Leicester Tigers inflicted a first defeat in the European Rugby Champions Cup on defending champions Toulon with a 25-21 win at Welford Road that keeps alive their chances of progressing from the group stage.

A pair of early penalties from Owen Williams gave Leicester a 6-0 lead before they scored the first try through Brad Thorn, who capitalised on a Drew Mitchell mistake to score.

Williams added the extras to put the Tigers 13 points to the good, but by half time it was all square.

Nicolas Sanchez sent over a couple of penalties before Bryan Habana picked off a loose Williams pass to storm in, with Sanchez making no mistake from the conversion.

Williams scored his third penalty shortly after the break to restore Leicester's lead but then Toulon took the lead for the first time with an unconverted Mitchell try.

Williams's boot would win it, though, as he kicked three more penalties to Sanchez's one to leave the final score at 25-21.

Leicester's recent home record in Europe improves to 24 wins in 27 games and they are now just a point behind Toulon at the top of Group 3.