Leicester Tigers claimed the Orange Cup with a hard fought 14-13 victory over Biarritz in Bayonne.

It was a notable victory for the English champions who were forced to field some of their young stars.

In the end tries from 20 year old Dan Hipkiss and Steve Booth were enough to clinch the game although Biarittz' Stuart Legg missed a last gasp penalty attempt that would have snatched victory.

For the Tigers the victory wiped out the memory of defeat in last year's inaugural Orange Cup to Toulouse and sets them up nicely for next weekend's Zurich Premiership kick-off.

The Tigers were chasing the game until late in the second half after a try from winger Philippe Bernat-Salles and the kicking exploits of fly-half Julien Peyrelongue had given the French champions to edge.

But Booth's late score and the conversion from young flyhalf Sam Vesty proved enough to clinch the trophy.

Biarritz opened the scoring just after the half hour when the ball was worked wide to Bernat-Salles who was able to race away to touch down under the posts.

The conversion from Peyrelongue looked to have given them the advantage going into the break but a brilliant individual score from Hipkiss, skipping through the Biarritz defence on the 22, and a conversion from Tim Stimpson levelled the scores.

But the equality didn't last long as Peyrelongue added a late penalty in first-half injury time.

In the second half the Tigers dominated both possession and territory but were unable to capitalise.

Peyrelongue extended Biarritz' advantage to six points after 65 minutes before the Tigers responded through Booth to take a one point lead.

Deep into injury time Bernat-Salles injected some pace inside his own 22, before kicking ahead to the Tigers' 22. Leicester recovered but were penalised at the ensuing ruck giving Legg the opportunity to win the game.

But luckily for the Tigers he could not convert and the Tigers took the glory.

Biarritz: 13
Try: Bernat-Salles
Con: Peyrelongue
Pen: Peyrelongue (2)

Leicester: 14
Tries: Hipkiss, Booth
Con: Stimpson, Vesty