Harlequins finished their Gallagher Premiership season with a thrilling 17-20 win over Leicester Tigers at a sold-out Welford Road.

The hard-fought victory cemented Harlequins Champions Cup place for 2023/24 and ensured Tabai Matson's side finished the 2022/23 Premiership season in sixth position.

Facing a raucous home crowd and with Tigers having already booked their place in next week's play-offs, Quins arrived in Leicester with a determination to finish the season in style and force an upset.

Cadan Murley led the side out on his 100th first-team appearance, before a dramatic and tense first half erupted at Welford Road.

Both sides traded blows early, adjusting to the wet and slippery conditions. Quins took the initial advantage, working the ball into the Tigers 22. From the attacking lineout the forwards powered over. Referee Ian Tempest spotting the infringement and awarding Quins the penalty try. Tigers second-row Cameron Henderson yellow carded as a result.

Three minutes later and the hosts hit back. Hooker Julian Montoya crossing the whitewash from close range. Handrè Pollard converted and the scores were locked at 7-7 after 15 minutes.

It was Quins who pulled the next piece of attacking brilliance. Marcus Smith controlled possession flicking a quick ball to replacement Louis Lynagh who charged to the line. He drew the defender before passing to Josh Bassett who unselfishly popped to Cadan Murley. The winger crossing for his 15th Premiership try this season. Smith converted from the spot to extend the lead to seven points.

Heading into the 28th minute, Louis Lynagh and Mike Brown collided in the air from a booming high kick. After a long stoppage in play referee Tempest found no foul play and the match resumed.

Ten minutes later and it was a different story. Tigers wing Chris Ashton red carded following a high tackle on Murley. The visitors down to 14 men with Quins in perfect attacking position.

From the lineout, Quins worked the ball phase by phase towards the Leicester line. With Tigers scrambling in defence the referee found foul play and awarded Harlequins the penalty. Smith calmly stepped up and notched the kick to give his side the 7-17 half-time lead.

The second 40 got underway with Tigers awarded the penalty near to the posts. Pollard took no time to slot the penalty and reduce the deficit to 10-17.

Heading into the final 30 minutes Danny Care found space down the far side. He charged down the wing and looked to have crossed the line and scored. However, the experienced Quin got to his feet and acknowledged he had knocked the ball forward over the line.

Tigers then won the penalty with replacement fly-half Jimmy Gopperth called upon to kick for the lineout. With a swirly breeze his kick failed to find touch, Smith grabbing the ball and flicking inside to Lewis Gjaltema. From the next play Tigers were penalised and Smith again had the opportunity to extend Quins' lead. The 24-year-old slotted the penalty to extend the advantage to 10-20 with ten minutes remaining.

With the clock ticking down and with Welford Road in full voice, Leicester regathered momentum and charged towards the Quins line. Playing with confidence they rumbled forward with Tommy Reffell eventually forcing his way over. Gopperth converted to make it 17-20.

With seconds remaining Quins were then penalised for being off their feet. Tigers kicked deep to set up for the attacking lineout. Another penalty forced Joe Marler to the sin-bin and Tigers had one final chance to snatch a dramatic victory. They drove forward from the lineout, inch by inch. But it wasn't to be. The desperate Quins defence stood firm, stealing the ball and booting it high into the Welford Road crowd.

A remarkable victory and just the second time Harlequins have won at Welford Road since 2013.