Leicester ensured that they ended the Aviva Premiership league phase at the top of the pile with a 32-23 win over London Irish.
Irish led 23-8 with just eleven minutes to play, before Tigers crossed the line four times in the closing stages to complete a remarkable victory.
The Tigers were the first on the board through Toby Flood's fourth-minute penalty, but Irish were soon level as full-back Tom Homer slotted one of his own to tie the scores.
And Irish were soon in front. Wing Topsy Ojo dived over the line in the 16th minute for his ninth try of the season. Homer added the extras to give the away side a seven-point advantage.
Leicester hit back with a try of their own as wing Matt Smith touched down after 20 minutes, but Flood could not add the extra two points. And his miss was soon pounced on by London Irish, as Homer slotted over another three points.
Irish carried on their dominance in the early stages of the second half and Ojo went over for his second try of the afternoon. Homer carried on his impressive kicking display to add the extras to give his side a 20-8 lead, and then added another three points in the 65th minute.
With eleven minutes left on the clock, the comeback began. Horacio Aguilla went over before Anthony Allen added a second in the 74th minute.
Flood added one of the two conversions to move the Tigers to within three points. Tom Croft then put the Tigers in front, before Alesana Tuilagi scored his 12th try of the campaign to seal victory and first place for Leicester.
The scorers:
For Leicester:
Tries: Smith, Agulla, Croft, Allen, Tuilagi
Cons: Flood (2)
Pens: Flood
For London Irish:
Tries: Ojo (2)
Cons: Homer (2) Homer
Pens: Homer (3)
Leicester: 15 Scott Hamilton, 14 Matt Smith, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Toby Flood, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Craig Newby (capt), 6 Tom Croft, 5 George Skivington, 4 Ed Slater, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Rob Hawkins, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Steve Mafi, 20 Ben Woods, 21 James Grindal, 22 Jeremy Staunton, 23 Horacio Agulla.
London Irish: 15 Tom Homer, 14 Topsy Ojo, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 Adam Thompstone, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Paul Hodgson, 8 Richard Thorpe, 7 Steffon Armitage, 6 Jamie Gibson, 5 Bob Casey, 4 Nick Kennedy, 3 Faan Rautenbach, 2 David Paice, 1 Clarke Dermody (capt).
Replacements: 16 James Buckland, 17 Alex Corbisiero, 18 Max Lahiff, 19 Gary Johnson, 20 Chris Hala'ufia, 21 Elvis Seveali'i, 22 Chris Malone, 23 Darren Allinson.
Referee: Greg Garner
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