Howard eyes treble

12 April 2012

Leicester boss Pat Howard targeted a trophy treble after the Tigers booked their place in the EDF Energy Cup final with a 29-19 victory over Sale at the Millennium Stadium.

The Tigers are also chasing silverware in the Guinness Premiership and next weekend face Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup quarter-finals.

And Howard said:"`We are on course for the treble and that is our goal. Everyone will get excited with that sort of thing but it will all be finished if we don't come up with a win next weekend."

He added: "It's not easy but we are going to try and fight on all three fronts because we are a big club and we want to have goals that are very high. That is where we stand."

Giant Samoan winger Alesana Tuilagi was man of the match after scoring a brilliant solo try from the half-way line and then creating another for Dan Hipkiss with a powerful run and deft offload.

It still took Leicester until the final quarter to shake off Sale, who remained in touch with scores from Sebastien Chabal and Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe. But replacement fly-half Andy Goode booted them clear to book a place in next month's Twickenham final.

The Tigers could, however, be without captain Martin Corry for the clash with Stade Francais after he suffered an elbow injury against Sale. Howard does not believe the injury will end Corry's season - but it leaves him doubt for next weekend.

"There is a chance he may not be right. It is very, very early. I don't think he is out for the season," said Howard.

Defeat ended Sale's hopes for Heineken Cup qualification and all their attention must now turn to the Premiership, where they have been sucked into the relegation mix. Boss Philippe Saint-Andre believes one victory would make them safe and the only silver lining in the defeat was a weekend off.

He said: "A week off will be best for my players to be physically and mentally fresh for the next league game against Leicester at home because we need to get some points. We need a minimum of one win from Leicester at home, Bath at home and Harlequins away."

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