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Murphy takes pride in Cup progress

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Geordan Murphy says he is proud of the players who have taken Leicester Tigers to an appearance in the Anglo-Welsh Cup Final for the first time since 2012.

After topping Pool 4 with three wins from four games in qualifying, Tigers recorded a first-ever win at Allianz Park in the semi-final on Saturday to end Saracens’ hopes of retaining the trophy.
 
“It’s a very difficult place to come and win, they don’t lose many here,” said coach Murphy who has led the team in the tournament.
 
“It’s a really pleasing win and I was really pleased with how we went about our business.
 
“I’m extremely proud of the guys, they did a great job. They fought for everything tonight. The workrate was immense.
 
“Sarries are such a quality side that if you let them get a start on you they are very difficult to chase down. We talked about a big start and a first score, and we managed to do that.
 
“Some of our scores had an element of luck about them but the boys were committed and got us the win.
 
“We held on to the ball well and we defended well. Even in fatigue I thought everyone worked really hard for each other.”
 
Tigers welcomed back Graham Kitchener and Fraser Balmain after injury while giving gametime to senior players including JP Pietersen and skipper Mathew Tait alongside younger members of the squad and four development squad players among the replacements.
 
“Credit to the players,” added Murphy. “Guys coming back in like Kitchener and Balmain have not played a lot of rugby recently but they did very well, they had to hang in there, and I thought the back row was very impressive through the whole game.
 
“We’ve had some really big performances from a lot of players getting us into the final.”
 
Tigers against Exeter Chiefs in the Anglo-Welsh Cup Final is a 3.00pm kick-off at The Twickenham Stoop on Sunday (March 19). For tickets and travel details, please click here.