They might try to argue at Welford Road that they didn't care about this irritating after-thought of a competition anyway and that Bristol are welcome to the victory if it means that much to them - so there. But don't believe a word of it.
True, the crowd of 4,771 amounted, if nothing else, to something of a statement on the Welford Road faithful's feelings towards the Zurich Championship - a faithful that usually numbers itself well into five figures. Nevertheless, the sight of those hardy few that had made it trudging disgruntledly away before the final whistle betrayed an intensity of feeling about this defeat to which few would like to admit. It was an impression reinforced by Austin Healey's broody stomp towards the changing rooms the minute he'd been pulled off by Dean Richards, who himself bore an expression that parodied the filthy conditions in which the game was played.
And well they might scowl. There is mud in the eyes of Leicester as they build up to next weekend's Heineken Cup final. This is their first domestic defeat at Welford Road since December 1997. And, superfluous though this competition may be, what with it being called the Championship, Leicester can no longer call themselves the champions of England with quite the same authority as they have for the past three years. Of course, we all know they're the best team in England, but, make no mistake, this defeat will irritate them intensely and give Munster, their opponents in the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, further grounds for optimism.
Don't, however, disparage this championship jamboree in front of Bristol. They finished eighth in the quaint old Premiership - a mediocre season by anyone's standards - but now, thanks to this extraordinary victory, they are only one win away from qualification for next season's Heineken Cup. And, if they win their next two games (ie end up as Championship champions) and Leicester lose to Munster on Saturday, they'll qualify as England's number-one seeds.
On this evidence, they'll bear the mantle worthily. Leicester were not at full strength for this match, losing Martin Johnson and Neil Back to flu and Tim Stimpson to injury, but neither were Bristol, who had 11 squad players unavailable.
The visitors handled the disruption to their line up far more comfortably than Leicester. The conditions might well have been described as levelling, but there was nothing level about the two teams' respective standards of play. Bristol were simply better than last season's treble winners - and by some distance.
Leicester were dragged down by the mire. Many a player in the early stages staggered blindly to the touchline after a tackle gesticulating wildly about the mud that needed to be washed from his eyes. But Bristol seemed somehow unaffected by the weather, and no one was seeing more clearly than Felipe Contepomi, Bristol's Argentine fly-half. He created all of the three tries that earned the visitors a decisive 24-6 lead at half-time.
David Rees could take the credit for the first. Collecting Contepomi's pass midway through the first half, he danced his way through the wet-footed Leicester defence for an impressive solo score. The expected rousing of the wounded Tigers, however, was not forthcoming, and still Bristol pushed themselves deep into Leicester territory. Contepomi's break set up Jamie Williams for another try in the corner, before the Argentine's clean break through the midfield sent Michael Lipman in under the posts.
The second half saw only fitful efforts from the Tigers as they tried to claw back Bristol's lead. Referee Chris White did actually award Leicester a try from a line-out and drive, before he took it all back after touch judge Brian Campsall corroborated the claims of Neil McCarthy that he had ripped the ball from the marauding attackers.
The danger was cleared and Bristol defended their lead comfortably. Andy Goode's late try earned Leicester some respect, but will have done little to calm their nerves for Saturday's showdown with Munster - a team not known for their deference to champions at the best of times. But when a team is not quite so champion any more.
Leicester: Billig; Lloyd, Smith, Kafer, Tuilagi; Goode, Healey; Rowntree, West, Nebbett, Deacon, Kay, Moody, Kronfeld, Corry.
Try: Goode. Con: Goode. Pens: Goode (2).
Bristol: Best; Rees, Williams, Little, Christophers; Contepomi, Pichot; Crompton, McCarthy, Bergamaschi, Sturnham, Brown, Short, Lipman, Brownrigg.
Tries: Rees, Williams, Lipman. Cons: Contepomi (3). Pens: Contepomi (2).
Referee: Chris White (Cheltenham).
Attendance: 4,771
