Tigers crushed as Leinster head to semi-finals
LEICESTER never recovered from a devastating first half by Leinster as their Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final ended in a crushing 23-14 defeat at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Tournament favourites Leinster fielded a starting XV containing 13 Ireland internationals and the gulf in class told as they powered 20-0 ahead by half time, with scrum-half Jamison Gibson-park in mesmerising form.
It was the first time in three years Leicester had been kept scoreless by the time the interval arrived as the foundations were laid for the demise of their unbeaten home record this season.
A Tigers uprising followed with Chris Ashton finishing a beautifully taken try – his 41st in Europe – but their lung-busting effort was not matched by an ability to threaten the line as Leinster set up a semi-final against Toulouse next weekend.
La Rochelle also booked their place in the semi-finals with a 31-19 win over Montpellier at the Stade Marcel Deflandre. Dany Priso scored under the posts to settle the hosts, with Ihaia West converting, and adding a penalty, inside the opening 20 minutes.
Victor Vito went over to further extend the lead, with West again adding the additional points.
Montpellier gave themselves hope heading into the break with a try from prop Henry Thomas, which was converted by Louis Foursans-bourdette to reduce the deficit to 17-7.
Toulouse were pinpoint accurate in a nerve-jangling penalty shootout at the Aviva Stadium as they knocked Munster out of the Heineken Champions
Cup. The reigning champions, who fought back to level the game at 24-24 and send it to extra time, will face Leicester Tigers or Leinster in next week’s semi-finals after winning a tense shootout 4-2.
Antoine Dupont split the posts twice for Toulouse, including a key strike from the 10-metre line, with Thomas Ramos and Romain Ntamack also on target.
Conor Murray and Joey Carbery had successful penalties, but misses from Ben Healy (two) and Murray ended Munster’s campaign in devastating fashion.