Ospreys 17 - 12 Leicester: Ospreys' victory tainted by 16th player blunder

LEICESTER last night lodged an official protest with tournament chiefs after their Heineken Cup exit was overshadowed by a 16th player blunder at the Liberty Stadium.

The Tigers' defeat against the Ospreys meant they crashed out of Europe behind group winners Clermont Auvergne and the Welsh side, who both progress into this season's quarter-finals. But the Ospreys briefly had 16 players on the pitch when their Wales and Lions full-back Lee Byrne went back on after going off nursing a bloodied foot.

Chaos ensued on the touchline while referee Alan Lewis rectified the situation, but not before the Ospreys had played for about a minute with 16 players.

Leicester chief executive Peter Wheeler and chairman Peter Tom confirmed a complaint had been made to European Rugby Cup, but it is understood tournament rules mean the result of the match cannot be affected.

England were fined a five-figure sum during the 2003 World Cup when Dan Luger briefly appeared as a 16th player during their group victory over Samoa in Melbourne. And that would be the likely punishment for the Ospreys if ERC rule against them. During Byrne's second-half appearance as a 16th player he was involved in helping to thwart a menacing Leicester attack sparked by their scrum-half Ben Youngs.

Leicester's defeat ensures an all-time low for English teams in European club rugby's blue riband competition. Only one Guinness Premiership side will contest this season's quarter-finals.

That represents the worst performance by English clubs in the 14 seasons they have challenged for Heineken silverware.

Wing Tommy Bowe's first-half try helped send the Ospreys through as one of two best runners-up, but Leicester missed out in Pool 3 as current French Championship leaders Clermont Auvergne took top spot.

Dan Biggar sealed the Ospreys' victory with three penalties and a drop-goal, leaving Leicester high and dry despite a Jeremy Staunton drop-goal and three Toby Flood penalties.

The Ospreys were not to be denied, despite an injury concern over their Wales and Lions star Byrne. He limped off 12 minutes from time, and although he returned to the action shortly afterwards, it was enough to trouble Wales coach Warren Gatland just two weeks before the RBS 6 Nations opener against England at Twickenham.

It also concerned Leicester, as the Ospreys briefly appeared to have 16 players on the pitch before Byrne went back off and then reappeared again, this time instead of Biggar. The Ospreys held on during a frenzied finale that saw Leicester throw everything at their opponents in a desperate attempt to stay alive in Europe. But the Welsh side survived, breathing a collective sigh of relief when Tigers substitute Aaron Mauger knocked on just five metres from the Ospreys' line.