Same teams, same stage, same prize – different venue.

Leicester Tigers and Llanelli Scarlets go head-to-head in the Heineken Cup semi-finals on Saturday, 21 April in a repeat of their last four clash back on 28 April, 2002.


Then it was the City Ground, Nottingham. This time it will be the Walkers Stadium, Leicester.


Four years ago it took a last-gasp 56 metre penalty kick from Tim Stimpson to settle the match 13-12 in favour of Leicester.


The Tigers were the reigning champions and went on to defend their crown with a narrow win over Munster at the Millennium Stadium.


This year is was the Scarlets who put out Munster. They sent the champions packing from Stradey Park with a 24-15 win in the quarter-finals.


In fact, Munster were the third former European champion side to be beaten by Llanelli. The west Wales region did the double over Toulouse and Ulster in the Pool stages and should they overcome two-time champions Leicester on Saturday, another former winner of the Heineken Cup awaits them in the form of either London Wasps or Northampton Saints.


With seven straight wins, the Scarlets have been the form team in this competition – a fact acknowledged by Tigers boss Pat Howard.


“They have been the form side in the Heineken cup so far,” said Howard,
 
“The Scarlets won six out six in a very difficult Pool, we know that and are looking forward to it, we know we will have to produce an even better performance to win against them.”


But if anyone is capable of producing a result it is Pat Howard’s side. Leicester have grunted and shunted their way into the semi-finals with six wins on the bounce after losing their opening match to Munster.


Since that 21-19 defeat they have looked unstoppable, and when they edged their way past Stade Francis Paris in one of the most incredible Heineken Cup quarter-finals, everyone took note – the Tigers mean business.