Townsend watches Tigers reach final after fighting back to beat Ulster

Leicester reached a first European final for 12 years as they claimed an impressive 33-24 Challenge Cup victory over Ulster at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Tigers wiped out an 11-point interval deficit to book a place against Bath or Montpellier in the Twickenham final on May 21 after England fly-half George Ford ran the show.

For half the contest, it looked like Leicester would go the same way as Harlequins and Northampton as Ulster chased a hat-trick of wins against Gallagher Premiership clubs in Europe this season.

But with British and Irish Lions assistant coaches

Gregor Townsend and Steve Tandy conducting a watching brief ahead of next Thursday's South Africa tour squad announcement, Leicester rallied brilliantly.

Ford kicked 18 points from a drop-goal, three penalties and three conversions, while Tigers' England prop Ellis Genge, South African No 8 Jasper Wiese and wing Guy Porter scored tries.

Ulster claimed touchdowns from skipper Iain Henderson, fly-half Billy Burns and No 8 Nick Timoney, plus a Michael Lowry conversion and two conversions and a penalty by scrum-half John Cooney, but Leicester prevailed and booked a first European final appearance since being beaten by Heineken Cup opponents Leinster in 2009.

Meanwhile, Sam Underhill will complete a half-century of Bath appearances knowing a strong performance against Montpellier today could secure a place in the British and Irish Lions squad.

Warren Gatland will be watching the Challenge Cup semi-final from the stands at the Recreation Ground just five days before he names his 36-strong party.

Anthony Watson and Taulupe

Faletau also start and are certain to be picked by Gatland, but Underhill would benefit from a timely reminder of his destructive power as a bighitting flanker having missed the Six Nations because of a hip injury.

The England back row plays in a ferociously competitive position where the Lions are populated with a number of high-quality options.