Leinster maintain Champions Cup winning streak with victory over Leicester

Leinster have secured a bonus-point win in the Champions Cup, toppling Leicester 27-10 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The result means Leicester are left to play a waiting game in terms of reaching the knockout phase of tournament.

The Tigers needed a point to secure qualification from Pool Four, but their fate now rests on what happens in Sunday’s clash between Sale Sharks and La Rochelle.

Leinster, chasing a record-equalling fifth European title this season, fell 10 points behind to a Hanro Liebenberg try, with Handre Pollard kicking a conversion and penalty.

But the Irish heavyweights soon found a familiar rhythm, taking charge through tries from lock Joe McCarthy, wing Jordan Larmour and hooker Dan Sheehan, while Harry Byrne added two conversions and a penalty.

Caelan Doris’ late try secured a bonus-point as Leinster ended the group-stage with four wins out of four and secured a round of 16 tie on home soil in Dublin later this season.

Leicester shaded the early sparring as both sides jostled for territory, and they deservedly went ahead through a 10th-minute try.

Number eight Jasper Wiese made initial headway, and with Leinster regrouping in defence, Tigers centre Dan Kelly surged into space and sent a scoring pass to Liebenberg.

Pollard converted from the touchline, and he increased Leicester’s lead midway through the half by kicking a 50-metre penalty after Sheehan infringed.

Leinster, though, underlined their enviable European pedigree by drawing level through a 10-point burst in six minutes.

Byrne opened their account with a penalty, and as Tigers came under mounting pressure, McCarthy crashed over from close range and Byrne’s conversion tied things.

Leicester then lost Wales flanker Tommy Reffell for a head