, Booth, Tierney, Back.

Bristol: Williams; Rees, Shaw, Gibson, Christophers; Contepomi, Pichot; Sheridan, Johnstone, Crompton, S Morgan, Brown, Salter, Lipman, Beattie.
Replacements: Bergamaschi, Nelson, Oakley, C Morgan, Best, Richards, Drahm.

Referee: Rob Goodliffe (RFU)