The absence of Brian O’Driscoll means Keith Earls looks set to take the centre berth, leaving a wing spot available, with Trimble now in pole position to claim it.

Ulster built on Trimble’s first-half double as they put the Tigers to the sword, with South African international Ruan Pienaar imperious.

Leicester were still in the game at the break thanks to Geordan Murphy’s try, they trailed 18-7.

But they fell apart in the second half with Paul Marshall and Craig Gilroy crossing late on to hand Ulster the bonus point and give them a great chance of qualification ahead of a trip to Clermont next week.

Captain Johann Muller said: “That was definitely one of our best performances in terms of taking our chances and the passion we showed."

“Ravenhill is always a good place for us to play, and the atmosphere tonight was outstanding. The boys delivered a great performance.

“We said at half-time that the bonus point was on, and it was about being patient. We knew it might take 81 or 82 minutes, and the boys never stopped.

“But it doesn't mean anything unless we get some points in Clermont. We have to make sure we do what we have to do.”

England’s Ben Youngs was instrumental for Murphy’s try but struggled behind a beaten pack, while Tom Croft was quiet.

Elsewhere the Ospreys kept their slim qualification hopes alive with a 44-17 win over Treviso, centre Ashley Beck making a case for being part of Warren Gatland’s Six Nations plans with two tries.

Ireland’s Tommy Bowe also got in on the act, with Italy scrum-half Edoardo Gori crossing for the visitors.

In the other game Edinburgh produced a last-gasp drop goal to beat Racing-Metro 27-24 in Paris and keep themselves on course for a first quarter-final berth in eight years.

Phil Godman scored the decisive drop goal after David Denton, Ross Rennie and Netani Talei had scored the tries for Edinburgh.