Much was expected of Bristol’s exciting backs division, bolstered by winger Rees-Zammit making his first top-flight appearance since leaving for the NFL in January 2024.
And the Wales international duly delivered a score in the dying embers with a dazzling burst of speed from inside his own half to add gloss to a hard-earned victory.
But Bristol’s forward muscle also proved pivotal, providing two of their first three tries to wrestle back the initiative – and forcing a string of penalties at the breakdown.
After MacGinty booted Bristol ahead, it was Tigers’ adventure which earned the first try, creating an overlap for Will Wand to turn on the pace down the right touchline before Ollie Hassell-Collins’ slick offload sent van Poortvliet in.
Radwan then extended Leicester’s lead, showing strength to break through three challenges and cross in the right corner.
Bristol hit back through the forwards as Harding marked his 100th appearance – and his 50th as captain – by burrowing over from close range, with Jordan, taking over the kicking duties on his Prem debut, adding the extras.
Bailey’s long-range penalty attempt bounced back off the right-hand post, but Radwan’s second try soon extended Leicester’s lead, this time with a brilliant one-handed diving finish.
The hosts hit back again in a seesaw first half when quick recycling allowed Ibitoye, last season’s joint-leading try scorer, to run in to the left corner unchallenged.
And with Bailey having also missed two conversions, Jordan kicked the extras to level at half-time.
Jordan sent Bristol ahead for the first time early in the second half with a penalty, before Oghre peeled off the back of an irresistible forward drive to put the hosts 10 points clear.
With the game slipping away, Bailey – one of six Leicester debutants – dived over to cut the deficit to three, yet they had no answer to a slick Bristol move and Carrington’s acceleration as the Bears quickly restored their two-score cushion.
The hosts withstood big pressure as Leicester pressed hard before Jordan took his debut tally to 14 points with a second penalty and Rees-Zammit’s Hollywood moment.