Austin Healey has revealed how close he came to not appearing for Leicester in their epic Heineken Cup victory over Stade Francais at the Parc des Princes.

The England star defied cramp in both legs and a strained medial knee ligament to set up centre Leon Lloyd's dramatic last-gasp try at Parc des Princes.

But it was not until barely 24 hours before kick-off that Healey knew he would be taking the field against French champions Stade Francais.

"I didn't think I would be playing until Friday afternoon - I had a lot of physio and massage on my knee," he said.

"It is only a slight strain, but I thought that if I played and someone hit me, then I might not be going on the Lions tour."

Healey, though, went through the pain barrier for Leicester's cause, taking man of the match honours following a performance that epitomised Tigers' collective courage and commitment.

"We called a move, but the ball didn't come back properly from the lineout," he added, recalling the build-up to a phenomenal finale.

"Then I saw a gap, but I didn't have the acceleration because of cramp. Fortunately, though, Leon was steaming up outside me, and I managed to draw the man and he went over.

"I was just part of 15 lads working their guts out for each other. The secret of our success is total trust.

"To win this trophy is an awesome achievement, and it was admirable that our fans came here to support us in such numbers."

It looked as though Leicester would be undone by the astounding goal-kicking of Stade fly-half Diego Dominguez, who booted nine from 10 penalty attempts and slotted a 78th-minute drop goal.

Lloyd and flanker Neil Back had already breached the Stade defence to claim tries,

Yet it required that second Lloyd touchdown - and a nerveless touchline conversion from Tim Stimpson - before Tigers could celebrate an unforgettable 34-30 success.

"We said that if we didn't concede a try, then we would win the match, and that proved to be the case," Healey said.

The Heineken Cup, Premiership title and Zurich Championship play-off crown are all now Leicester's property.

But the biggest challenge facing Tigers boss Dean Richards will be keeping his team on top of the pile when clubs from Bath to Biarritz will be looking to knock them off it next term.

Healey has one year remaining on his current Leicester contract, and the sheer fatigue factor from English rugby's tortuously-long season - another nine-month campaign beckons from next September - could spark some serious self-appraisals.

While Healey has no current intention of calling time on his Leicester career, top-flight rugby's punishing mental and physical demands are huge.

"I have done everything with Leicester now, and I have got to reassess where I am. You've got to ask what drives you on," he said.

"After the Lions tour, there is a short time off and then you are preparing for another season again. It can be difficult to re-enthuse yourself."

All that is for the future though, and whatever lies in store, it is debatable whether Healey will ever surpass on the club stage those remarkable heights of one sunny Saturday afternoon in Paris.