Leicester Tigers strolled into the Zurich Wildcard final with an impressive five-try display to increase their unbeaten run to nine matches since the departure of Dean Richards in February.

A crowd of over 12,000 also paid tribute to the retiring Jason Leonard and Dorian West who were presented with gifts by Leicester chairman Peter Tom and chief executive Peter Wheeler.

The home side were hungry from kick-off and Tigers flanker Martin Corry led the way with a series of solid charges into the Harlequins defence.

Tigers were quick to force the visitors back and their persistence paid off as full back Andy Goode slotted a penalty just five minutes in.

Harlequins' defence remained solid despite a barrage of Tigers attacks with both sides opting for territory over possession but, in his last match at Welford Road South African Jaco Van Der Westhuyzen, was first across the line after he charged down an Andy Dunne kick and set team mate Goode up in front of the post for an easy conversion.

Both teams struggled at the line out throughout the first half with referee Steve Lander keen to impose his authority with a series of free kicks.

Tigers made the most of these opportunities but were unable to turn pressure into points when several attacks down their back line were cut short by forced passes and handling errors.

In a rare lapse of concentration the visitors put Tigers onto the back foot and by flooding the left wing put fly half Dunne through a hole to score and convert their only try of the half.

Tigers answered back before the break when a struggling Harlequins scrum were consistently brought down on the five metre line.

Quins captain Andre Vos was sent to the bin by Lander and the home team were awarded a penalty try but not before Goode had slotted a further two conversions to take the half time score to 23-7.

Leicester were on fire after the break and racked up an impressive three tries in the first 12 minutes; the first courtesy of the pack who drove a five-metre scrum over the line with flanker Neil Back taking the glory.

The next two were the result of Leicester's new-found flair in the back line, with ground work from Daryl Gibson and clever footwork by Harry Ellis allowing Ellis and Geordan Murphy to crash over and increase their lead. Goode converted one from three for a personal haul of 15 points.

Two solo tries from Harlequins wing Ugo Monye and ex-Tiger Will Greenwood and a conversion by replacement stand-off Adrian Jarvis closed the gap, but could not turn over the deficit.

A last-minute drop-goal by Japan-bound Jaco van der Westhuyzen sealed the win, leaving the final score 43-26.

Tigers now await the result of next weekend's European finals before knowing whether they will need to face Gloucester in the Zurich Wildcard final to qualify for next season's Heineken Cup.