Leicester 21 Stade Francais 20:The Heineken European Cup reaches some distant parts of Europe each year but the only relevant road to European glory is suddenly the M69 between Leicester and Coventry. After two gripping quarter-finals yesterday which frayed the nerves of players and supporters alike, there are an unprecedented three English survivors in the last four and the odds against a home win at Twickenham next month have been utterly transformed.
The Tigers' supreme effort in overcoming Stade in the most gladiatorial of contests has already secured an effective "home" semi-final against Llanelli Scarlets at the nearby Walkers Stadium and the Dublin-based organisers could yet find themselves marketing an all-East Midlands finale should Northampton edge out Wasps at Coventry City's Ricoh Arena. Either way, the remaining three knockout games will have to be quite something to match the sheer muscular passion which, ultimately, proved too much for the big cheeses of French rugby.
Given the threat of a Gallic boycott hanging over next year's tournament, an abrupt French withdrawal arguably contained a hint of poetic justice. "Maybe it was preparation for the new season," murmured Stade's coach Fabien Galthie, doing his best to raise a smile after a game which proved once again how slim the margins at this level have become.
If only by virtue of scoring two tries through wingers Seru Rabeni and Tom Varndell against one of the tightest of defences, Leicester deserve to have reached their second European semi-final in three years. It may be overshadowed within 24 hours, though, if the English clubs decide at a meeting today to follow the French and pull out of next season's event as part of their arm-wrestle with the Rugby Football Union. "It's a possibility," said Premier Rugby's chief executive Mark McCafferty last night. "Without the French it's a different tournament."
Leicester, though, will savour yesterday's outcome as long as they can. Having enjoyed the advantage of a stiff breeze, the half-time score of 11-11 was a less sturdy platform than they might have wished for after a roaring first quarter.
Forwards and backs were already humming in concert as early as the third minute and Geordan Murphy's scoring pass which put Rabeni over in the right corner looked as if it might be the first of many.
Any optimistic Tigers' fans anticipating a rout had reckoned without Juan Martin Hernandez, surely the world's best current fullback. His 20th-minute try was impressive enough as he powered past at least three would-be tacklers.
He was also responsible for the moment of the game and, quite possibly, the season as the freight train otherwise known as Alex Tuilagi rampaged towards the right corner. Many would have let this irresistible force of nature take its course; Hernandez knocked the Samoan into the corner flag with the sort of tackle which merited not just a victory but a VC.
In the context of this epic contest, it was still not quite enough. Stade entered the last 10 minutes with a 20-14 lead thanks to Skrela's boot but they reckoned without Dan Hipkiss's soft-shoe shuffle on the right which created a half-yard of space for the electric Varndell.
LEICESTER: G Murphy; S Rabeni, D Hipkiss, D Gibson, A Tuilagi; A Goode, H Ellis; M Ayerza, G Chuter, J White, L Deacon, B Kay, L Moody, S Jennings, M Corry. Replacements: T Varndell for Rabeni (57 mins), M Castrogiovanni for Ayerza (59), L Cullen for Deacon (65 mins), B Deacon for Corry (69 mins).
STADE FRANCAIS: J-M Hernandez; J Arias, S Glas, B Liebenberg, C Dominici (capt); D Skrela, A Pichot; R Roncero, B Kayser, P De Villiers, B Du Plooy, M James, P Rabadan, R Martin, S Parisse. Replacements: A Burban for Martin (51 mins) M Blin for Kayser (58 mins), A Marchois for du Plooy (61 mins), Mi Bergamasco for Arias (69 mins).
Referee A Lewis (Ireland).
Guardian Service
