Marcelo Loffreda would be the first to admit that the demands of coaching in the Guinness Premiership have surprised him. He knew that the job would be tough; he understood that joining a club of Leicester’s stature, with its culture of success, meant that there would be pressure, but not quite on the scale that he has experienced.

Being in charge of Argentina allowed periods of respite. The Premiership is unrelenting and unforgiving, especially when expectations are so high. A week ago Loffreda was on shaky ground. After an unhappy season, the club were apparently on the verge of imploding, with briefings and backstabbings that would not have been out of place in the Labour Party. With stoppage time approaching and Harlequins ahead on Saturday, Leicester were not only out of the play-offs but also Heineken Cup qualification. Loffreda was surely doomed.

Then Tom Varndell’s moment of inspiration and a magical matchwinning try provided the amiable and open Loffreda with a get-out-of-jail card. The win guaranteed another season of European rugby and, with Sale Sharks losing, the improbable bonus of the play-offs by the back door, as well as a chance for redemption.

Loffreda, who took over as head coach after the World Cup and said on Saturday evening that he would never compromise his principles, has bought himself time and, he hopes, an end to the intense speculation about his future.“ It is difficult to manage rumours, the newspaper reports, everybody talking about me,” Loffreda said. “Always when there is hope, you have to keep hoping. Maybe nobody bet £1 for us last week. But here we are. I admire the other [Premiership] coaches because it is a tough position and you need good support from everybody to build confidence.”

Confidence is something that Leicester should take to Kingsholm for the play-off semi-final against Gloucester. They did not expect to be there, so have nothing to lose. That they are is thanks to Varndell. With nerves on a knife-edge and Welford Road at fever pitch, the wing chipped ahead and, with his extraordinary speed, outpaced the tiring Harlequins defence, gathered the ball and scored his second try. It could well prove a turning point. Martin Corry, the captain, believes that a successful defence of their title is not out of the question. “We know when we get it right, we are a very, very good side,” he said. “Unfortunately, we have been very poor at times [this season]. If we produce our A game, we will be a very difficult side to beat.”

To win, though, Leicester will have to eliminate sloppy mistakes and tighten up in midfield, which was opened too easily, and their fringe defence, tested to the limit by the marvellous, intuitive Danny Care, the Harlequins scrum half. They must hope that Andy Goode does not have another woeful kicking day. On Saturday, he missed five attempts at goal, three of which were from in front.

Harlequins pressed them all the way in a match in which fortunes fluctuated and chances went begging. Defeat was especially tough on Care, who has blossomed with an extended run in the team and must be a certainty for England’s tour to New Zealand this summer. John Wells, the watching national forwards coach, was heard describing Care as outstanding.

Dean Richards, the Harlequins director of rugby, was upset to lose and did not believe that Wayne Barnes, the referee, had his best day. Had Harlequins, who can qualify for the Heineken Cup if Bath beat Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup final on May 25, shown more composure, they might have held on to a 28-17 advantage after 63 minutes. But a measure of alarm set in and Leicester dug deep to fashion a win that may have enormous implications.

Scorers: Leicester: Tries: Varndell 2 (16min, 80+2), Herring (8), J Murphy (40+1), Crane (68). Conversions: Goode 3. Harlequins: Tries: Williams 2 (40+3, 63), Brown (3), Skinner (20). Conversions: Malone 4. Scoring sequence: (Leicester first): 0-7, 5-7, 12-7, 12-14, 12-21 (half-time), 17-21, 17-28, 24-28, 31-28.

Leicester: G Murphy; T Varndell, D Hipkiss, AMauger, J Murphy (rep: A Erinle, 71); A Goode, HEllis; B Stankovich (rep: M Ayerza, 56), M Davies (rep: G Chuter, 64), J White, M Wentzel (rep: RBlaze, 70), B Kay, M Corry, B Herring (rep: TCroft, 56), J Crane.

Harlequins: M Brown; T Williams, D Strettle, TMasson, S Keogh (rep: DW Barry, 58); CMalone, D Care; C Jones, C Brooker, M Ross (rep: J Brooks, 69), J Percival (rep: J Evans, 45), GRobson (rep: J Percival, 63), C Robshaw (sin-bin, 39-45; rep: T Guest, 60), W Skinner, N Easter.

Referee: W Barnes.
Attendance: 17,000.