Neil Back today defended his illegal hand-in-the-scrum manoeuvre that ensured European kings Leicester made Heineken Cup history, and claimed: ‘‘I did what I felt was necessary.’’

Munster suffered European Cup final agony again as Leicester were crowned kings of Europe for a second successive season at an emotion-charged Millennium Stadium.

Leicester’s grip on the Heineken Cup was loosened by a fired-up Llanelli side, who secured a deserved half-time lead in the clubs’ semi-final.