Relentless Leicester book place in quarter-finals

Clermont Auvergne 27 Leicester 40

Leicester’s late comeback against the Ospreys and last week’s inspirational victory over Stade Francais - when they overturned a 22-12 deficit in the final nine minutes - left Pat Howard’s men in pole position to qualify from Pool Three.

They required just a bonus point at the Parc des Sports Marcel-Michelin and had it after just 44 minutes when Varndell scored his third.

The Tigers will now wait to discover whether five wins from six games is enough to earn them a home quarter-final. Effectively the Tigers require either Sale to lose in Munster, or Leinster to beat Bath.

After an Andy Goode penalty the Tigers stung Clermont Auvergne with three superb tries in 14 minutes.

Geordan Murphy created Leicester’s first try as he counter-attacked through Jones’ poor tackle and fed to Varndell, who held off Mignoni to score. Four minutes later he was over again after a pass from Harry Ellis.

Leicester moved 22-6 ahead when Martin Corry charged 20 metres before sending Danny Hipkiss under the posts.

Despite a Clermot Auvergne try by Floch, Leicester’s passage into the quarter-finals was confirmed just four minutes after the interval.

Murphy offloaded to Varndell who caught and touched down.

Goode scored another penalty, a drop goal and converted Varndell’s fourth try. Alexandre Audebert scored a try for Clermont, and Paulse finished off their scoring by picking off a loose pass from Ross Broadfoot.

Clermont Auvergne scorers: Tries: Floch, Audebert, Paulse. Cons: Jones 3. Pens: Jones 2.

CLERMONT AUVERGNE: Floch, Paulse, Canale, Marsh, Malzieu, Jones, Mignoni, Emmanuelli, M. Ledesma, Scelzo, Cudmore, Privat, Broomhall, Dieude, Vermeulen.

Replacements: Shvelidze for Emmanuelli (54), Miguel for M. Ledesma (60), Zirakashvili for Scelzo (49), Barrier for Cudmore (40), Audebert for Privat (61).

Leicester scorers: Tries: Varndell 4, Hipkiss. Cons: Goode 2, Broadfoot. Pens: Goode 2. Drop Goals: Goode.

LEICESTER: Vesty, Varndell, Smith, Hipkiss, Murphy, Goode, Ellis, Rowntree, Chuter, White, L. Deacon, Kay, B. Deacon, Abraham, Corry.

Replacements: A. Tuilagi for Smith (20), Broadfoot for Goode (70), Healey for Ellis (70), Morris for Rowntree (66), Buckland for Chuter (70), Cullen for Kay (50), Johnson for Corry (56).

Ref: Alain Rolland (Ireland).