Leicester Tigers' Neil Back has hailed the Heineken Cup as the most demanding competiton outside of the World Cup.

Back, 33, who who joins England team-mates Lewis Moody and Martin Corry in the Tigers back-row for Sunday's sell-out semi-final with Llanelli at the City Ground declared, "The Heineken Cup is now the most physically and mentally demanding competition outside the World Cup," he said.

"Winning it last season was on a par with anything I have achieved throughout my career.

"The goal since the beginning of the season has been to win it again. It would be a huge achievement and something I don't think will be done again."

The Leicester flanker admitted that victory over Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup final last season reduced him to tears, and he will not mind if he has the same feelings again at the Millennium Stadium next month.

"Last year's final was the most emotional game I have ever been involved in," said Back,

"To win the Heineken Cup on the back of a third Premiership title was amazing. There were more than a few tears shed in the dressing room afterwards.

"Nothing wrong with tears. It is a release of the pressure you put yourself under to win. Hopefully we will have the same feelings at the end of this season."

Coach Dean Richards admitted he faced the toughest selection dilemma of his career when he chose a team to face the Scarlets missing only Josh Kronfeld through injury.

Last year's final-winning try-scorer Leon Lloyd is the major casualty as Richards opted for Ollie Smith at centre, although scrum-half Jamie Hamilton might be surprised only to be offered a place on the bench at the expense of Harry Ellis.

Back shrugged off fears that Llanelli may repeat their 24-12 Stradey Park triumph over the Tigers in January, following up their earlier 12-9 defeat at Welford Road when the visitors were on top for long periods.

"We didn't know what to expect from them when we played at Welford Road and down there we had already qualified and they wanted it slightly more than we did.

"They are a quality side and probably pose a bigger challenge than we faced against the Welsh national team.

"But we have a bit more to feed on this time. We know what they bring to the table and we will be ready."