Tigers’ qualification for the last four with a thrilling 20-15 win over Bath Rugby at the Walkers Stadium on Saturday ensured England are the nation who have progressed further than France or Italy.
As a result, England have been allocated an extra place in next season’s competition and will have seven clubs competing.
France supplied seven clubs this season as a result of Toulouse contesting the 2008 final. However, the defeat of the triple champions by Cardiff Blues last Saturday left France without representation in the last four and Leicester's success against Bath secured the additional place for England.
Over the last six seasons the additional seventh place has now been won by France three times (2005/06; 2006/07 and 2008/09) and England three times (2004/05; 2007/08 and for next season's tournament kicking-off in the autumn).
The guaranteed allocation of teams for the Heineken Cup draw each summer for the composition of the six Pools of four teams each is:
England and France - Six (6) teams each
Ireland and Wales - Three (3) teams each
Scotland and Italy - Two (2) teams each
The winners of both the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup automatically qualify for the following season's Heineken Cup tournament and come out of their nation's allocation of teams.
The 24th Heineken Cup place is due to be decided by a play-off between the highest non-qualifying Magners League team and the third placed Italian Super 10 club.
