Rugby: Leinster coach Joe Schmidt hailed a huge defensive effort from his team that underpinned a 17-10 victory over Leicester which leaves them needing two more wins to capture a second European title.

Four Jonathan Sexton penalties and an Isa Nacewa try saw off Leicester at the Aviva Stadium to book a semi-final appointment with Biarritz or Toulouse later this month.

The Tigers replied with a late Rob Hawkins touchdown that Toby Flood converted to add to an earlier penalty, but the English league leaders never seriously threatened the 2009 European champions.

“There were a number of turning points in the game — it swung backwards and forwards,” Schmidt said after the match. “We missed a couple of chances in the first half — we made some fantastic line breaks we didn’t finish — but we also had pressure on the scoreboard.

“Leicester were always playing catch-up, but massive respect for our defence. We held them out through multiple phases. Leo Cullen was massive for us. He impressed me early in the week when he was devising our lineout defence, and I thought our lineout defence was another turning point.”

Leinster had a let-off in the 20th minute when Alesana Tuilagi brushed the touchline in the act of scoring under pressure from Sean O’Brien and Schmidt saw that as a pivotal moment.

“I think he should have scored. It was a crucial moment in the game,” the New Zealander added. “It could have put them 10-9 ahead and we would have been chasing the game, as opposed to them chasing it.

“And I was a little bit worried at the end, although I felt we would stay disciplined and keep our defensive shape, but there were some tired guys out there. There are some boys in bits in our changing room, and I doubt it is not a lot different in the Leicester dressing room.”

Leicester boss Richard Cockerill tonight offered no excuses for the Tigers’s Heineken Cup demise.

“We can’t complain,” said Cockerill. “We had opportunities to win, but we didn’t take them, and against a side like Leinster it will come back to bite you on the backside.

“When the pressure comes on in the big games, you have got to execute those chances, but I have nothing but praise for our boys. At 17-3 down, a lot of sides would have given up the ghost.

“We showed great attitude and spirit. That fighting spirit will always be there, but the result is hugely disappointing — it was that tight.”