AS THE undoubted box-office kings of English rugby, Leicester’s drawing power knows no limits. They are the Manchester United of rugby union, with success and glory to match. They lead the Zurich Premiership by eight points and, after yesterday’s draw in Edinburgh, have the prospect of “home” advantage in the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup against either Toulouse or Northampton to look forward to — if they beat Leinster Lions in the last eight.

Every match is a sellout. Welford Road is at bursting point, which is why the club are looking to move to the nearby Walkers Stadium next season in a joint venture with Leicester City FC. Capacity there is 32,500, almost twice that of Welford Road.

That said, even they must have been staggered by their attendance for the club’s second-team game on Monday night. A crowd of 12,553 — bigger than the average first-team gate at every other Premiership club in England this season — braved freezing temperatures to see their reserves beat Sale’s second XV 39-19. .

Granted, many fans, such as season ticket-holders and children, got in free, but that scarcely dilutes the incredible achievement that is testimony not only to the loyalty of the faithful but also the club’s efforts in the community. These things do not happen by accident.

Every child with whom the club come into contact, be it through the Healthy Schools education initiative or the Alliance & Leicester tag programme through which 30,000 youngsters have passed, is given a family ticket, which entitles them and three others to attend A league fixtures for nothing. Season ticket holders receive a similar deal. Those who pay the £5 entrance fee can offset that against the price of a ticket for a first- team match — if they can get hold of one, that is. With average crowds of 16,768 and capacity at 16,815 and with the past nine home games sold out, it is easier said than done.

More than a third of Monday evening’s crowd were children. It is a policy that ensures that the supporters of tomorrow get the Leicester habit early. “Twenty to 30 years ago, the club gave season tickets to children at rugby-playing schools. Those children are now the core of our loyal support,” Sam Rossiter-Stead, the club’s communications and marketing manager, said.

Although the take at the gate is minimal, the secondary spend in bars, fast-food outlets and in the merchandise shop was, on Monday, in the tens of thousands of pounds.

In the Heineken Cup, if Leicester and Northampton win their respective quarterfinals — the Saints are away to Toulouse — their semi-final would probably fill Twickenham. However, Northampton were dealt a big blow to their chances last night after Mark Robinson, their scrum half, was banned for 14 weeks by an RFU disciplinary panel in Bristol for stamping on the head of an opponent.

Robinson was sent off during Saturday’s Powergen Cup quarter-final defeat by Leeds Tykes and his suspension will run until May 3, so he will miss the rest of this season, if Northampton do not reach the Premiership play-offs or the Heineken Cup final.

If Toulouse and Leicester win their Heineken Cup quarter-finals, Leicester hope to be able to use Walkers Stadium, in which they are looking to buy a half-share.

Newcastle Falcons, England’s other representatives in the competition, are sounding out the possibility of using St James’ Park, Newcastle United’s stadium, or Darlington’s ground if they reach a semifinal against Biarritz or Munster. In the quarter-finals, they are away to Stade Français in a match that could signal the return of Jonny Wilkinson from his latest injury. Now there is a draw card.

HEINEKEN CUP DRAW
Semi-finals

Leinster or Leicester v Toulouse or Northampton Stade Français or Newcastle v Biarritz or Munster

Matches to be played on the weekend of April 22 to 24