Valuable win for Tigers

Manu Tuilagi: First-half try-scorer

Leicester did their Heineken Cup hopes the power of good on Saturday when they came from behind to beat Clermont Auvergne 23-19 in their Pool Four match.

There were worried faces at Welford Road at the end of a first half that brought a try scored by Manu Tuilagi but was otherwise dominated by the French side.

Play was scrappy in general but the Tigers were making most of the errors, being turned over time and again while Toby Flood also appeared out of sorts.

Sitiveni Sivivatu then scored to give Clermont the advantage but Richard Cockerill's men were soon back in contention in a match that saw the lead change hands six times.

Jules Salvi scored again for Leicester and Flood also found his aim when it mattered, the result moving Leicester second in the Pool behind Ulster.

Flood made a poor start, with a breakdown in communication between him and half-back partner Ben Youngs in the second minute leading to a drop goal kicked by David Skrela.

The England fly-half had a chance to level soon after but his penalty attempt sailed wide right.

Leicester went for the line when they were awarded another penalty moments later, but this time Manu Tuilagi's bulldozing run was met in kind by Julien Malzieu.

Morgan Parra kicked a second drop goal after 15 minutes but the home side hit back with the game's first try two minutes later.

Angled run

Manu Tuilagi scored it after picking up Flood's pass before this time powering past Malzieu on an angled run, with the number 10 kicking the extras to put Leicester one point ahead.

Their lead lasted just two minutes before Parra kicked a penalty from the right-hand touchline and although Clermont continued to have the edge, they failed to add more points with Brock James - on for Skrela - missing a long-range penalty in the 33rd minute.

Flood's 44-metre effort again flew right soon after, and it was also his attempted offload upon which Clermont pounced upon to score as the half closed.

After gaining the turnover, Wesley Fofana and Alexandre Lapandry broke down the centre, with Parra then flinging the ball right before Lee Byrne set up Sivivatu on the overlap.

Parra converted, meaning Leicester started the second half looking to overturn a nine-point deficit.

Flood clawed three back with his first successful penalty in the 44th minute and, as perhaps expected, the Tigers ratcheted up the pressure.

Clermont's defences were breached again four minutes later when Youngs made a break and passed left for Salvi, who timed his run to perfection before crossing.

Flood converted, meaning Leicester had needed just eight minutes to re-take the lead. However, after Clermont gained territory when replacement Gavin Williams failed to deal with an up-and-under, the resulting penalty was converted by Parra.

The visitors could then have scored when Malzieu almost picked up James' crossfield kick but Flood, having just missed a drop goal, booted a penalty in the 61st minute to put Leicester one point clear.

Mistakes

They came close to extending their lead in the 65th minute when, after Sivivatu had lost possession of the slippery ball, Williams broke clear before the ball was knocked on.

As the clock ticked, similar mistakes were made as the conditions took their toll. In that context, Flood's 73rd minute penalty was vital for the Tigers - even more so when James subsequently missed.

Trying to deny their opponents the losing bonus point, Leicester continued pressed for the line. They failed to do so but considering their position at half time, the Tigers will be delighted nonetheless.