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Rugby Rugby columnist Andy Goode believes his former teammates at Leicester Tigers can go on and do the double after edging out Cardiff in arguably the most dramatic Heineken Cup match yet...

Wow! What can I say... I am writing this column this week with a glass of red wine in hand and some seriously frayed nerves after watching the Leicester Tigers boys sneak past the Cardiff Blues.

Really, what can be said - that hasn't been said already?! - after 100 minutes of thrilling rugby, followed by drama of the highest order during that kicking shootout?

Firstly, I really feel for Martyn Williams. He is one Cardiff's greatest ever players and he does not deserve to be the 'reason' for their loss.

Of course, he is not the reason, he was simply the unlucky guy to have missed the kick, before Jordan Crane landed his. It's not a nice situation... especially for a player of Martyn's stature and it was great to see Cozza console him afterwards. Leicester would have known it could easily have been them on the losing side.

Not just for kicks...

In the end, the better side won - Leicester played the better semifinal rugby in the end - but I am not sure if this kicking shootout is the way to go.

Maybe they should play sudden death after extra-time, or perhaps they should reward the side that scored the most tries. Either way, it would certainly save a few finger-nails and some stress - it felt like I was playing out there, after being glued to my couch and experiencing some pretty up and down moments.

I won't lie, I was pretty emotional when Cardiff hit back through those two late tries, and then when Johne Murphy missed his kick at goal during the 'kick-out', but those feelings were soon followed by screams of delight when Jordan Crane put his through. (My family thought I was going mad!)

Leicester had the match sewn up at 26-12 up and I guess Cockers would normally be a bit worried that they let that lead slip. The truth is, however; those two cards cost them dearly and that let Cardiff back in match, but they held their nerve and shut out a game they deserved to win in the end. As I said, there had to be a winner and unfortunately it came via that 'kick-out'.

I thought Leicester's locks Benny Kay and Tom Croft were exceptional on the day. They ruled the lineouts and played a big part in putting the Blues off their game and very nearly sewing up the result in regulation time.

How Crofty missed out on the initial Lions squad is beyond me and I thought his performance in the match showed just now much the Lions will miss him in South Africa. There is some speculation that Alan Quinlan could miss the tour due to suspension and you'd have to think that Crofty would be next in line.

Croft and Murphy: Lions in Tigers clothing

The other guy that made a mockery of Lions selection was Geordan Murphy. I know I have been writing him up these past few weeks, but I honestly believe he is playing some of the best rugby of his career. It's almost as if the captaincy has given him a new lease of life, but either way; this man is pure class and his experience and BMT would be invaluable against the Springboks.

I also thought Sam Vesty was again a key man for Leicester. I have played a lot of rugby alongside Sam and I have always rated him as a player - aside from his all-round ability. A lot of people outside of the club might not know much about him, but he is well thought of at Tigers and that is all that matters.

Floody was good, too, but his injury was a blow to the side, although - perversely - it now makes Cockers' life easier in terms of selection over the next few weeks. Should Toby's injury be serious (you never know until there is an official diagnosis), then Cockers will go with Sam, Mauger and Danny at 10, 12 and 13, respectively. If Floody is fit, then Cockers will have some tough choices to make.

In fact, I think it's that depth in selection that saw the lads through in the end. Julien Dupuy had a good game, but I thought Harry Ellis also made a difference when he came on. Martin Castrogiovanni threw himself about for 50 minutes, then Julian White came on... Chutes had a strong game, then a French international (Kayser) replaced him at hooker - that depth is going to be crucial in the run-in for Tigers.

Can they do the double this season?

I think the Tigers can do the double, but a lot depends on how the team raises itself after Sunday's epic fixture.

They played 100 minutes of high-quality rugby, whereas Bath had the week off, relaxing and building towards a game they will be hoping to win after Tigers snatched the game away from them in the Heineken Cup quarterfinals a few weeks ago.

If Tigers get past Bath I think they will do the double. Cockers will make a few changes to keep the guys fresh and I am sure someone like Moodos will come into the selection equation - all of which augurs well for Leicester's push for the double.

It's rather weird not preparing for a Grand Final of sorts, having been part of one final or another for many years whilst still at Leicester. Whether it was a Wildcard Final, a Premiership Final or a Heineken Cup Final - it will be strange not preparing to challenge for some silverware at the business-end of the season.

Meanwhile, back in France

Of course, at Brive we have some 'finals' rugby of sorts ahead of us; we have two more Top 14 games left and with Bourgoin having beaten Worcester in the semifinals of the European Challenge Cup, we need Northampton to win the final in order to ensure that six teams from the Top 14 make it into the Heineken Cup in 2009/10 and not the top five, plus Bourgoin.

Steve Thompson and Ben Cohen have their Saints hats firmly on, but the truth is that we are still well in control of our own destiny and we won't have to worry about other permutations if we beat Montpellier (at home) and Bourgoin (away) in our remaining games. It's that simple.

My groin is feeling loads better and I will be involved in both games after spending the past week away in Dubai with Sonja and Elle-Grace. It was just what I needed, lying on the beach and relaxing with the family - although I did hit the gym a few times and am raring to go ahead of these last two weeks.

I am, of course, hoping for a bit more rugby after the Top 14 - with England against the Barbarians and Argentina - but if I can help Brive through into the top six, it will hopefully also do my England chances some good at the same time.

Catch you next time,
Goodey