Tigers knocked off top spot

Former European champions Leicester surrendered their unbeaten record in this season's Heineken Cup, and their position at the top of Pool Four, to Clermont Auvergne following a 30-12 defeat.

Leicester scored the first try of the game through Ben Youngs, but scrum-half Morgan Parra calmed the home side's nerves when he slotted over his second and third penalties to reclaim the lead before Julien Malzieu crashed over with Parra converting to make it 16-5 at half-time.

Clermont turned the screw when impressive centre Wesley Fofana crossed for the French side's second try midway through the second half. Fofana rubbed salt into the wounds with his second try (with Parra converting both) before the visitors were awarded a consolation penalty try after Clermont collapsed a scrum in the shadow of their own posts.

Holders Leinster took a giant stride towards this season's quarter-finals with an 18-13 win at Bath, who are now facing an early European exit.

Ireland fly-half Jonathan Sexton kicked six penalties - three during a 15-minute spell in the second period - while his two clinching goals arrived during the closing seven minutes. Bath went close to collecting one of their most notable Heineken Cup scalps in recent seasons when England wing Matt Banahan barged over from close range after 65 minutes.

Centre Olly Barkley, who slotted two first-half penalties for a 6-0 lead, added the conversion to edge Bath one point in front, but Sexton nudged Leinster towards a priceless Pool Three away win when home skipper Francois Louw infringed.

And to complete a miserable two-minute spell for South African Louw, he was then sin-binned as Bath ended the game a man short.

Glasgow Warriors maintained their pursuit of Leinster in Pool Three with a 20-15 victory over Montpellier at Firhill.

It was an attritional affair in the first of the French double-header which Glasgow had to win to have any hope of overhauling defending European champions Leinster, who defeated Bath, at the top of the standings.

Duncan Weir kicked four penalties before Ruaridh Jackson was called up for the final 23 minutes. Scotland fly-half Jackson slotted a fifth penalty with 12 minutes remaining before Federico Aramburu scored a try six minutes from time. Eric Escande and Masi Matadigo crossed over for Montpellier, while Martin Bustos Moyano added five points from his boot.