By Paul Schoonenberg Leicester 30 Quins 21 HARLEQUINS star Jason Leonard had to endure the double agony of being dropped from the England squad for last Saturday's match against Wales and then being denied a farewell international appearance by again being omitted for England's last Six Nations match away to France this Saturday.

To make matters worse he was unable to prevent Harlequins crashing to Leicester in the Zurich Premiership at Welford Road on Friday.

The veteran prop, who announced he would be retiring from international rugby after the Six Nations, was axed by England coach Clive Woodward for the 31-21 victory over Wales at Twickenham and has been ignored as a substitute again against France on Saturday when Ham resident Lawrence Dallaglio and Quins centre Will Green-wood continue as captain and vice captain respectively.

Leonard will be trying to help Quins gain revenge over Leicester this Saturday when the teams meet again in the Premiership at The Stoop (3pm).

Jason came on as a replacement for Quins in place of Jon Dawson after 61 minutes on Friday but it was too late to save the visitors.

Quins staged a tremendous fight back after going 17-0 down following tries by full-back Andy Goode, van der Westhuyzen and centre Daryl Gibson but paid the price for conceding 14 points while down to 14 men early in the first half.

Quins pulled back to 17-6 at half-time with two penalties by Andy Dunne, who then converted a fine try from Gavin Duffy to make it 17-13.

Goode then outscored Dunne two penalties to one to give Leicester a seven-point advantage with 17 minutes left. The outcome was once again in the balance when Pat Sanderson's pass enabled Josh Taumalolo to score in the corner with eight minutes to go. Dunne failed to convert from right on the touchline, which would have levelled the scores at 23-apiece.

Almost immediately from the restart, van der Westhuyzen scored his crucial second try and Goode converted.

Harlequins: Worsley (Jones, 61 mins), Fuga, Dawson (Leonard, 61 mins), Rudzki (Davison , 67 mins), Evans, Sanderson, Sherriff (Tiatia, 61 mins), Diprose, Willis, Dunne (Jewell,78 mins), Keogh, Deane, Taumalolo, Moore, Duffy.