Leicester Tigers head coach Pat Howard says Sunday's win at Cardiff Blues has thrown Pool Four of the Heineken Cup "wide open". Tigers won 21-17 at the Millennium Stadium to move level with the Blues on five points - four ahead of Bourgoin and the same number behind Munster.
"It was a huge win," said Howard. "It was a massive game for the club."
Ollie Smith and Tom Varndell scored the Tigers tries, with fly-half Andy Goode adding a conversion and two penalties before Sam Vesty kicked an injury-time drop goal to seal the four points.
"I've watched Cardiff a couple of times this season and they are a good team, and for us to come here and win is a good win," said Howard.
"This pool is wide open. Munster are still in the box seat, and Munster against Cardiff is going to be a really interesting affair home and away. We've also got to go to Bourgoin and play well, and that is a tough place to go and win.
"But for us to come to Cardiff and win is a huge thing because they are quality opposition. I am proud of the guys, I am happy that they dug in and got the win. We showed a lot of character.
"But there is also some frustration that we made it so hard for ourselves and we didn't make the most of our opportunities."
Also of concern for Howard is a knee injury picked up by centre Ollie Smith in the closing moments of the first half. The centre had scored Leicester's first try, but was injured as he made a break through the Cardiff defence. The extent of Smith's injury will become clearer within the next 48 hours.
"It was a huge win," said Howard. "It was a massive game for the club."
Ollie Smith and Tom Varndell scored the Tigers tries, with fly-half Andy Goode adding a conversion and two penalties before Sam Vesty kicked an injury-time drop goal to seal the four points.
"I've watched Cardiff a couple of times this season and they are a good team, and for us to come here and win is a good win," said Howard.
"This pool is wide open. Munster are still in the box seat, and Munster against Cardiff is going to be a really interesting affair home and away. We've also got to go to Bourgoin and play well, and that is a tough place to go and win.
"But for us to come to Cardiff and win is a huge thing because they are quality opposition. I am proud of the guys, I am happy that they dug in and got the win. We showed a lot of character.
"But there is also some frustration that we made it so hard for ourselves and we didn't make the most of our opportunities."
Also of concern for Howard is a knee injury picked up by centre Ollie Smith in the closing moments of the first half. The centre had scored Leicester's first try, but was injured as he made a break through the Cardiff defence. The extent of Smith's injury will become clearer within the next 48 hours.
