Matt Scott described Friday night’s away win over ASM Clermont Auvergne as a “special memory” for he and his Leicester Tigers teammates, which included a double from the centre in the Heineken Champions Cup 29-44 win.
Speaking after the game, Scott said: “I think it’s just a really special memory for this group.”
“We have had a tough couple of weeks, on the end of some big scorelines, and not putting what we are doing at training out on the pitch.”
While setting a record against their French counterparts, a second 40+ effort over Clermont at their home ground for Tigers, Scott was quick to point out improvement was required in defence from he and his teammates.
“Look, it was better today but still not perfect - we conceded 29 points and, for us, that’s not good enough in defence,” he said.
“The boys just stuck in there, kept fighting for everything and survived attacks from them - with the crowd behind them - to send them away and kill off their momentum over and over again.
“Not many teams get to come here and experience how special a place this is and we’ve had that privilege twice, winning both. It’s very special for us as a group.”
“It’s a competition we want to do well in and we want to be playing knockout rugby, so to qualify after three rounds is a big positive and something we’re proud of as a group,” he said.
“But, we still have a game to go and won’t be taking it easy - that’s not what we are about.
“We’ll enjoy it and then come Monday we’ll get prepared for Ospreys, who are in a great form, next Friday night at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.”
The final pool stages fixture will be the first for Leicester at home in 2023 - and first at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in a month - which Scott admitted added extra excitement, while praising the effort from those in the stands who made the trip to France.
“All we can say is thank you to the Tigers fans, they are like nobody else,” Scott said.
“Every week they turn up for us, wherever in the world we are playing, and we try to do the same for them.
“It has been a while since we’ve all been together at home and so everyone is excited about being back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Friday night.”
The brace included an intercept in just the third minute, silencing Stade Marcel-Michelin, and a move straight from the training ground.
However, Scott said no try is ever down to the one dotting down at the end.
“Tonight was my night in terms of being the one who was in the right place or on the end of a brilliant effort from those lads alongside me,” said the Tigers centre.
“No try is ever done by one person and neither of mine were that tonight, it’s always about what your teammates are doing around you to create and then you have to repay them and finish well.
“But, yeah it is definitely nice to get across for a couple in such a memorable game. I’ll treasure this night, that’s for sure.”
The victory secures qualification for the next round of this season’s European campaign, with a game to go in the pool stages, and Scott admitted it would be something he and his fellow Tigers would celebrate - before getting back to work on Monday.
