England star Austin Healey scored a try in the fifth minute of injury time as champions Leicester got their Zurich Premiership campaign off to a heart-stopping start at Loftus Road.

The Tigers led 17-3 just before half-time, but then inexplicably conceded 19 unanswered points as Wasps were inspired by their Scottish international goalkicker Kenny Logan.

Logan kicked late penalties to give Wasps an unlikely five-point lead in injury time, but Healey cropped up from nowhere to claim a vital touchdown between the posts.

Full-back Tim Stimpson converted with the game's final kick, and Leicester's season was underway in winning fashion.

Wasps, though, even without their injured captain Lawrence Dallaglio, gave as good as they got during the closing stages, but victory slipped between their fingers.

They collected a bonus point for finishing within seven points of Leicester, yet that will be no consolation after seeing Healey and Stimpson stage their spectacular smash and grab raid.

The Tigers, seeking a hat-trick of Premiership titles, started like champions in the Loftus Road sunshine, claiming two cracking tries.

After Stimpson and Logan exchanged early penalties - both players doing their jobs well within the new one-minute restriction - Leicester enjoyed a 20-minute purple patch orchestrated by Healey.

He started the game at scrum-half, from where he rounded off a brilliant Leicester move, but then switched to fly-half - his club position last season - when Andy Goode limped off.

Twelve minutes before the break, Leicester scored another try, centre Leon Lloyd breaking out from inside his own half, and Tigers newcomer Winston Stanley displaying his quality by rounding opposite member Josh Lewsey to touch down.

Although Logan completed his penalty hat-trick with two further strikes either side of half-time, there was little sign of the drama to come.

After 67 minutes, Wasps centre Rob Henderson created a chance from nowhere collecting his own kick ahead and sending Lewsey sprinting clear.

Logan's simple conversion reduced the arrears to one point as a disappointing crowd of just over 6,000 were treated to some edge of the seats entertainment.

Leicester manager Dean Richards then sent on three forwards substitutes, including hooker Richard Cockerill, but Wasps were irresistible.

With one minute remaining, Logan booted a monster penalty from one metre inside his own half, and then landed a goal from much closer range after Nebbett had been yellow-carded by referee Ed Morrison.

The final drama was reserved for Healey, though, as Wasps' defence parted like the Red Sea, and Leicester, showing the character of true champions, finally secured a priceless victory

Wasps: Ufton, Lewsey, Waters, Henderson, Logan, Leek, Wood, Molloy, Greening, Green, Reed, Shaw, Beardshaw, Volley, Worsley.

Replacements: Roiser for Ufton (31), Denney for Waters (67), Le Chevalier for Molloy (68), Lock for Reed (78), Birkett for Beardshaw (61).

Not Used: Friday, Macer.

Tries: Lewsey.

Cons: Logan.

Pens: Logan 5.

Leicester: Stimpson, Murphy, Lloyd, Howard, Stanley, Goode, Healey, Jelley, West, Garforth, M. Johnson, Kay, Gustard, Back, Corry.

Replacements: Grindal for Goode (15), Rowntree for Jelley (64), Cockerill for West (71), Nebbett for Garforth (80).

Not Used: Balding, Gelderbloom, Short.

Sin Bin: Nebbett (80).

Tries: Healey 2, Stanley.

Cons: Stimpson 3.

Pens: Stimpson.

Att: 6,000

Ref: Ed Morrison (England).