Leicester Tigers returned to Gallagher Premiership action with a 24-18 victory over Saracens at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Following a fixture-less fortnight, Richard Wigglesworth’s side hosted the league-leading London outfit in the final match for Round 17 on Sunday afternoon.

The game doubled as a milestone match for several members of the Leicester squad, including Mike Brown on debut and George Martin making his 50th Tigers appearance.

Jimmy Gopperth, who started at inside-centre, ran out for his 200th Premiership appearance in a milestone-midfield alongside Matt Scott in his 50th start for the club.

The home side clicked into gear almost immediately and, just five minutes into the game, Handré Pollard dived over from close range, one pass off the ruck, after a rampaging run from Jasper Wiese had the visitors scrambling at the back.

The fly-half converted his own try to see the lead at 7-0 after six minutes.

Only five minutes later and Brown set off from near halfway with a winding run which set up an opportunity yards from the Saracens line, which Cameron Henderson took when he ran a short line off Ben Youngs from the base of the ruck.

Pollard’s second conversion extend the lead to 14 after only 12 minutes, which was cut back to 11 when Alex Goode landed a long-range penalty-goal to get his side on the scoreboard.

Brown continued to prove a threat at the back, much to the enjoyment of Mattioli Woods Welford Road, and was rewarded when he crossed on the end of some quick, slick hands down the right-hand touchline.

A third successful conversion for Pollard extended the lead to 18 points after almost half an hour before he added three more shortly after  to take it out to 21 points, 24-3, with two minutes left in the half.

Ill-discipline from the home side welcomed Saracens into Leicester’s half with the clock winding down and the visitors managed to find their way over when front-rower Eroni Mawi scored with the clock in the red.

Goode’s conversion cut the difference to 14 points, seeing Tigers ahead 24-10 at the break.

The second-half start was less than ideal for Leicester when they turned over the kick-off and, just minutes later, found themselves camped on their line with Saracens on the attack.

However, in a sign of what was to come, Tigers held off wave after wave of attack from the league-leaders to force a turnover through a goal-line re-start.

Goode added three, making it an 11-point difference, with a penalty before Leicester appeared to be heading towards a fourth-try of their own and potential bonus-point.

However, against the run of play, a pass went to ground deep inside the Saracens half and was pounced upon by the visitors and run in from distance by Alex Lewington.

Goode’s conversion attempt was wide but the try meant it was a single digit difference with only half an hour remaining.

Saracens enjoyed the bulk of possession for the remainder of the game but were unable to break the Tigers defensive line, much to the delight of the Tigers faithful who willed their side on as they battled bravely to secure the six-point, 24-18 win.