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Tigers take a point in Gloucester defeat

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A last-minute kick from Matt Toomua secured a losing bonus point for Leicester Tigers in a 24-17 defeat by Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm on Saturday.

Tries from Mick Malouf – who later left the field injured – and Joe Ford had Tigers in front in the first half in the Round 14 encounter in the Aviva Premiership season. But on both occasions Gloucester responded in kind as half-time arrived with the score tied at 14-14.

A period down to 14 men, after a yellow card to Logovi’i Mulipola, proved costly early in the second period as Billy Twelvetrees kicked a penalty and then converted a try from Matt Scott as the hosts led by 10 points with 20 minutes remaining.

Tigers then spent a lengthy period defending their own line before Toomua’s kick secured some consolation.

Gloucester began the day in fifth place in the Premiership table with eight wins from 13 games – dropping one spot after Bath’s big win over Northampton on Friday evening – and with six more than eighth-placed Leicester as the clubs met for a third time in the season following wins for Tigers in the league and cup in the autumn.

Tigers welcomed back Telusa Veainu, Manu Tuilagi and Tom Youngs after injury for the first Premiership fixture of the vital Six Nations period, while Brendon O’Connor made his 50th appearance for the club. Former Leicester duo Fraser Balmain and Ed Slater started among the Gloucester replacements, while Billy Twelvetrees started at centre, though Owen Williams was left out after returning from the Wales squad.

The opening exchanges were played out in the Gloucester half, Tigers showing strong work off the ball and setting up a decent lineout drive which opened a gap for Matt Toomua, only for the ball to fall loose as he tried to offload.

Gloucester felt their way into the game with two breaks down their right which had The Shed in good voice, but Tigers cleared well from their lineout as Sam Harrison kicked back up to halfway.

The breakthrough for Tigers came, ironically, just as Gloucester looked to be building a head of steam in attack with Malouf stepping in to intercept a weak pass and running clear from just outside his own 22. Joe Ford added the extras for a seven-point lead on 12 minutes.

Smart work from Brendon O’Connor earned Tigers a penalty just inside their own half with 17 minutes gone and Ford pushed play down the right for a lineout on the 22. But with The Cherry and Whites lined up in defence, Tigers were pushed back and also suffered a blow when Sione Kalamafoni needed physio treatment after a carry in midfield.

Jason Woodward threatened the Tigers line when he picked off a chip from Ford and launched a counter-attack before Tuilagi and Malouf combined to close the door near the touchline.

A soft pitch and biting wind did not make it easy, but both sides looked determined to keep the ball in play, which only added to the drain on energy levels as the half progressed.

Gloucester lost wing Ollie Thorley to injury after 25 minutes, with Matt Scott joining the backline just as Veainu produced a 60-metre clearing kick which penned the hosts back.

Veainu over-shot his next clearing kick, though, bringing Gloucester back into the Tigers half with a lineout on their left. Big tackles from Toomua and then Kitchener snuffed out danger and then the Tigers lock latched on to a wayward pass on halfway to overturn possession.

But Gloucester did not need a second invitation as they made use of extra numbers out wide to set Henry Trinder away on a 50-metre run to the line, with Malouf injured in making a tackle earlier in the move.

Gloucester had to wait to take their conversion while Malouf received lengthy medical attention, with Mathew Tait sent on as a replacement. Malouf was eventually led off, to warm applause from all four sides of the stadium, as Twelvetrees knocked over the kick to level the scores entering the last 10 minutes of the half.

But Tigers produced an immediate reply from Ford with his first try for the club.

With play bogged down on halfway, O’Connor arrived on a perfect line to pick his way through and, when Kitchener arrived in support, his pass put Ford in next to the posts. The fly-half added the conversion to make it 14-7 in the visitors’ favour.

A winding run from Woodward got Gloucester back on the attack and they kept play moving to left where Trinder had an easy run-in from 10 metres for his second score of the afternoon. Twelvetrees struck the conversion firmly through the posts in a blustery wind to tie the scores at 14-14 on 36 minutes.

There was one more opportunity before the half-time whistle as Gloucester were penalised in their own half with just 30 seconds remaining after good work in possession by O’Connor. Ford eventually elected to go for goal from wide on the left, but pushed his kick across the posts to bring the action to an end.

There we no changes at half-time, with Gloucester fly-half Billy Burns getting the game back under way.

Tigers has a scare on 45 minutes when Gloucester created a four-on-one wide on their right, only to wrapped up by the defence before they could move the ball.

But they stayed on the front foot and, when they were awarded a penalty 15 metres out, Logovi’i Mulipola was sin-binned as he tackled Willi Heinz as he tapped to go. Twelvetrees kicked the penalty to put the home side ahead for the first time in the afternoon at 17-14.

In their next attack, started from deep in their own half, Gloucester appeared to be whiskers away from a score on the left but the chip kick evaded Woodward’s dive and referee Doyle adjudged there had been a Tigers player held back in defence and awarded a penalty anyway.

Tatafu Polota-Nau and Harry Wells replaced skipper Youngs and Mike Fitzgerald when the game restarted but Gloucester retained the ball through phase after phase just over halfway and then a Scott kick had the visitors racing back towards their own line.

Pat Cilliers was sent on as a temporary front-row replacement, with Tait making way, as Tigers defended a man short.

Tuilagi made two big shots where O’Connor was also prominent, but Gloucester kept their patience and made good use of the extra man out ide as Scott claimed their third try of the day.

Mike Williams took a heavy knock in the build-up to the score and had to be led off the field, with Luke Hamilton coming into the back row.

After the change had been made, Twelvetrees kicked his third conversion of the day to stretch the Cherries’ lead to 24-14 with three-quarters of the match played.

Gareth Owen replaced Ford in the Tigers backline, with Toomua switching to fly-half.

Ruan Ackermann elected to tap from a penalty in the Tigers 22, in the hunt for a fourth try, but the visitors quickly closed in and had the bonus of a knock-on and scrum put-in as they looked for another foothold in the game.

Harry Simmons was introduced for his Premiership debut on 67 minutes and his first involvement was in clearing up the 22 after another big spell of Gloucester pressure.

There was no let-up as a penalty kept them at close range. Even after Adam Thompstone had produced a big tackle on Woodward, play came back to the corner for another penalty from a lineout and Gloucester went for the set-piece again with the clock ticking into the final 10 minutes.

Tigers withstood the drive but had spent more than five minutes pined almost on their own line before forcing a knock-on. and Simmons was eventually forced to kick just to relieve the pressure.

A 40-metre run from O’Connor gained valuable go-forward on the left, with Kitchener carrying well again in support, but Gloucester got back to spread across the field and keep Tigers out.

Burns stepped in to intercept on the touchline but his kick flew straight out and Tigers set from a lineout 22 metres out on the left. After securing possession, though, ball was then lost in midfield.

Gloucester made an unforced error in kicking straight out and Tigers tried again, Tait providing some pace coming into the line, and there was one more chance when Veainu wriggled free in his own half and chipped ahead. Ben Vellacott won the race to the ball, but Gloucester were penalised at the breakdown, giving Toomua the kick to secure a losing bonus point with time already up.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

GLO 14-14 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

GLO 24-17 LEI

Attendance

13,179

Referee

JP Doyle

Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester Rugby
24

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
17
Gloucester Rugby
T
C
T
C
P
T
C
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
T
C
T
C
P

Match Stats

Gloucester Rugby
Leicester Tigers
Possession
62%
38%
Territory
66%
34%
Penalties Conceded
5
6
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
119/133 89%
217/253 86%
Scrums Won
8/8 100%
3/3 100%
Lineouts Won
17/17 100%
13/13 100%

Player Stats

Gloucester Rugby
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Telusa Veainu
14Nick Malouf1T
13Manu Tuilagi
12Matt Toomua1P
11Adam Thompstone
10Joe Ford1T2C
9Sam Harrison
1Greg Bateman
2Tom Youngs
3Logovi'i Mulipola
4Michael Fitzgerald
5Graham Kitchener
6Mike Williams
7Brendon O'Connor
8Sione Kalamafoni
16Tatafu Polota-Nau
17Kyle Traynor
18
19Harry Wells
20
21Harry Simmons
22
23Mathew Tait

Commentary

TIGERS COME AWAY WITH A POINT

A last-play penalty from Matt Toomua sees Leicester Tigers come away from Kingsholm with a bonus-point, despite Gloucester walking away winners 24-17 in the Aviva Premiership fixture. 

PENALTY - TIGERS

Matt Toomua adds three and closes the gap to seven points, in the final play of the match. 

80

GLOUCESTER HAVE IT ... WAIT, NO!

The home side scramble at the back, with scrum-half Ben Vellacott coming up with it but Brendon O'Connor forces a penalty and hands Tigers a chance 20m out to kick for a losing bonus point. 

80

POSSESSION SWITCHES HANDS, AGAIN!

Another switch of possession with turnover after turnover forced, before Telusa Veainu breaks away and chips ahead - he's off!! 

79

TIGERS CONTINUE TO TRY THEIR HAND

The Tigers, now on half-way, look to find space and take a point from today's game but Gloucester continue to prevent any space in a strong showing in defence. 

78

TURN OVER FORCED

Tigers lose possession but, are back with it in hand after a poor clearance from Gloucester allows a quick throw from Telusa Veainu. 

77

LEICESTER CHASING A POINT

Is an away bonus point the option for Tigers, as they look to break through and close the ten-point gap? 

76

TIGERS NOW ON THE MARCH

Leicester now the side in attack inside the attacking zone, moving it side to side in a bid to break through. 

Toomua floats a pass over to the left-hand touch-line from an awaiting Brendon O'Connor, who skips down the wing and pops inside - for Gloucester to end up with it, before kicking away, and it's on the full. 

Tigers line-out, 25m out from the home side's try line. 

75

TIGERS BREAK THROUGH!

Leicester find space down the left touch-line through Brendon O'Connor, who is chopped down 40 out from the Gloucester line. 

74

END TO END ACTION

Both teams exchange kicked clearances, with limited options available as bodies tire with these heavy conditions under foot here at Kingsholm. 

73

KICK THE ONLY OPTION

Despite seemingly wanting to run it from their own end, Tigers are forced in to clearing and it's young scrum-half Harry Simmons who clears with his left foot from the base of the ruck. 

Gloucester line-out near half-way, Tigers side. 

72

TIGERS TO PLAY THEIR WAY OUT

Avoiding a clearing kick, Leicester are playing their way out of their own 22 here at Kingsholm. 

71

PRESSURE BUILDS ON TIGERS

Glaws throw it all at Tigers in attack, off the ruck, and Leicester hold strong. 

The ball goes wide to the left through the home side's hands but they knock on in the wide channel and hand over possession. 

70

BACK TO BACK PENALTIES

Another penalty hands Gloucester another chance, 5m out, and they opt for the line-out again on Tigers line. 

69

GLAWS KICK FOR THE LINE

Chasing another try, Gloucester kick for touch and move the ball wide from the line-out 5m out despite a dominance just one player earlier in a driving maul. 

68

NO ADVANTAGE PLAYED

The home side are gifted a chance inside the Tigers 22, with no advantage played from Gloucester after an infringement from Leicester at maul following the line-out being brought down. 

67

SIMMONS FORCED TO CLEAR

A turnover ends the Gloucester attack inside the Tigers 22 and scrum-half Simmons clears in to touch with a box-kick from the left-footed No.9 relieving some pressure for Leicester. 

66

PREMIERSHIP DEBUT - HARRY SIMMONS

Young scrum-half Harry Simmons is on for his Premiership Rugby debut, which follows his Anglo-Welsh and European debuts earlier in the season. 

REPLACEMENTS - TIGERS

A triple change from Tigers coach Matt O'Connor as Kyle Traynor, Pat Cilliers and Harry Simmons enter the action. 

They replace Greg Bateman, Logo Mulipola and Sam Harrison. 

66

TIGERS CLEAR THE DECKS

Sam Harrison is forced in to a rushed box-kick, finding touch on their 22m line with Gloucester to feed the line-out. 

65

FIFTEEN MINUTES REMAIN

Leicester will feed a scrum, 8m out from their own line, with 15 minutes remaining at Kingsholm and chasing their hosts who lead by 10 points. 

64

HIGH TACKLE FROM TIGERS

Leicester give away a penalty, 15m out from their line with a high tackle from Tatafu Polota-Nau. 

Gloucester don't opt to shoot for three and tap quickly, attempting to go over, however knock-on and hand back possession to Tigers. 

63

ONE BY ONE .. GLAWS MARCH ON

Gloucester are showing a patience in attack that keeps them moving forward, without any force or rush, and continue to work their way towards the Tigers line. 

62

HOME SIDE WALKING THEIR WAY FORWARD

Tigers forced in to once again scrambling in their own half as Gloucester throw it all at the Leicester line in attack, moving their way in to the attacking zone patiently. 

61

ATTACK ON SHOW

Neither side is letting the wet conditions play a part today, still one hour on from the start showing an intent to attack. 

Tigers do however knock on inside their own side of half-way in te mid-field and Gloucester will feed the scrum. 

60

ONE HOUR DOWN

We enter the final quarter of today's Premiership fixture, with Gloucester leading by 10 points, as the Kingsholm clock ticks over the one hour mark. 

REPLACEMENT - TIGERS

Gareth Owen now in to the action, in a host of changes from Leicester, as Matt Toomua moves to fly-half and Joe Ford is given an early shower after a strong performance. 

REPLACEMENT - TIGERS

Logovi'i Mulipola is back in to the action, replacing Pat Cilliers, after the sin-bin and Mat Tait also returns with Tigers back to 15 men. 

CONVERSION - GLOUCESTER

Billy Twelvetrees adds the extras from in front and extends Gloucester's lead to 10 points at Kingsholm. 

REPLACEMENT - TIGERS

Mike Williams is replaced by Luke Hamilton in the Tigers back-row. 

58

TIME OFF AT KINGSHOLM

Time off is called by JP Doyle, again prior to a conversion, as Mike Williams receives medical attention on the pitch. 

TRY - GLOUCESTER

Persistent pressure pays off for the home side as they exploit the extra man out wide, after several phases trap Tigers in the ruck, and replacement wing Matt Scott dives over to score. 

56

TIGERS BEING TESTED

The Leicester defence is being tested with Gloucester throwing everything at it here at Kingsholm. 

REPLACEMENT - TIGERS

A change forced in the front-row with Pat Cilliers in to the action, as cover for the sin-binned Logo Mulipola, as he replaces Matt Tait. 

55

CHIP AND CHASE

Gloucester try their hand with the chip and chase once again down the touch-line, but don't retain it. They do however retain possession after a messy clean-up from Tigers hands them a scrum 5m out. 

54

TIGERS LINE HOLDS STRONG

The Leicester line is holding strong as the home side pepper it with attack. 

53

SIDE TO SIDE IT GOES

The ball is certainly travelling plenty of yards today, as both side look to move it wide and quickly despite the unforgiving conditions. 

REPLACEMENTS - TIGERS

Tatafu Polota-Nau and Harry Wells are in to the game, replacing Tom Youngs and Mike Fitzgerald. 

52

GLAWS GO [TOO] WIDE

The home side shift it to their right hand side quickly, but too far and the final pass finds Row 1 of the stand. 

51

FORD FINDS TOUCH

Joe Ford clears the line and relieves the pressure, following the penalty. 

50

GLAWS FIND SPACE DOWN THE LEFT

The home side split the defence and are away down the left, before chipping ahead and a dive for the line is made by a host of players in attack and defence, however we go back for a penalty to Tigers 5m out from their own line with a tackle without the ball made by Gloucester. 

49

GLAWS EXPLOIT HOLE IN DEFENCE

With a man down in defence, Tigers struggle to contain Gloucester's attack from the re-start the home side find themselves on half-way after just two phases. 

PENALTY - GLOUCESTER

Billy Twelvetrees adds three to the Gloucester score, through a penalty from in front, and take back the lead over Tigers after 48 minutes at Kingsholm. 

YELLOW CARD - TIGERS

Logovi'i Mulipola is sent to the sin bin after a HUGE tackle on Willi Heinz, with the Tigers prop ruled to not be 10m and it deemed a professional foul preventing the Glaws attack. 

47

FISTY-CUFFS AT KINGSHOLM

There is some passion out there in the middle of the pitch, as tempers boil over after a big tackle from Logovi'i Mulipola on Willi Heinz. 

46

GLAWS MARCH FORWARD

The home side work their way 40m up field and are within striking distance of the Tigers line. 

45

RE-SET AND SET AGAIN

A re-set scrum is struggling under foot in these wet conditions at Kingsholm. 

44

TIGERS TURN IT OVER

A turn over at the ruck from Manu Tuilagi ends the Glaws attack but, just two phases on in to their counter attack and Tigers knock-on. 

43

CHANCES GOES BEGGING

The Tigers chance is gone as quick as it came after a knock-on in the middle of the pitch from Manu Tuilagi from the first phase of the set-piece. 

42

TERRITORIAL GAIN

Joe Ford shows his experience and class, following the turnover, and forces the home side in to a rushed clearance kick. Tigers line-out on the Glaws 22. 

41

TIGERS TURN IT OVER

Gloucester attack is ended as the visitors turn it over at the ruck on half-way, showing early intent in this second-half. 

40

NO CHANGES AT THE BREAK

Despite fresh new shirts for Gloucester, it seems neither side has made any changes at the break. 

SECOND-HALF UNDERWAY

Gloucester get us underway for the second chapter in this Premiership clash, with Billy Burns kicking deep before Telusa Veainu immediately clears back in to touch on half-way. 

TEAMS BACK ON TO THE PITCH

Both sides make their way back on to the Kingsholm pitch as we prepare to get the second-half underway in this Round 14 fixture, all tied up at 14-all. 

ALL TIED UP AT THE BREAK

The half time whistle is blown by referee JP Doyle and it's a 14-all scoreline at the break after an exciting and entertaining opening chapter in this Aviva Premiership clash at Kingsholm.

40

KICK FADES AWAY WIDE

The penalty attempt is unsuccessful and it remains at 14-all. 

40

TIGERS OPT FOR THREE

The visitors will attempt to go in to the break with a three-point lead as they point to the posts. 

39

NO ADVANTAGE PLAYED

Tigers are given an advantage inside the Gloucester half and Joe Ford opts for a chip kick but doesn't re-gather, however we're going back for the infringement by the home side. 

 

38

STRONG CARRY FROM TUILAGI

Manu Tuilagi has been busy in the first-half and crashes his way in to the Gloucester defenders once again. 

37

BATTERING THEIR WAY FORWARD

Tigers smash their way in to the Gloucester defence, ruck by ruck and phase by phase, but to no avail. Toomua is forced in to a kick down-field, which the home side return in kind and Tigers will again feed the line-out - this time on the half-way line. 

36

CLEARED IMMEDIATELY

No second though in receiving that re-start for Gloucester, as they clear immediately and find touch ten inside their own side of the half-way line for a Tigers throw in to the line-out. 

CONVERSION - GLOUCESTER

Billy Twelvetrees has no trouble adding the extras and we're all tied up again, at 14-all, here at Kingsholm with 35 minutes played. 

TRY - GLOUCESTER

Only a handful of phases after a mid-field break from fullback Jason Woodward, Gloucester bring it quickly to their left hand side and the centre goes over for his and the home side's second of the match in the 34th minute. 

33

HOME SIDE FIND SPACE

Gloucester fullback Jason Woodward shows his ability to cut through a defensive line, after a turnover gave them possession in the mid-field, as the No.15 sliced through.

CONVERSION - TIGERS

Ford converts his own try and Tigers double their opponents score in response to the Gloucester opener on the half hour mark after 31 minutes. 

TRY - TIGERS

Joe Ford goes over for his first Tigers try since joining last summer, after a mid-field break from Brendon O'Connor and interplay between him and Graham Kitchener saw a final pop pass for the fly-half in support to dive over untouched and take back the lead. 

30

31

Gloucester now working their way out of their own half following the re-start, with skipper Willi Heinz deciding a kick is needed as he does so himself. 

Mat Tait, now on, sends it back immediately and Gloucester return serve with a clearance through Matt Scott. 

Telusa Veainu now has space and time to attack. 

CONVERSION - GLOUCESTER

The home side level things up here at Kingsholm with former Tigers Billy Twelvetrees adding the extra two points and seeing the scoreboard read 7-all after half an hour. 

REPLACEMENT - TIGERS

Nick Malouf comes from the field, replaced by Mat Tait, and will undergo a Head Injury Assessment. 

29

TIME IS OFF

We have a break in play here at Kingsholm, before the Gloucester conversion is set to take place, as Tigers wing Nick Malouf is being attended to by medical staff from both teams with what appears to be a head knock. 

TRY - GLOUCESTER

The home side move it quickly to their left hand side in counter attack from Tigers kick and they find space down the left wing ... with the last pass finding Henry Trinder. The outside centre crosses with a dive for the line in the corner to open the home side's account in the 29th minute. 

28

GLOUCESTER KNOCK-ON

The home side lose possession a handful of phases in to their attack and Tigers have possession on half-way, only to kick it away. 

27

NOT TWICE FROM TELUSA

On the back of a strong clearance from Gloucester, Veainu is again given a chance to find touch but does so on the full. 

The home side feed the line-out 30 out from the Tigers line. 

26

KICK AND KICK AGAIN

The aerial ping pong battle continues here at Kingsholm as the home side clear their half only for Telusa Veainu to do the same from deep inside the Tigers 22, with a brilliant touch-finder bouncing over the touch-line on the Gloucester 22 for the home side to feed the line-out. 

25

TIGERS TURN IT OVER

A strong rush defence in their own 22 from Leicester forces Gloucester to lose possession and Tigers kick it deep in to the home side's half, before they do the same a few phases after their own counter attack is underway. 

Both teams seeking territory here, late in the opening half as Sam Harrison then sends the third clearing kick in two minutes down field. 

24

FORD FINDS TOUCH .. BUT BALL IS LOST

Leicester find touch inside the Gloucester 22 for a line-out but lose possession at the jump and the home side go on the attack from their own half. 

Two phases on and a midfield break from the home side sees them inside the Tigers 22. 

23

ATTACKING PENALTY BLOWN

The Gloucester back-line look to execute a set move from the scrum inside the Tigers half but the skipper Willi Heinz is penalised as he travels by an obstructing team mate. Penalty to Leicester. 

22

TIGERS GIVE IT AWAY

A kick away hands Gloucester an attacking chance on the half-way line and they go on the march down field, with a ruck called up 10 inside the Tigers half for a scrum to the home side. 

21

TOO QUICK FOR THEMSELVES

Gloucester rush Tigers in defence and make their own error in the process, handing Tigers a scrum 10 inside their side of half-way. 

20

GLOUCESTER CLEAR THEIR LINES

With no hesitation, the home side send it deep in to the Tigers half with a clearing kick to relieve the pressure. 

19

FORD FORCED TO KICK

The Tigers are forced in to a kick for territory as Joe Ford sends it to the sky, out-wide to left for a chasing Adam Thompstone. 

The Leicester wing can't take it, Gloucester line-out just outside their 22m line. 

18

GLOUCESTER DEFENDING STRONGLY

The home side defend their goal-line strongly, forcing Tigers back with a rushed line putting the pressure on the visiting backs. 

17

MANU WITH FIRST BIG RUN

Manu Tuilagi in to the action with a big run, charging in to the Gloucester defence off the set-piece. 

16

O'CONNOR ENDS THE ATTACK

The home side give away their territorial advantage, ending the Gloucester attack with a penalty given to Tigers for a non-release by the home side at the ruck. 

Ford fins touch on the Glaws 22m line. 

15

TIGERS ALLOW EASY METRES

The visitors give away easy yards for Gloucester with a penalty at the line-out allowing them to kick for the line and in to the Tigers half. 

14

TIGERS ON THE ATTACK MID-FIELD

The visitors are now on the attack on the half-way line, mid-field here at Kingsholm, as they patiently work their way forward off the ruck. 

Several phases in to the march and fly-half Joe Ford drops one on the toe and it dribbles out over the touchline on the Gloucester 22 for a line-out to the home side. 

CONVERSION - TIGERS

Joe Ford has no trouble from in front and Tigers lead Gloucester 7-0 after 13 minutes at Kingsholm. 

TRY - TIGERS

Nick Malouf goes over, running the ball in from more than 60m after an intercept ended the Gloucester attack and the visitors are on the board first after 12 minutes. 

11

DOUBLE KNOCK-ON

Both sides knock-on, killing the other's advantage off in the mid-field and play goes on, as Gloucester bring it to their left-hand side. 

WAIT ... INTERCEPT! Nick Malouf has taken the last pass by the home side from 65m out and is racing towards the try-line!! 

10

HOME SIDE PLAYING IT PATIENTLY

Gloucester working it forward following the mid-field scrum, ruck by ruck, as directed by captain Willi Heinz. 

9

TELUSA IN TO THE GAME

In his first match since breaking his jaw against Munster on December 9, Tongan fullback Telusa Veainu gets involved wide off the back of a set-piece but a last pass for Nick Malouf goes to ground. 

Gloucester scrum on half-way. 

8

RUCK AND RUCK AGAIN

The home side, much to the enjoyment of their home fans, work their way forward ruck by ruck before a spill on the fourth phase hands the Tigers a scrum feed just 3 metres inside their own side of the half-way line. 

7

TERRITORY SEEKING TIGERS

No questions from Tigers there, they send it deep and in to touch from the set-piece. 

Gloucester line-out just inside their own side of half-way. 

6

STRONG KICK AND CHASE FROM TIGERS

A Sam Harrison box-kick is taken at the back by Gloucester but a strong chase from Nick Malouf traps the home side in their own half. 

They move it quickly from the first phase, before find some space only to kick it away deep in to the Tigers half and in to touch. Tigers line-out, inside their own 22. 

5

WIDER AND WIDER IT GOES

Again, despite the rain and slow conditions, Gloucester show a want to attack as they send it wide from the scrum deep in their own half and find space on the right-hand side flank. 

Tigers force a turnover though, kicking back in to Gloucester's half for the home side to send it in to touch. 

Tigers line-out, 10 inside their own half. 

4

FORCED PASS COMES UNDONE

Matt Toomua finds a half-break through the Gloucester line but offers a forced pass in space, which goes to ground, from the line-out and Gloucester will feed the scrum near their own 22. 

3

3

Gloucester now the side looking to play fast and wide, as they bring back a counter attack opportunity to the left touch-line but the last pass is in to touch. Tigers line-out, 40 out from the home side's line. 

2

TIGERS SHOW INTENT TO GO WIDE

An early indication of the Tigers mentality today is shown as the visitors spin the ball wide to the left, including a brilliant ball from Matt Toomua, after Gloucester kicked away possession in a bid for territory a few phases on from the kick-off. 

WE'RE UNDERWAY!

Joe Ford sends it deep to kick-off today's Round 14 Aviva Premiership action!! 

0

TIGERS TO KICK-OFF

The visitors will kick off in today's clash.

0

TOMMY LEADS TIGERS ON TO THE PITCH

Tom Youngs leads out the Tigers side here at Kingsholm, followed by the home side, as we now prepare for kick-off!

0

COMING TO YOU LIVE FROM KINGSHOLM

Welcome to Kingsholm for today's Aviva Premiership clash between Gloucester Rugby and Leicester Tigers in Round 14 of this season's all-English competition! 


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Jason Woodward
14
Tom Marshall
13
12
Billy Twelvetrees
11
Ollie Thorley
10
Billy Burns
9
Willi Heinz
1
2
3
John Afoa
4
Tom Savage
5
Mariano Galarza
6
Jake Polledri
7
Lewis Ludlow
8
Ruan Ackermann

Replacements

16
17
Cameron Orr
18
Fraser Balmain
19
Ed Slater
20
Freddie Clarke
21
Ben Vellacott
22
Mark Atkinson
23
Matt Scott

Match preview: Gloucester versus Tigers

Telusa Veainu tries to escape from the Gloucester defence in the Welford Road meeting this season
Telusa Veainu tries to escape from the Gloucester defence in the Welford Road meeting this season

Leicester Tigers and Gloucester Rugby meet for a third time this season at Kingsholm in Round 14 of the Aviva Premiership season.

The clubs met at Welford Road back in September when Tigers notched a first win of the Premiership season thanks to tries from Ben Youngs (2) and Nick Malouf, and followed up with an Anglo-Welsh Cup victory in November when Jonah Holmes, Charlie Thacker and Adam Thompstone provided the scores.

That cup result levelled the overall scores in more than a century of rivalry with 106 each from 220 meetings, with eight matches drawn. Tigers make the trip to Kingsholm for a 108th time this weekend with 29 previous wins there.

Gloucester dropped from fourth to fifth place in the Premiership table overnight after a win for Bath against Northampton and have eight wins from 13 games. They are currently on 38 points, six more than eighth-placed Tigers.

In team news announced on Friday, Tigers welcome back Telusa Veainu, Manu Tuilagi and club captain Tom Youngs after injury, while Brendon O’Connor makes his 50th appearance for the club. England players Dan Cole, Jonny May and George Ford are on Six Nations duty, while Tigers also have six players away with Under-20s.

Former Leicester duo Fraser Balmain and Ed Slater are included among the Gloucester replacements and Billy Twelvetrees starts at centre, though there is no place for Owen Williams who has been released from the Wales squad.

Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said: “The competition is so tight and a lot of teams have to play each other so there will be lots of to-ing and fro-ing, but we are six points behind Gloucester and cannot afford to lose too much ground. We have to stay in touch with the top four.

“Gloucester are a good side, they scrum well, they get pay from field position and from that perspective we have to be accurate and improve the things that have hurt us and look after the ball in those key moments.”

Tigers will be in the club’s white alternate kit at Kingsholm.

Referee for Saturday is JP Doyle.

Kick-off is at 2.30pm. This game is not scheduled for live TV coverage.

Keep up with all of the action using the Matchday Live service on the Tigers website and app.

The team return to home ground next Saturday (February 17) for the visit of Harlequins. Match tickets are available now. Book in person, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or online.

Team news: Tigers return to league duty

Figure image

Telusa Veainu and Manu Tuilagi return to the Leicester Tigers backline for Saturday’s Aviva Premiership fixture away to Gloucester Rugby (2.30pm).

Veainu and Tuilagi are included after their recovery from injury as Tigers resume league action with the Round 14 trip to Kingsholm.

Tom Youngs also returns to captain the team, joining Greg Bateman and Logovi’i Mulipola in the Tigers front row.

Brendon O’Connor makes his 50th appearance for the club since his arrival in November 2015.

“Having Telusa and Manu back has been a real positive around the place and gives us more options in the backline,” said head coach Matt O’Connor.

“We have a big challenge and we have to make sure we are bang-on for Saturday. The competition is still very tight and every point will be at a premium.”

Leicester Tigers (v Gloucester, away, Saturday 2.30pm)

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Nick Malouf

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Matt Toomua

11 Adam Thompstone

10 Joe Ford

9 Sam Harrison

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Logovi’i Mulipola

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Mike Williams

7 Brendon O’Connor

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Kyle Traynor

18 Pat Cilliers

19 Harry Wells

20 Luke Hamilton

21 Harry Simmons

22 Gareth Owen

23 Mathew Tait

After missing the past four matches, Willi Heinz returns to captain Gloucester Rugby with the Leicester Tigers the visitors to Kingsholm in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday (kick off 2:30pm).

After European Rugby Challenge Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup action over the past four weeks, it’s back to domestic duties and the Aviva Premiership for the Cherry and Whites.

Heinz returns to lead a side which features none of the starting line-up from last Saturday’s Anglo-Welsh-Cup fixture away at Newcastle.

Gloucester are currently in fourth place in the Aviva Premiership table and are six points ahead of the eighth-placed Tigers. So, a home win would extend that gap, but Leicester were triumphant in the two previous meetings this season, both at Welford Road.

Head Coach Johan Ackermann acknowledged this week that it’s the first of an important block of matches, and that Leicester missing a few players on international duty won’t make much of a difference to the overall strength of the Tigers.

“We played them early in the season, not long after I arrived. That particular day we made a lot of simple errors. A few months later, I think both teams have developed, there have been some changes in personnel etc.

“It’s a block of four games and it’s important that we don’t fall into the trap of targetting games or putting more emphasis on one game over another. When we had a good run before Christmas, we only focused on the next training session, the next game.

“The quality they have in their squad is still such that the can beat any side. We also went through a period when we had a lot of players unavailable, and we actually did really well.

“They’re missing four players out of a squad of 30 plus players. They’ll have planned for that and prepared for that. They’re missing world-class players, but we can’t think that will do the job for us. Whoever comes in will be good enough, they wouldn’t be at the Tigers otherwise.”

Gloucester Rugby: 15 Jason Woodward, 14 Tom Marshall, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Ollie Thorley, 10 Billy Burns, 9 Willi Heinz (c); 1 Josh Hohneck, 2 James Hanson, 3 John Afoa; 4 Tom Savage, 5 Mariano Galarza; 6 Jake Polledri, 7 Lewis Ludlow, 8 Ruan Ackermann
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu’u, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Ed Slater, 20 Freddie Clarke, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Mark Atkinson, 23 Matt Scott

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
5
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI2213095374726561555663
7
Gloucester Rugby
Gloucester RugbyGLO2211110490597-10765738256
Form Guide
Form
LLWWW
Last Match
Beat Cornish Pirates 36-28
Past Meeting
Lost 26-29
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WWWLL
Last Match
Lost to Coventry 19-33
Past Meeting
Won 29-26

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Leicester Tigers17
Leicester Tigers
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