Varndell hails fighting Tigers

Tom Varndell has paid tribute to his side after Leicester came from behind to defeat Gloucester and book their place in the Guinness Premiership Final.

Tom Varndell has paid tribute to his side after Leicester came from behind to defeat Gloucester and book their place in the Guinness Premiership Final.

The speedy finisher was not on the Tigers' score-sheet in the last-gasp 26-25 win at Kingsholm, but remained delighted to have reignited what has been a tough season for the league holders.

“That's pretty incredible after all the negatives that have come out over the last two weeks,” he said, speaking to the Leicester Mercury.

“We came out fighting and it was brilliant.

“Our discipline was not at its best in the first-half and we gave away too many penalties. But (Gloucester) did not get away from us.''

The late-surging Leicester men went in at the break trailing 12-3 after sustaining a barrage of Gloucester attacks in the opening 40 minutes.

However, following the interval the momentum seemed to swing in the favour of Marcelo Loffreda's outfit as victory was claimed in dramatic drop-goal fashion.

“In the second-half, the gap was only two scores and we always believed we could do it,'' Varndell added.

“It's not good for the fans' hearts. But we went out with all guns blazing and everyone stepped up to the mark.

“We owed them one. They know how to win big games and Gloucester have some fantastic players.

“But we put in a very good performance and now we look forward to meeting Wasps.''