Tigers tamed by Edinburgh

Leicester have been knocked out of the Heineken Cup at the group stage after going down 17-12 to Pool Six rivals Edinburgh at Murrayfield.

The Tigers needed a bonus-point win to keep alive their quarter-final qualification hopes, but were instead outplayed by the side with nothing to play for but who ultimately deserved their victory - Edinburgh also scoring the game's only two tries.

Last season's runners-up had looked strong in the early exchanges and it took them only three minutes to get off the mark when Andy Goode kicked a penalty after Allister Hogg was caught offside.

Leicester kept up their momentum and they were unlucky not to be awarded another penalty when winger Tom Varndell was obstructed off the ball. Both teams also seemed increasingly intent to rely on a kicking game in an effort to establish territory.

Breathing space

The kicking on display was generally average; however, the visitors handed themselves more breathing space after 10 minutes when Goode found the target once more.

Edinburgh finally found the wherewithal to respond, a series of raids by Nick de Luca and Ben Cairns ultimately coming to nought following a knock-on.

Poor kicking by Goode allowed the home side to keep applying pressure and yet there was little in the way of evidence that Leicester's defence might be breached.

Then, and despite being a man down - lock Ben Gissing being sent to the sin-bin for an off-the-ball incident - the Gunners finally seized the initiative in the closing stages of the opening period.

The hosts seemed inspired by their disadvantage and it was Phil Godman who made the breakthrough, the fly-half dashing through a midfield gap close to the line.

He then converted to ratchet up the pressure but Leicester responded in stoppage time when Goode's third penalty edged them in front.

But Andy Robinson's half-time talk must have registered as Edinburgh started the second period in aggressive fashion, the Tigers getting the benefit of the verdict when the ball was held up over their line.

Problems

Leicester's problems deepened moments later when England hooker George Chuter was yellow-carded in front of his own posts for killing the ball - Godman kicking the penalty without problem.

Goode then cancelled it out to restore his team's slender advantage but, with Edinburgh having been pinned back for a prolonged spell, they then hit back with a second try.

And what a try it was: De Luca and Simon Webster featured in a slick and imaginative handling move which concluding with hooker Ross Ford plunging over.

With every point precious, Godman faced a difficult conversion was from a wide angle; however he held his nerve.

Leicester made a number of late substitutions in an effort to find a late response. But their efforts only resulted in frustration as All Black Aaron Mauger's hold on the ball was loosened close to the Edinburgh line.

The visitors still pressed; however, a late break resulted in a marvellous cover tackle by Southwell - Goode subsequently penalised for holding on.