Leicester booked their place in an eighth successive English Premiership final with a 24-15 semi-final win over champions Saracens at Welford Road on Saturday.
The Tigers will now face Harlequins, who topped the regular season table, in the final at Twickenham on May 26 after the London club’s 25-23 victory over Northampton earlier on Saturday.
Teenager George Ford, the current junior world player of the year, ensured the Tigers didn’t miss England outside-half Tony Flood, absent because an ankle injury, with an assured all-round display.
The 19-year-old son of former England defence coach Mike Ford kicked four penalties and a conversion, while it was his passing skill that created Leicester’s two tries.
“George dug us out of a few holes today, but he has played like that in every game he has been involved in this season,” said experienced Leicester captain Geordan Murphy.
“He works very, very hard, and he has bought into the team atmosphere. It is quite inspiring,” the Ireland international added.
Meanwhile, Ford was happy to have played his part in Leicester’s ongoing pursuit of a 10th league title.
“I am massively happy,” Ford said. “Fair play to the boys, we dug in and worked for each other. We will give it our best shot at Twickenham.”
Earlier, Harlequins staged a late rally to beat Northampton and so reach the London club’s first Premiership final.
Quins were eight points down with 12 minutes left at their Stoop home ground but sealed victory when 21-year-old prop Joe Marler was driven over for a converted try in the 76th minute.
Marler is in England’s squad for next month’s tour of South Africa and Harlequins coach Conor O’Shea said: “Joe Marler has been a special talent for a long time.
“In the loose, in his carries and in his tackling he is a very unique talent and England are lucky to have him,” added former Ireland full-back O’Shea, who insisted he hadn’t given up hope when Quins were eight points behind.
“I thought if we could get any sort of field position (we could win). In the last 10 minutes we started to play the way we can.”
Defeat meant a third straight Premiership semi-final loss for Northampton, who were also beaten in last season’s European Cup final by Leinster.