Leicester, outplayed and outmuscled against Harlequins last week, returned to form to defeat Pau at the Stade de Hameau.

The win virtually assures the Premiership champions of a place in the last eight of the Heineken Cup.

That will be assured if they avoid defeat the bottom club, Galsgow Caledonians, at Home next week.

The Tigers, still licking their wounds after the mauling by Quins, took out their frustration on Pau and failed to let them settle.

England flanker Neil Back gave the English club reward for their pressure when he crossed in the corner from a maul.

Pau upped their commitment but had their attacks blunted by a resilient Tigers defence.

Despite wave after wave of Pau surges, the Tigers held firm and Stimpson extended their lead with a Stimpson penalty.

After the break Pau became increasingly more frustrated by the pressure but could not convert their possession into points.

Fly-half Andy Goode added two drop goal and Stimspon kicked a late penalty to seal the Leicester win.

Pau: Brusque, Bomati, Cistacq, Traille, Cambres, Arrieta, Carbonneau, Larrouy, Rey, Bria, Charron, Chasseriau, Mallier, Agueb, Harinordoquy. Replacements: Bonnemasou, Triep-Capdeville, Etchegaray, Lagouarde, Combes, Paille, Arbo.

Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Smith, Howard, Tuilagi, Goode, Healey, Rowntree, West, Garforth, Corry, Kay, Moody, Back, W. Johnson. Replacements: Cockerill, Freshwater, Jelley, Balding, Deacon, Lloyd, Grindal.

Referee: A Lewis (IRFU)