Pau looked as though they were strolling towards the last eight as they opened up a 24-7 interval lead, but those hopes were eventually dashed after the Pool 5 winners staged a gritty second-half comeback.

The French club stretched their winning home sequence in the competition to 10 matches with two tries from wing Vincent Pinto and one from prop Teddy Leffler, plus nine points from fly-half Antoine Hastoy.

Pau had lost four of their previous five games against Leicester, but a fifth defeat never looked likely, with Pinto speeding over for his double inside five minutes and Hastoy converting both.

The Tigers hit back in the 15th minute via a try from centre Noel Reid following a rolling maul that was improved by Hardwick from the touchline.

That is 'Fin du match' in Pau and it's the home side, @SectionPaloise, who come away victorious as our lads register a losing bonus-point.#PAUvLEI 🏆 #COYT 🐯 pic.twitter.com/9nALzVycjg

— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) January 18, 2020

However, a yellow card for a high tackle by full-back George Worth in the 35th minute swung the match back Pau’s way and they capitalised with a try four minutes later by Leffler that was converted by Hastoy.

Leicester held out at the start of the second half, though, and rallied superbly with a 62nd minute try from replacement Ben White that was converted by Hardwick, who then added that vital late penalty.