AMATORI & CALVISANO 22 LEICESTER 40

Defending champions Leicester Tigers continued on their quest for a Heineken Cup treble as they qualified for the quarter-finals thanks to a win at the Centro Sportivo san Michele.

Harry Ellis scored two tries - but blotted his copybook with a late yellow card - and wing Tim Stimpson kicked 15 points for the visitors, who would have been surprised at the performance of the Italian minnows.

In a David and Goliath battle, Amatori & Calvisano put up a good fight, and were within 10 points after 70 minutes.

Veteran Italian winger Paolo Vaccari scored a hat-trick he will long remember. He breached the away defence three times in 20 minutes in a second half-fightback that will have worried Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards.

But the Tigers forwards turned stepped up a gear the final minutes to see them through. Replacement Tigers prop Franck Tournaire was pushed over for a try to put the result beyond doubt.

The win secures Leicester's place in the quarter-finals play, but they need a win over Neath in the final round to ensure a home quarter-final.

Amatori & Calvisano: Tries - P Vaccari 3; Cons - G Fraser 2; Pen - G Fraser

Leicester Tigers: Tries - H Ellis 2, G Chuter, S Booth, T Stimpson, F Tournaire; Cons - T Stimpson 5