Munster stunned at Thomond

Munster 6 Leicester 13:Leicester created Heineken Cup history as they marched into the quarter-finals by stunning European champions Munster at Thomond Park tonight.

Munster, who also qualify for the knockout phase as one of two best runners-up, suffered their first Heineken Cup defeat in Limerick.

But the holders could have few complaints after tries in each half by full-back Geordan Murphy and centre Ollie Smith ensured a prolonged Tigers roar.

Fly-half Ian Humphreys added a penalty - he missed both conversions and another penalty strike in miserable conditions for goalkickers - while Ronan O'Gara booted Munster's points.

Leicester, European champions in 2001 and 2002, also secured a home quarter-final draw - possibly against French Championship leaders Stade Francais - after achieving mission improbable.

The elements did their utmost to blow Leicester away - a gusting wind and driving rain - but Martin Corry's men were never deflected from their task.

Corry and his fellow forwards were immense, with flanker Lewis Moody and prop Martin Castrogiovanni producing inspirational performances, and Tigers' 2,000-strong travelling band of supporters began wild celebrations after their heroes weathered a late storm.

Leicester suffered a late injury blow when their New Zealand centre Daryl Gibson withdrew because of a back problem. He was replaced in Tigers' midfield by Ollie Smith, but Humphreys shrugged off fitness troubles that forced an early exit against Cardiff Blues last Saturday.

Munster looked to sign off in style at Thomond Park before the ground's redevelopment doubled capacity to 26,000 - work is due for completion in 2008 - and they targeted a 26th successive Heineken Cup victory in Limerick.

Munster had already clinched a quarter-final place for the ninth successive European campaign, while they also boasted a record run of 13 wins in a row stretching back more than two years, which underlined the magnitude of Leicester's task.

Conditions were inevitably blustery in south-west Ireland, but Leicester started confidently as Humphreys hoisted his team 3-0 ahead following a menacing midfield break by centre Dan Hipkiss.

Munster had their moments early on, but O'Gara sent a 50-metre penalty sailing wide before he made amends on 21 minutes from close range after wing John Kelly was forced off injured to be replaced by Tomas O'Leary.

Leicester though, maintained a healthy appetite for the battle, and they stunned Munster with a well-worked score created by Italian prop Castrogiovanni's midfield charge.

Munster struggled to contain his power, but when he was eventually hauled to ground, Tigers had plenty of attacking numbers and Moody delivered a scoring pass for Murphy.

Humphreys failed to add the extras, yet Leicester held a deserved 8-3 advantage well inside the second quarter.

O'Gara reduced the deficit through a long-range penalty with the final kick of a lively opening period, yet Leicester, with the wind at their backs after half-time, maintained pole position.

Munster introduced their Heineken Cup-winning captain Anthony Foley within 10 minutes of the restart - hooker Jerry Flannery joined him in a double switch - which confirmed rugby director Declan's Kidney concern that Leicester continued controlling the key areas.

Murphy remained a threat to the Munster defence on rare occasions when possession spilled out from the forward skirmishes, yet a missed Humphreys penalty on 56 minutes provided the home side with a let-off.

Munster looked to have created a position from which to strike five minutes later, but after skipper Paul O'Connell sacrificed a kickable penalty for a scrum, Leicester's eight admirably soaked up the pressure and denied their hosts.

And things soon deteriorated for the home side when crisp Leicester passing created an opening for Smith, with the try awarded after French referee Joel Jutge required video assistance.

Munster, inevitably, went for broke during the closing minutes, but Leicester held on as the home side saw Foley limp off suffering from what appeared to be a serious knee injury.

As Foley departed the action, so Munster's proud Thomond Park record went with him.