Rugby Union: Guinness Premiership: Leicester 32 - 3 Bristol

It would be unrealistic to expect Austin Healey to slink off quietly into the nether world of part-time rugby and possible retirement. Having bid a formal farewell to the Welford Road faithful, he good-humouredly disagreed with his director of rugby Pat Howard over the significance of playing at home in Sunday's play-off semi-final against London Irish, and, more pointedly, called for several of the older coaches in English rugby to retire.

"There are a lot of journeyman coaches they need to get rid of," said Healey. "I'm not naming names but they need to step over for the likes of Will Greenwood, Mike Catt, and, dare I say it, me."

Like the delicate overhead pass that set up Tom Varndell's try just before half-time, it was all in an afternoon's work for this larger-than-life character, who may retire this summer if he feels his body has had enough - "There are issues with my shoulder and knee" - but who may also continue for one more season, combining playing for Leicester with a job in the City. With the possibility this might be his last appearance at Welford Road, Healey was allowed to lead the team on to the pitch, accompanied by his two daughters. He was also captain and fly-half, with the usual incumbent Andy Goode appearing for the final half-hour at full-back.

Varndell's score, coming after George Chuter had been shunted over in a classic Tigers driving maul, gave Leicester a 10-point lead as a depleted Bristol played like a team who had declared an end to the season once they had secured their Prem-iership status. Further scores from Chuter, Alesana Tuilagi and Michael Holford were icing on the cake; Leicester had the match, second place in the table and a home semi-final in the bag once Varndell had crossed for his 21st try of the season. The only worry, perhaps, was the plethora of try-scoring chances squandered through poor handing with a slippery ball.

To avoid any complacency, Howard was unwilling to concede his side will gain any advantage in a home semi-final, despite the fact his team had just finished a Premiership season unbeaten there for the sixth time in nine years. "In a one-off game the Welford Road factor is irrelevant, it means nothing. You're not guaranteed winning, wherever you are. In the Super 14, about 40% of home semi-finalists lose. The guys like playing at home, we'll have more spectators, but it guarantees nothing. It [the Welford Road factor] lasts about five minutes."

Healey appeared to feel his director of rugby was playing mind games. "Pat's lying of course," he said. "Playing here is a huge lift for all the players, certainly for me. The supporters here are the best, and we never want to let them down."

Leicester Murphy (Vesty, 39); Tuilagi (Corry, 71), Lloyd (Goode, 53), Gibson, Varndell (Ellis, 59); Healey (capt), Bemand; Rowntree (Holford, 45), Chuter (Buckland, 53), Morris, Hamilton, Cullen, Jennings (Johnson, 53), Moody, Deacon.

Tries Chuter 2, Varndell, Tuilagi, Holford. Cons Vesty, Goode. Pen Murphy.

Bristol Stortoni (Hayes, 73); Robinson, Lima, Cox, Stanojevic; Strange (Gray, 65), Nicholls (Rauluni, 59); Irish, Nelson (Clark, 67), Crompton (capt), Winters, Sambucetti, Lewis (Morgan, 71), Short (Grieve, 80), Ward-Smith.

Pen Strange.

Sin-bin Lewis, 59.

Referee A Rowden (Berks). Attendance 16,185.