With the crowd producing a magnificent atmosphere the players produced a mighty and bruising confrontation with Leinster now set to face either Biarritz Olympique or Toulouse in the semi-finals in three weeks time.

Leicester simply could not find any way through the home defence until it was virtually over with Isa Ncewa scoring Leinster’s only try an outstanding solo effort in the second half and replacement hooker Rob Hawkins crossing for the Tigers at the death.

It started as it then went on to the final whistle, the first bit of action a flowing Leinster attack with Nacewa the initiator taking play deep into the Leicester 22 and, when the Tigers went over the top at the ruck, referee Nigel Owens had no hesitation in penalising them.

With less than four minutes on the clock Jonny Sexton had the simplest of chances to open the scoring but the Tigers leveled immediately from the restart with Toby Flood on target with a tougher penalty from 40 metres.

This 11th Heineken Cup meeting between two of the former champions had got off to a frantic start, Sexton nudging the 2009 winners back in front with a quite extraordinary penalty in the 15th minute.

His kick from wide on the left first hit the right upright, bounced straight across to the left upright and bounced off that and over the crossbar.

That lifted the massive home support but they were left shaking their heads when Luke Fitzgerald lost possession when all the wing had to do was take the pass and score.

That let the Tigers off the hook and when they stormed down into the Leinster 22 they were, not for the first time, penalised for not releasing and Leinster were able to clear the danger.

A forward pass in another prime position cost Leicester again but while their scrum was proving a potent force Leinster stole line-out ball for hooker Richardt Strauss – later named Heineken man of the match – to charge away and put them on the front foot.

Sexton promptly kicked his third penalty to send Leinster in to the break 9-3 ahead of a fascinating contest that, while short on tries, was long on absorbing and hugely physical stuff in a marvellous atmosphere.

TV referee Derek Bevan was called on when powerhouse wing Alesana Tuilagi used his enourmous strength to force his way over after just two minutes of the second period only for it to end in a Leinster 22 drop out as the drama and intensity showed no signs of letting up.

Another Leinster line-out steal ultimately led to some brilliant individual play from Nacewa ending with the Fijian ace ensuring it was no longer a tryless affair as he stretched over, Sexton sending his conversion attempt wide but Leinster still going11 points clear after 50 minutes.

That advantage should have been immediately reduced by three points but Flood pushed his penalty chance wide and Leinster escaped any punishment.

Leicester refused to buckle, Flood almost through only to cough up the ball, as the pace of the match started to take its toll on tiring legs.

With timing running out for Leicester Sexton was on target with his fourth successful penalty in the 74th minute but the Tigers bounced back with Hawkins going over and Flood converting.

But it was too little too late to deny Leinster facing the winners of tomorrow’s all-French affair in San Sebastian between Biarritz and Toulouse in the last four.