Sarries opened the scoring with less than a minute played, but Tigers hit back almost immediately when Tom Varndell registered a trade-mark try. The Commonwealth silver medallist took a long cut out pass from Ian Humphreys inside his own 22, forced his way through two tackles and then skinned the last defender to touch down under the posts.
The twenty-year-old added his second try of the afternoon two minutes later after Matt Smith drew two defenders, before finding Humphreys, who again supplied the scoring pass.
Scott Bemand was next on the score sheet following a superb kick-off take from Tom Croft. Seru Rabeni switched play back to the right before Bemand offered a classy dummy to cruise over in the far corner.
Tigers continued to dominate proceedings as the impressive Croft rounded the final defender after taking a pass from Humphreys, giving Leicester a 22-5 half-time lead.
The second period began where the first had left off, with Humphreys racing 80 yards from a quick tap penalty to stretch Tigers' advantage.
Sarries added a second score mid-way through the half, before Gavin Hickie's audacious sidestep allowed Smith to burst through under the posts. Saracens had the final say with their third try of the match, but the result was never in doubt as a composed and adventurous Tigers side put down a formidable early marker.
Tigers side v Saracens:
Seru Rabeni
Tom Croft
Henry Tuilagi
Scott Bemand (captain)
Ian Humphreys
Tom Varndell
Matt Smith
Replacements:
Brett Deacon on for Rabeni
Gavin Hickie on for Tuilagi
Vesty on for Humphries
Unused:
Harry Ellis
Frank Murphy
