Tigers dumped out of Heineken Cup

Leicester crashed out of the Heineken Cup following a 17-12 defeat at Ospreys - and ensured an all-time low for English teams in European club rugby's blue riband competition.

Only one Guinness Premiership side - Northampton or London Irish - will contest this season's quarter-finals. That represents the worst performance by English clubs in the 14 seasons they have challenged for Heineken silverware.

Wing Tommy Bowe's first-half try helped send the Ospreys through as one of two best runners-up, but Leicester missed out in Pool Three as current French Championship leaders Clermont Auvergne took top spot.

Dan Biggar sealed the Ospreys' victory with three penalties and a drop-goal, leaving Leicester high and dry despite a Jeremy Staunton drop-goal and three Toby Flood penalties.

The Ospreys, who now face a possible quarter-final away to Irish giants Munster or Leinster, were not to be denied, despite an injury concern over their Wales and Lions star Lee Byrne.

Byrne limped off 12 minutes from time, and although he returned to the action shortly afterwards, it was enough to trouble Wales coach Warren Gatland just two weeks before the RBS 6 Nations opener against England at Twickenham.

The Ospreys held on during a frenzied finale that saw Leicester throw everything at their opponents in a desperate attempt to stay alive in Europe.