Leicester’s head coach hailed his young squad’s commitment and leadership as they took a 19-point lead into Saturday’s Round of 16 second leg at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The victory was even more impressive, considering Leicester had to play the last 20 minutes with 14 men after Guy Porter was red-carded after clashing heads with Clermont No.8 Fritz Lee off the ball.

Borthwick told the club website: “What I am feeling right now, so soon after full-time, is pride.

“I am so proud of the players. I think they showed enormous heart, enormous spirit this afternoon and I just thanked them in the changing room for that.

“They dealt and adapted excellently with setbacks that happened on the pitch, including being down a man for the last 20 minutes.

“It was tremendous, up against such a quality opposition in a hostile environment like it is here in Clermont.”

England scrum-half Ben Youngs was a late withdrawal for Leicester due to illness, which further reduced their experience on the field.

Borthwick said: “That was another challenge, yes, but I thought Jack van Poortvliet was excellent and we’re blessed to have the experience of Richard Wigglesworth, George Ford and Freddie Burns as half-backs at Tigers.

“The average appearances in the starting side today was around 50 games for Leicester, but the average age was only 24 years old and I think that shows how early on this journey we are as a group.

“We have guys, young guys, who are still having to learn - and learn fast - out there on the pitch on game day.”

This was just Leicester’s second victory in Clermont, and a first in 17 years, but despite their lead Borthwick stressed that the tie was “far, far from over”.

Borthwick said: “There is still 80 minutes to play and, as we saw today, it is up against a top-quality side in Clermont.

“The focus now goes to next Saturday’s game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and making sure we prepare well enough during the week to put in a performance in the second leg that will make our supporters proud.”

Steve Borthwick was full of pride after Leicester Tigers took a giant stride towards the Heineken Champions Cup quarter-finals with a 29-10 victory at ASM Clermont Auvergne.