Party on hold as Tigers hunt more trophies

There were genuine scenes of joy on that balcony, as the players sang along with supporters, but the under-lying message was that the season doesn't end with the League title. As Johnson put it: 'We hope to bring you at least one more trophy this year.'

Director of rugby Dean Richards, a little miffed at the fixture tinkering, is taking his squad away to Portugal this afternoon - some might think for some relaxing golf and party games in reward for a remarkable achievement.

'It's an opportunity to get in some quality training, actually,' said Richards, a news flash which said everything about the philosophy behind this all- conquering Tigers team. 'The weather in England has been awful, we've struggled to get on a pitch some days, so we can go out there and do some sprint training, serious weights and a bit of homework for the next couple of weeks.

'If the boys want to go sun-bathing it's up to them - but there is serious work to be done.

'We've been building on where we started three years ago - and there is more to come out of this side.

'We have to be mindful that there are some old legs who won't last much longer and the next two or three seasons will see a few of them finish.

'The work ethic at this club is excellent. The players deserve the accolade of being treble champions because they've worked for it, they are the best Leicester side I've ever been involved with.

'But there is still a lot for us to do. There is the small matter of the playoffs and a European Cup semi-final - a lot of the boys have been frustrated by that tournament in the past four or five years and would like to put it right.'

Tigers lock Ben Kay reflected on the day's events, saying: 'It's not the best way to win a championship.

'When the news came through from Bath, a lot of fans were going barmy but the players were quite subdued.

'It's quite strange to win it now because we've got quite a few games left, and there is the European Cup and play-offs to concentrate on.'

Rookie centre Ollie Smith appeared slightly overwhelmed, revealing: 'I've been supporting Tigers since I was seven, so just to see them win a title from the touchline would be brilliant.

'I never expected to be involved in the 1st XV at the start of the season, never mind winning trophies, so it's a bit of a dream for me.'

The European Cup semi-final against Gloucester will at least provide a real test for Leicester, something they didn't face on Saturday.

They were brilliant in the first half, producing arguably the best 40 minutes of rugby this season, but they couldn't have scored the six tries which helped them to a 39-7 lead at the interval without a little assistance from the struggling Falcons.

With Tim Stimpson in form with the boot, becoming only the third Tiger to pass 400 points in a season and topping the 1000-point mark for the club, Leicester were always going to extend their run of 39 home Premiership matches without defeat.

Winston Stanley got two touchdowns, Andy Goode and Steven Booth scored once, Neil Back went over twice and Stimpson himself bagged two tries in the final haul, against Gareth Maclure's single try for the Falcons in the first half.

Newcastle director of rugby Rob Andrew, whose criticism of Leicester's tendency to play on the edge of the laws earlier this season provided extra motivation for Richards, said: 'This is an extraordinary achievement and a great testament to the club.

'We know how hard it is to win one title so to win three is out of this world, it is a period of total dominance by Leicester.'