Archie Vanes weathers the storm and sickness after crossing for a hat-trick during Leicester’s battling win over Stade Francais… with victory all but guaranteeing Tigers a last-16 spot

Archie Vanes crossed for a hat-trick as Leicester withstood late pressure from Stade Francais to seal a battling win in the Champions Cup.

The triumph, which came thanks to a long-range Jamie Shillcock penalty, helped the Tigers extend their unbeaten record in pool four.

Shillcock finished with 12 points from the boot, while the Paris side’s tries came from Mathieu Hirigoyen, Charles Laloi and Leo Barre.

Leicester fashioned a 14-7 lead at half-time through European debutant Vane’s first two tries, both of which were converted by Shillcock.

That was despite the English team’s temporary reduction to 14 men after a yellow card for Charlie Atkinson.

The hosts seized the momentum at the start of the second half, Laloi crossing in the corner within a minute. Hooker Vanes’ third try helped Leicester edge back in front though with 54 minutes on the clock.

Stade Francais refused to give up and appeared to have gained the momentum again when they scored to level things up with 20 minutes to go.

But Shillcock’s brilliant penalty nudged Leicester back in front and they withstood some fierce pressure from the home side, including holding them up over the line, in the closing stages.

That was despite again having to play a man short after Mike Brown’s yellow card.

Tigers are now almost guaranteed to progress, with the top four sides qualifying automatically

Vanes said: ‘The best thing is that the team won. I scored three tries, two on the back of a maul – so that’s a team try – and one I got the tip from Sam Carter to go over.’

The 22-year-old watched the end of proceedings from the sidelines and added: ‘I was actually throwing up because my lungs were killing me!

‘It was nail-biting stuff, but I knew the lads on the pitch were going to do it and they did.’

Tigers are now almost guaranteed to reach the last 16, with the top four teams from the pool qualifying automatically. Their final two pool matches next month see them travel to La Rochelle and host Leinster.