Ospreys’ win – helped by Ireland star Tommy Bowe’s try - secured their Heineken Cup quarter final berth as one of the two best runners up.

But of more concern to Gatland will be the fitness of his star full-back who headed into the game with a lack of match fitness having missed Wales’ autumn international campaign with a foot injury.

Byrne limped off 12 minutes from time but his return to action sparked a controversial incident when the Ospreys had 16 men on the field.

His replacement Sonny Parker did not go off immediately and Leicester intend to make an official complaint to the ERC.

But Ospreys boss Scott Johnson preferred to dwell on the positives of his side’s performance.

He said: “We are glad to get out of this group.

"There is a great history in sport of sides being successful who come out of tough pools.

"The defence in the last 15 minutes was as tough as anything you would get in international rugby.

"The last two weeks (Ospreys have played Leicester and Clermont) have been of Test match intensity."