Tigers won’t make mountain out of ’Hill

PARIS in the springtime, the high veldt in summer, Thomond Park on pretty much any Heineken Cup weekend you would care to choose: none are appealing venues or scenarios for a visiting rugby team.

Ravenhill on a Friday night was once mentioned in the same breath before the fear factor was diluted by a string of disappointing seasons. At one stage, Ulster had lost four of five European ties in Belfast — but the fortress mentality has been restored.

Ten straight domestic victories have been bagged in the Heineken Cup now, meaning Leicester will pitch up tonight looking to become the first side since Stade Francais in October 2008 to capture the home standard.