The Tigers secured their place in the final eight with a confident display that send s a warning to all their European rivals.

But it was Clermont Auverge who started well, and roared on by a full house at Parc des Sports Marcel Michelin the pack made inroads into Leicester territory and Clermont outside half Stephen Jones put his side into a 6-0 lead after just ten minutes with two penalty goals.

But Leicester fought back, and Andy Goode slotted over Leicester’s first points after 18 minutes, before ruining his reputation as England’s most consistent kicker with a horribly skewed kick at goal just 60 seconds later.

Leicester took an 8-6 lead when Varnell skipped his way to the try line for the first of his four tries following good work from fellow wing Geordan Murphey after 24 minutes. But Goode could not find the centre of the uprights with his conversion attempt.

And it was England scrum half Harry Ellis who stepped up to make Varndell’s second try of the match after 34 minutes. Ellis shrugged off the attentions Pierre Mignono to power his way to within 10 metres of the line and feed Varndell for the easy score.

And the home fans were further silenced when another England international decided to make his presence felt. Martin Corry orchestrated a devastating Tigers scrum before rushing 30 metres toward the line and feeding Dan Hipkiss for an easy score,

The home side bounced back with an immediate try for fullback Anthony Flock, Jones converted to make the score 13-22 and the home fans were given a glimmer of hope as the first half clock ticked down.

Vandell scored his hat-trick try just four minutes into the second half when he finished off a lovely Leicester move, Goode’s kick was wayward, but the Tigers didn’t care as the fourth try of the evening secured the bonus point and their passage to the quarter-finals.

Goode put further points on the board with a 35 metre penalty five minutes later, a kick that extended the visitors’ lead to 17 points.

AReplacement Alexandere Audebert crossed for the home side with thirteen minutes to go to cut the lead to ten-points, hoever that glimmer of hope proved just that as Varndell raced to the line moments later after being put in by Murphey.

The Tigers conceded a soft try to wing Breyton Paulse, as the winger picked up a loose pass to run in unopposed and again raise the fans hopes of a home comeback, but that was final score of the match, and as it was, the Tigers cruised to victory.