Heineken Cup / Neath-Swansea Ospreys 15 Leicester 17: Leicester's clash with Stade Francais at Welford Road next month should decide who finishes top of the pool after the Tigers capped an unlikely comeback with a winning try in stoppage time yesterday.
But the success came at a cost. Scrumhalf Harry Ellis suffered a knee injury after being stamped on by the lock Ian Evans and the Ospreys centre Gavin Henson may be cited after elbowing and then kicking out at prop Alex Moreno.
The game promised to be spicy after the Ospreys accused Leicester of cheating at the breakdown last week. The citing commissioner will be busy today, Leicester wanting him to look at the two incidents.
Henson has played only two matches this season after a groin operation. The right foot he aimed at Moreno's face in the 19th minute, though it did not connect, could earn him more time off.
The pair had been involved in a skirmish off the ball: Moreno swung an arm at Henson, who responded with an elbow to the prop's nose. As Moreno fell he grabbed Henson's boot and the commissioner must decide if the centre was aiming a kick or trying to shake free.
The Ospreys led by seven points at the interval, thanks to a try three minutes into stoppage time, when hooker Barry Williams forced his way over. They also emerged from the break the stronger and led 15-3 within nine minutes when Shaun Connor tapped a penalty on the 22 and dived over in the corner.
When Leon Lloyd scored Leicester's first try 17 minutes from time, it appeared to be mere consolation. But Stefan Terblanche failed to gather a loose ball, Tom Varndell gathered in his own 22, Leicester counterattacked, and when the ball was moved left Dan Hipkiss ran in under the posts, giving Andy Goode a straightforward conversion.
NEATH-SWANSEA OSPREYS: Cashmore; Terblanche, Parker, Henson, Mustoe; Connor, Spice; D Jones, B Williams (capt), A Jones; Newman, Evans; Bater, Tandy, Thomas. Replacements: Bishop for Connor (71 mins), Bateman for Evans (79 mins).
LEICESTER: Murphy; Lloyd, Smith, Cornwell, Varndell; Goode, Ellis; Morris, Chuter, Moreno; Cullen, Kay; B Deacon, Jennings, Corry (capt). Replacements: Healey for Ellis (34 mins), Hipkiss for Cornwell (47 mins), Rowntree for Morris (49 mins), L Deacon for Kay (53 mins), Abraham for B Deacon (69 mins), Vesty for Murphy (74 mins).
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland).
Guardian Service
