Toby Flood kicked the Tigers points with three penalties while the team’s defensive performance in bitterly cold conditions helped secure the victory that guaranteed top spot in Pool 2.
Parling put in a determined display in the second row alongside Heineken Man-of-the-Match Louis Deacon, including a lineout steal on the Tigers line seconds from full-time.
“It was just a chance,” said Parling, of his lineout steal. “They’ve got a good team but I managed to slap it down and Deacs managed to dive on it.
“I thought one of the differences this week over last week was that last week they were winning those 50/50 balls where as this week, any sort of slap balls from lineout, any balls on the floor, any balls in the air, I thought our hunger to get those balls was outstanding and that was probably the difference between the two teams.
“We knuckled down – the fans, the coaches, the players – and we ground out a great victory and we’re really pleased.”
The victory in front of a 24,000 capacity crowd at Welford Road set up a trip to Toulon in the last eight and Parling says Tigers are already looking forward to the challenge.
“Hopefully there will different conditions, we would expect that over there,” he said. “Look they’re a good team but we’re a good team as well. I know we’re going away from home but you know what, we’ve got a good record in Europe and we’re a good team and we’re really looking forward to the test.”
