All sides try to use this tactic and when executed well it means that even the fastest rushing defender cannot reach the deep runner. He is then able to isolate the last defender in the line and utilise the overlap. The outside runner has a lot of space to exploit.

In theory, this is straightforward but lots of teams are not able to execute this tactic properly. For it to succeed, you have to get each stage absolutely right, and one imprecision kills the ploy. It looks easy when done successfully – it is not. The deep runner has to run the right line. If he drifts too much, he can get caught behind the gain line. He has to hit the ball at full pace, otherwise he gives the opposition outside defenders the chance to drift. This effectively stops the attack reaching the edge of the defence, and if the wide players do get the ball, they have multiple defenders covering across the field. Even if he does all this correctly, the passer has to put the ball in exactly the right place. So often, you see a pass slightly behind or flat to a runner, which means he has to slow to catch the ball. Ford does this very well.

Tigers had a young set of backs, but in the first half they consistently managed to find the edge of the Wasps defence and got runners into the backfield. What they failed to do was finish off the chances they created.

They were also sharp to spot when defenders tried not to commit to a tackle and left their inside shoulder vulnerable. Freddie Steward had the speed and power to take advantage of these situations, and Harry Potter was also notably creative. On another day they would have scored or assisted in several tries.

It will be interesting to see how Leicester react to this loss, as the sort of winning streak they have had sustains a team when matches get tight. Tigers have won games this season that they would have lost in previous years.

The good news is that their basic game is solid. We are talking about fine tuning, not fundamental reform. They lost the collision battle against Wasps, and they need to use this loss as a reminder that they cannot take anything for granted.