Cockerill's Tigers are a special breed

Richard Cockerill believes his Leicester Tigers side are on their way to creating their own slice of European Cup history at Welford Road after knocking-out four times winners Toulouse to clinch top spot in Pool Two.

The reward for the Tigers and their fans is a trip to Top 14 leaders Toulon in the quarterfinals and a win at Stade Felix Mayol would set-up an away semifinal against the winners of the game between Saracens and Ulster.

"This club has a rich history and there is a lot said about players in other eras. But this team wants to make its own history and this team knocked Toulouse out of the European Cup," Cockerill said.

"We won a really tough pool and the players should be congratulated for that. We should get some credit for that. The effort at the end, those last two minutes with the crowd on their feet, they are magic moments. It was a game when it was almost easier to play without the ball.

"They missed some kicks at goal and, to be fair to Toby Flood, he kicked that one just before half-time to give us a nine-point cushion."

Tigers skipper Louis Deacon was quick to thank the pack house of 26,000 at Welford Road for their support throughout a game that was played with snow still lying on the pitch, as well as falling from the sky.

"It was absolutely freezing out there. We had to dig deep towards the end - fair play to the lads," said Deacon.

"We needed it, we were at home and we don't lose many at home. The crowd was absolutely amazing, they backed us all the way, and we probably wanted it more in the end."