Telusa Veainu dives over for one of six Leicester tries. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Leicester Tigers 41
Stade Francais 13
FREDDIE BURNS NOTCHED up 16 points as he led Leicester to a 41-13 European Cup quarter-final victory over Stade Francais to set up a mouthwatering last-four clash against either Racing 92 or Toulon.
The Tigers built up a healthy 24-6 first-half lead thanks to three tries from England centre Manu Tuilagi, Fijian winger Niki Goneva and Burns.
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Stade hit back when scrum-half Julien Dupuy scored a five-pointer for the reigning French league champions early in the second half.
But any hopes of a serious comeback by the Parisian club that currently sits 12th in the Top 14 was put to rest when Goneva crossed for his second.
Flanker Mike Fitzgerald went over for Leicester’s fifth try, with 20 minutes to play, after being fed by an unselfish Goneva.
The game was put out of sight when Tongan winger Telusa Veainu streaked over in the corner to ensure a first semi-final appearance for the Tigers since 2009.
Leicester, winners of the European Cup in 2001 and 2002, will now play the winners of the day’s late kick-off between Racing 92 and defending champions Toulon, bidding for an unprecedented fourth straight European crown.
The other all-English semi-final was set on Saturday after Saracens posted a 29-20 victory over Northampton and Wasps saw off Exeter 25-24.
Six-try Leicester power past Stade Francais into the Champions Cup semis
Leicester Tigers 41
Stade Francais 13
FREDDIE BURNS NOTCHED up 16 points as he led Leicester to a 41-13 European Cup quarter-final victory over Stade Francais to set up a mouthwatering last-four clash against either Racing 92 or Toulon.
The Tigers built up a healthy 24-6 first-half lead thanks to three tries from England centre Manu Tuilagi, Fijian winger Niki Goneva and Burns.
Stade hit back when scrum-half Julien Dupuy scored a five-pointer for the reigning French league champions early in the second half.
But any hopes of a serious comeback by the Parisian club that currently sits 12th in the Top 14 was put to rest when Goneva crossed for his second.
Flanker Mike Fitzgerald went over for Leicester’s fifth try, with 20 minutes to play, after being fed by an unselfish Goneva.
The game was put out of sight when Tongan winger Telusa Veainu streaked over in the corner to ensure a first semi-final appearance for the Tigers since 2009.
Leicester, winners of the European Cup in 2001 and 2002, will now play the winners of the day’s late kick-off between Racing 92 and defending champions Toulon, bidding for an unprecedented fourth straight European crown.
The other all-English semi-final was set on Saturday after Saracens posted a 29-20 victory over Northampton and Wasps saw off Exeter 25-24.
- © AFP, 2016
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European Rugby Cup Final Four Leicester Tigers Stade Français