Harlequins are already planning for the so-called ‘Big Game II’ next Christmas - and a record Guinness Premiership attendance of 82,000.

A restricted 50,000 Twickenham capacity crowd watched Quins stage a thrilling finale to draw 26-26 with Leicester.

Chief executive Mark Evans is confident the bar can be raised even higher following the soaraway success of Quins’ inaugural ‘Big Game.’ Had it not been for a reduced local rail service, Evans believes Quins would have sold upwards of 60,000 tickets - and next year he is targeting 82,000.

The 50,000 figure, meanwhile, is a new crowd-best for a single regular season Premiership fixture.

“We were capped at 50,000, which meant we sold out a week in advance,” said Quins boss Evans.

“I wonder how many we would have got? We didn’t have a walk-up and we didn’t have last-week sales, which are usually in five figures.

“We have a three-year deal with the Rugby Football Union. ‘Big Game II’ will happen, ‘Big Game III’ will happen, and we hope by then we will establish it as the big London Christmas sporting event.

“Let’s hope next year we can have a real go at ‘Big Game II’ and maybe fill Twickenham. I really think we can.”

England wing Ugo Monye’s last-gasp try - converted from the touchline by fly-half Nick Evans - completed a superb Quins fightback from 23-9 adrift, after Tigers claimed touchdowns through Tom Croft and Johne Murphy.

“This is a side which never gives up, a side with a huge amount of character,” said Quins rugby director Dean Richards.

“Teams are finding out that we are a difficult nut to crack. There is a resilience that wasn’t there last year, or the year before.”

Bath will end 2008 as Premiership leaders, with their South African scrum-half Michael Claassens collecting two tries in a 25-14 victory over Northampton at the Recreation Ground.

But head coach Steve Meehan admitted: “I don’t think we will be overly-pleased with that performance.”

Bath took advantage of London Irish’s first defeat since early October, replacing them at the top following the Exiles’ 16-13 loss against Saracens.

More than 16,000 watched Saracens triumph at Vicarage Road - scrum-half Moses Rauluni scored their solitary try - but Irish boss Toby Booth claimed: “We contributed to our own downfall.

“Saracens were very, very good in certain aspects. They bullied us at the contact area - we couldn’t get any rhythm or control.

“Our performances this week and last week (Irish smashed Gloucester 42-12) are worlds apart. It is very disappointing.”

Bristol’s Premiership survival hopes suffered another setback as a 29-10 home defeat against west country rivals Gloucester left them three points adrift of 11th-placed Newcastle.

Off the pitch, though, Bristol’s short-term financial future is secure after a much-needed cash injection followed a public appeal for funds by club chief executive Steve Gorvett.

But Gloucester were in no mood for charity, consolidating third spot behind Bath and Irish after 2003 England World Cup winner Mike Tindall scored two of their four tries.

“I am pretty happy with where we are,” said Gloucester head coach Dean Ryan.

“If we can push on from here, then we have a good chance of being in the mix.”

Newcastle were held 16-16 at home by Worcester, and their February 13 trip to Bristol could prove significant in terms of the relegation battle.

The Falcons led 13-3, but Worcester captain Pat Sanderson’s try 11 minutes from time helped ensure a share of the spoils.

Warriors rugby director Mike Ruddock said: “We were very disciplined, and I was very pleased with the character we showed at the end when Newcastle were coming at us.

“We needed to get something out of the game, and to come back from 13-3 down to get a draw is a real plaudit to the players.

“We stayed calm and composed and showed great character.

“We hope we can keep playing like that and move up the league. I thought both sides contributed to what was a full-blooded Premiership encounter.”