Leicester reached their fourth successive Premiership final after a thrilling 26-25 play-off semi-final victory against Gloucester on Sunnday.

Fly-half Andy Goode's injury-time drop-goal sent Tigers through to play Wasps at Twickenham on May 31 after full-back Willie Walker had inched the home side ahead at Kingsholm.

Gloucester, despite topping the regular 22-game Premiership season for a third time in six seasons, once again blew it as Leicester became the first side in the six-year history of the play-offs to record an away victory.

Ryan Lamb looked to have put himself in pole position to replace Danny Cipriani, who suffered a serious ankle injury in Wasps' win over Bath earlier in the day, on England's New Zealand tour next month by inspiring Gloucester to the brink of victory.

Lamb kicked 17 points, while Leicester were reduced to 13 men in the first half after number eight Jordan Crane and scrum-half Harry Ellis were sin-binned in quick succession.

But second-half tries from wing Alesana Tuilagi and centre Aaron Mauger ensured the visitors made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the home side.

Although Gloucester were some way below their best, Lamb - on his 22nd birthday - appeared to have done enough.

He kicked four first-half penalties, and then landed another after the break before converting Simpson-Daniel's slick 57th-minute try.

Gloucester suffered a late injury setback when England centre Mike Tindall suffered a recurrence of ankle trouble during the warm-up. Tindall was replaced at outside centre by James Simpson-Daniel, with Iain Balshaw moving to the wing and Willie Walker lining up at full-back.

Lamb opened Gloucester's account by slotting a fifth-minute penalty, but Leicester quickly showed they had not arrived merely to make up the numbers.

Goode landed an equalising strike six minutes later, and the visitors enjoyed a spell of supremacy despite Lamb's second successful kick edging Gloucester 6-3 ahead.

Lamb's third penalty gave Gloucester a degree of breathing space after Tigers forward Crane was sin-binned for killing possession.

Lamb's fifth kick at goal rebounded off the post, yet Leicester were reduced to 13 men when Ellis received a yellow card for deliberate offside.

The visitors desperately tried to hang on as half-time approached, but yet another Tigers infringement allowed Lamb his next chance, which he gratefully accepted, making it 12-3.

Goode cut the gap to six points when he found his range from 45 metres early in the second period, then Gloucester were rocked by a Tuilagi try that Goode converted to set up a nailbiting final quarter.

At 15-13 ahead, Gloucester found themselves under escalating pressure, and they still could not relax when Simpson-Daniel struck.

Aaron Mauger profited from poor work by Lamb and Balshaw, pouncing in the shadow of Gloucester's posts. Goode converted and then struck a penalty that edged Tigers ahead for the first time.

Lamb missed a touchline penalty six minutes from time, and then it was case of all hands to the pump.

Walker slotted a drop-goal, but deep into injury-time Goode matched him and Leicester stole a remarkable one-point triumph.

AFP

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