The Tigers, already decimated by injuries, lost four more key players before kick-off and found themselves 26-8 down late in the first half.

The Ospreys had stormed ahead with tries from Shane Williams and Tommy Bowe, plus a faultless kicking performance from teenage fly-half Dan Biggar, who finished with 22 points.

Leicester’s changing room may have resembled a scene from MASH, but nothing could damage their age-old fighting spirit as the Tigers mounted a dramatic comeback.

Man of the match Billy Twelvetrees added to Johne Murphy’s early try, before Argentinian winger Lucas Amorosino and then Jeremy Staunton earned the Tigers a share of the spoils and a four-try bonus point.

Leicester have not lost at Welford Road in more than a year, and the Ospreys will be kicking themselves at letting such a golden opportunity slip through their fingers.