Leicester's Freddie Tuilagi on the charge

Referee David McHugh had no option but to send the second row to the sin-bin for 10 minutes.

And to compound Leicester's misery further, Jones successfully kicked the resulting penalty to double Llanelli's lead.

But the reigning champions responded in typical fashion when Stimpson levelled proceedings with two penalties - the second coming after relentless pressure on the Llanelli line.

Jones reclaimed the lead for the Welsh side when he kicked his third penalty of the half after Leicester were caught off-side.

But the fly half's fine work with the boot was undone when an off-the-ball altercation with Johnson resulted in a Leicester penalty, kicked over by Stimpson for a 9-9 score at half-time.

Dean Richard's half-time talk made an immediate impression as his side began to impose their authority.

Leicester pressure

Indeed, Llanelli had substitute Neil Boobyer - on for the injured Wayne Proctor - and Robin McBryde to thank for two potentially try-saving tackles.

Boobyer stopped an onrushing Freddie Tuilagi 20 metres from the Llanelli line when it looked certain the Samoan would score the first try of the match.

And as the ball was efficiently recycled by the Leicester forwards, hooker McBryde then stopped Andy Goode in tracks with just metres to go.

But persistent Leicester pressure eventually paid dividends when Llanelli were caught off-side.

Stimpson kicked over what proved to be the decisive penalty, giving Leicester their first victory in Europe this season.

Leicester: Pens: T Stimpson (4)

Llanelli: Pens: Jones (3)

Leicester: Stimpson, Booth, Gelderbloom, Kafer, Tuilagi, Goode, Healey, Rowntree, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, Moody, Back, Corry.
Replacements: Chuter, Smith, Deacon, Nebbett, Ellis, Naylor, W. Johnson.

Llanelli: B. Davies, Proctor, Cardey, L. Davies, Finau, S. Jones, G. Easterby, Madden, McBryde, J. Davies, Gross, Wyatt, D. Jones, S. Easterby, Hodges.
Replacements: John, M. Thomas, Cooper, Morgan, Peel, G. Bowen, I. Boobyer.

Referee: D. McHugh (RFU)