BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | European | Tigers still hungry, warns Johnson



By Jonathan Moore BBC Sport Online, Millennium Stadium

Martin Johnson warned Leicester's Heineken Cup rivals not to expect any let up next season, after his side claimed back-to-back Heineken Cup victories in Cardiff on Saturday.

The Tigers edged out the Irish giants 15-9 in a tense encounter at the Millennium Stadium.

Tigers retain European Cup

And Leicester skipper Johnson was adamant that they would not give up the trophy without a fight.

"There's no reason why we can't give it another go next season," he said. "Why not make it three?

"We'll certainly try. We need to retain the squad and keep the momentum going."

We were fortunate today. Munster are an outstanding side and there is no doubt that their day will come

Dean Richards

The Tigers claimed the European Cup last season with a 34-30 win over Stade Francais, but Johnson said there were few similarities between the two games.

"Going to Paris as underdogs was very different," Johnson said.

"More was expected of us this season and the guys have done an amazing job.

"I think the line-out was key today. And that's down to Martin Corry and Ben Kay - who both played superbly."

Leicester director of rugby Dean Richards refused to criticise Neil Back for controversially knocking the ball out of Peter Stringer's hands at the game's final scrum.

Back: 'I did what I had to do'

"I don't have a problem with it," he said. "Is it any different to (Munster prop) Peter Clohessy lying over the ball for the whole game?

"It's gamesmanship. If you're going to call him a cheat then you'd have to call everyone who gave away a penalty during the whole game a cheat."

"I'm just delighted with the result. The boys were superb. All credit to the players they've done a great job.

Leicester Tigers' Geordan Murphy
Geordan Murphy basks in the glory at the Millennium Stadium`

"We were fortunate today. Munster are an outstanding side and there is no doubt that their day will come."

Tigers try-hero Austin Healey, who touched over mid-way through the second period to give Leicester a timely lead, admitted he owed the side a big game.

"I was lucky to be selected," he said. "I've not been playing well and there are no excuses.

"So I went out there and gave it everything. It would have been a long summer if we'd lost."

Munster captain Mick Galwey refused to criticise Leicester flanker Back, whose actions led to his side losing possession in the dying moments of the game.

"The referee didn't see it," Galwey said. "Sometimes things go your way, sometimes they don't.

"They scored two tries and we didn't score one, so in my book that makes them worthy winners.

"It's desperately disappointing obviously and if we had got that try things could have been different. But we didn't"


	Links to more European stories