Martin Johnson delivered a towering display as double European champions Leicester threw themselves a Heineken Cup lifeline by crushing Ulster at Welford Road.

Johnson, the centre of attention as his retirement from international rugby was confirmed just before the final whistle, had a talisman effect on Leicester's fired-up forwards.

And there was a spectacular conclusion when he sprinted 25 metres to claim Leicester's fifth and final try of an unforgettable afternoon.

England's World Cup-winning captain was at his glowering, destructive best as the Tigers kept alive their quarter-final hopes in emphatic fashion.

Johnson, typically, showed no sign of being distracted by events off the field. He relished the bruising physical combat, and was instrumental in comfortably Leicester's best performance of the season.

A capacity 16,800 crowd roared their approval as Tigers roared to victory through a Leon Lloyd try double, and second-half touchdowns by Johnson, skipper Neil Back and fly-half Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Full-back Sam Vesty did the rest, kicking 24 points from five penalties and three conversions.

The stunning result not only emphatically avenged last weekend's 33-0 drubbing by Ulster in Belfast, but gives Leicester a realistic chance of progressing from Pool One. Their final two fixtures are away against Gwent Dragons and at home to French champions Stade Francais.

And the additional prize of a try-scoring bonus point at Ulster's expense took them top of the group, prior to Stade tackling the Dragons in Paris tomorrow.

Once the final whistle blew, attention switched totally to Johnson.

His retirement ratified, it ended an illustrious 84-cap England career, which saw him captain his country 39 times, while he also led the Lions on their 1997 and 2001 tours.

But Johnson's latest performance in the red and green of Leicester showed that he still has a ravenous appetite for club rugby, a career that he will continue with.

Under-fire Leicester boss Dean Richards made several changes following events six days ago, including a double midfield switch after injuries ruled out Daryl Gibson and Ollie Smith.

The opening flurries offered little in terms of attacking flair, but Leicester went ahead after five minutes when referee Nigel Williams punished Ulster for a late tackle on Austin Healey.

Vesty slotted the resulting 30-metre penalty, and Leicester could enjoy posting points on the board following last weekend's whitewash.

Vesty then added a second penalty, and Ulster's dismal start continued when their skipper Andy Ward was sin-binned for stamping.

Lloyd sprinted 30 metres to the line for his opening try, and Leicester's best first-half performance for months was confirmed through a second Lloyd touchdown during injury time.

Leicester wasted no time re-asserting themselves in the second period, and after a fifth successful Vesty penalty, Tigers put the issue beyond all doubt.

Replacement prop Ricky Nebbett blasted through a weakening Ulster defence to set up Back for try number three, and then a priceless try-scoring bonus point was secured when van der Westhuyzen scythed through a huge gap.

Vesty continued kicking goals for fun, and with half an hour still remaining, Leicester were 41-0 ahead and on top of their pool.

The adoring Welford Road faithful could scarcely believe the turnaround in Leicester's fortunes, and there was a promise of more points to come, such was the game's one-sided nature.

Healey limped away from the action after 57 minutes to be replaced by Steve Booth, bit it did not disrupt Leicester's mighty momentum, and Ulster entered the final quarter pinned inside their own 22.

Leicester, their job supremely done, had no intention of allowing Ulster to claim a consolation score, despite the Irish side's plucky late efforts.

It was the Tigers at their miserly best, showing all the characteristics that underpinned their Heineken Cup triumphs in 2001 and 2002.

Wing James Topping did breach the Leicester defence for a try converted by David Humphreys, but then Johnson struck by galloping over and normal service was resumed.

There was so much for Richards to enthuse about, notably the new half-back combination of van der Westhuyzen and Harry Ellis that injected verve and vitality into an team that had appeared so devoid of ideas throughout the season.

It is far too early to suggest that Tigers are again major Heineken Cup contenders, but on today's evidence, they might just be stirring.

Teams:

Leicester: Vesty, Baxter, Lloyd, Gelderbloom, Healey, van der Westhuyzen, Ellis, Rowntree, West, Morris, M. Johnson, Kay, W. Johnson, Back, H. Tuilagi.

Replacements: Myring for Lloyd (80), Booth for Healey (60), Richards for West (66), Nebbett for Morris (66), W. Skinner for H. Tuilagi (60).

Not Used: L. Deacon, Pez.

Tries: Lloyd 2, Back, van der Westhuyzen, M. Johnson.

Cons: Vesty 3.

Pens: Vesty 6.

Ulster: Wallace, Topping, Stewart, Steinmetz, Howe, Humphreys, Doak, Kempson, Sexton, S. Best, Mustchin, Frost, Ward, N. Best, Wilson.

Replacements: Larkin for Stewart (18), Shields for Sexton (66), Moore for S. Best (50).

Not Used: McCullough, Brosnihan, Campbell, Cunningham.

Sin Bin: Ward (11).

Tries: Topping.

Cons: Humphreys.

Att: 16,815

Ref: N Williams (WRFU).