LEICESTER AIM FOR EUROPE

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Jordan Crane says Leicester Tigers must build on Saturday’s Guinness Premiership triumph and mount a strong challenge in the Heineken Cup next season.

Tigers’ failure to qualify for the quarter-finals of Europe this season was the only real disappointment of a campaign which proved again that they are still the kings of English rugby.

While they have been in two recent finals, losing to Wasps and Leinster, they have not won the big one since the second of back-to-back crowns under Dean Richards in 2002.

Now Crane feels Tigers can address that, despite the loss of some quality players who are moving to other clubs.

“Lewis Moody is a big loss, Ben Kay is retiring, and Sam Vesty, Brett Deacon and Mefin Davies are leaving,” he said.

“They are good players, but we have to build. The character in this Leicester side is great and, if we don’t do the same next season, it will be a disappointing season.