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Report | Tigers hold out fast finishing Saracens

Figure image

Leicester Tigers held on for a three-point, 29-32, win over Saracens in Round 6 of the Gallagher Premiership.

Both sides were without a handful of England internationals for the meeting, away in Spain preparing for the upcoming Autumn Test matches, but there were still plenty of stars on show in North London.

However, the home team was forced into two late changes during the warm-up with prop Marco Riccioni and fly-half Alex Goode ruled out through injury. Alec Clarey and Tim Swiel were promoted from the bench for the pair, with Ollie Hoskins and Brandon Jackson added to the replacements.

For Tigers, the experienced duo of Anthony Watson and Mike Brown were included in the back-three after missing the Slater Cup win over Gloucester Rugby at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Round 5, while Tom Manz made his debut Premiership start in the second row and Tom Whiteley started at scrum-half.

One of those stars on show, Handré Pollard, who will feature in the Autumn for South Africa, got the match underway in front of a sold-out StoneX Stadium. 

Damp conditions wreaked havoc in the opening minutes, with seven errors before the first points were scored, in the 14th minute, when the Leicester fly-half opened the Tigers account for the day with a long-range penalty goal to make it 3-0.

Saracens hit back just two minutes later, when Nick Tompkins was gifted a perfectly-weighted pop pass from a falling Tom Willis - who snuck through the ruck defence for a line break - and the Welsh international ran it in under the posts untouched to score.

Swiel, the late call-up for Goode, converted to see the home team lead 7-3.

While the StoneX Stadium crowd was still celebrating their side's opener, Leicester returned serve to take back the lead and the silence the Saracens faithful.

Whiteley moved the ball from the base of ruck quickly and into the hands of Joseph Woodward down the blind side and the young Leicester centre dropped the ball on to the toe for a neatly-placed grubber that was toed ahead by Ollie Hassell-Collins, who outpaced his opposite number to retrieve the ball and dive over.

Pollard, from the left hand touchline, added the extras from the tee to make Leicester's lead three points, 7-10, after 20 minutes.

That lead was extended again just three minutes later when Watson plucked a Whitely box-kick out of the hands of Tom Parton and pushed his way through the first attempts at bringing him to the floor.

Saracens finally managed to bring Watson to a halt before Leicester, patiently, set up for another attack. Joe Heyes was the first to take on the defence before Brown, in at first receiver, shifted it wide on the second phase to Pollard and the fly-half bulleted it out to Izaia Perese.

The Australian, much to the enjoyment of the travelling army of Tigers fans dotted throughout StoneX Stadium, stepped off the left foot and fended Tobias Elliott in a bullying fashion to the floor before running it in for Leicester’s second.

Pollard was unable to convert from out wide, meaning his side’s lead remained at eight points after 24 minutes.

While the first 15 minutes was unable to get the scoreboard attendant up off his stool, the next 15 didn’t involved him sitting down, with Saracens crossing for their second just one minute shy of the half hour mark.

A break from Juan Martin Gonzalez from just inside the Leicester half set up the chance and the back-rower offloaded for Swiel in support who swan-dived over to cut the deficit to three points, before he cut it to one, 14-15, with another successful conversion.

Just shy of the half-time break and the home side moved back into the lead with Swiel adding three from the tee to make it 17-15, where it looked like it would remain, before a 50:22 from Hassell-Collins in the 39th minute set up Tigers for a chance to steal back the lead.

Ill-discipline from the home side at the set piece gave Leicester successive penalties - and chances at the line out - from deep inside the Saracens half. On the second attempt the lead was stolen by the visitors when, after TMO review, a penalty try was awarded and Saracens prop Alec Clarey shown yellow for his part in bringing down the Tigers maul.

With the seven points added, without a conversion required, Tigers headed into the break ahead of their hosts, 17-22, following an entertaining first-half.

After a half-time break at Saracens HQ which included beach balls, dance tracks and t-shirt cannons, the first to fire a shot in the second-half was Tigers.

When a grubber from Pollard was deflected on its way through the Saracens line, his teammates were placed onside and Julián Montoya swooped on the cover defence, winning a penalty at the breakdown and revving his fellow Tigers up deep in the hosts end.

Pollard found touch and, at the ensuing line out, the maul went to work before Montoya, the man who started it, finished off the move by touching it down for his side’s fourth. Pollard converted his skipper’s try to make it a 12-point, 17-29, difference in the 48th minute.

Online a minute later and Leicester were celebrating a fifth try but a second for Hassell-Collins was denied following a TMO review showing a knock-on and offside in the lead up from Tigers, which gifted Saracens a penalty back on halfway and chance to kick for the line in the Tigers end.

The home side were unable to capitalise though, being forced into an error in attack through the ruthless try-line defence of Tigers, which meant it remained a 12-point difference with half an hour left in North London.

A penalty to Saracens, against the feed, at scrum time, presented the home team with an opportunity from close range and they looked to have taken it from the line out to follow. However the TMO again came over the top and, on review, it showed a knock-on from the scoring attempt, letting Leicester off the hook.

Michael Cheika went to his bench with 25 minutes to go at StoneX Stadium, adding Ben Youngs, who for more than a decade hasn’t appeared in the final league fixture before the Autumn Test window, and Matt Rogerson for the back-rower’s first appearance of the 24/25 campaign.

Soon thereafter and Leicester extend their lead again, this time through the boot of Pollard with a 35m penalty-goal, to make it a 15-point game, 17-32.

Saracens threatened to cut the deficit on the hour mark when Theo McFarland latched on to a chip kick and offloaded for replacement scrum-half Gareth Simpson, who had a clear run to the line. However, Perese, in cover, tracked Simpson and forced him into knocking on in the tackle.

Fittingly, with Mr Worldwide blasting through the speakers, Will Hurd entered the game in place of Joe Heyes. Hurd, who is an avid Pitbull listener in the gym and during his down time, will link up with Scotland for the Autumn after debuting in the Test arena over the summer.

As the clock ticked over into the final 15 minutes at StoneX Stadium, Saracens closed the gap to set up an exciting finish for the sold out crowd.

A break from Willis down the right flank resulted in the No8 being cut down only inches from the line before his fellow back-rower Gonzalez picked up the ball at the back of the ruck and dived over to score and make it a ten-point, 22-32, game.

With just ten minutes remaining, Cheika cleared his bench with the injection of Charlie Clare, James Cronin and Côme Joussain in the pack, as well as Jamie Shillcock and Will Wand in the backline.

The new inclusions for Tigers were tested immediately, deep inside their half, and succumbed to the pressure from Saracens, who scored from close range - through replacement James Hadfield - after multiple phases one off the ruck and converted the try to cut the gap to three, 29-32, with only six minutes on the clock.

A frantic five minutes followed, with Saracens chasing down the lead and Tigers looking to hold on to theirs, with the latter prevailing to see Cheika’s side end the first league block of the season with five wins from six outings.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

SAR 17-22 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

SAR 29-32 LEI

Attendance

Not available

Referee

Matthew Carley

Saracens
Saracens
29

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
32
Saracens
T
C
T
C
P
T
T
C
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
P
T
C
T
T
T
C
P

Match Stats

Saracens
Leicester Tigers
Possession
47%
53%
Territory
48%
52%
Penalties Conceded
13
9
Yellow Cards
1
0
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
140/167 84%
153/178 86%
Scrums Won
4/4 100%
9/10 90%
Lineouts Won
13/16 81%
13/15 87%

Player Stats

Saracens
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Mike Brown
14Anthony Watson
13Izaia Perese1T
12Joseph Woodward
11Ollie Hassell-Collins1T
10Handre Pollard2C2P
9Tom Whiteley
1Nicky Smith
2Julian Montoya1T
3Joe Heyes
4Harry Wells
5Tom Manz
6Hanro Liebenberg
7Tommy Reffell
8Olly Cracknell
16Charlie Clare
17James Cronin
18Will Hurd
19Come Joussain
20Matt Rogerson
21Ben Youngs
22Jamie Shillcock
23Will Wand

Commentary

FULL TIME AT THE STONEX STADIUM

Leicester Tigers win away at the StoneX for the first time in over six years with a five-try, bonus point victory.

Final score: Saracens 29 - 32 Leicester Tigers

79

CLOCK IN THE RED

A destructive tackle from Cracknell, still travelling at 100 mph in the 80th minute forces a turnover in open play as they smashes Willis and Tigers then kick long.

Saracens come again but they knock on and, with the clock in the red, there's a Leicester scrum.

79

TURNOVER TO SARACENS

The maul is defended well and then Willis gets over the ball to turn it over.

Now the hosts attack from their own half, with a line out on the half way line.

76

SUPERB SCRUM

An absolutely outstanding shove in the dying minutes earns Leicester another scrum penalty and keep Saracens pinned in their own half.

Pollard again kicks to touch and allows a line out right on the try line. 

74

TRADING POSSESSION

Saracens lock Theo McFarland springs highest in successive line outs to steal the ball for the hosts and get them out of danger.

Hassell-Collins collects well on a box kick before Youngs then clears; however, the ball goes straight out and Saracens have a line out on halfway, where Wells steals the ball, affording Tigers a scrum.

74

VITAL TURNOVER

Reprieve is granted after Youngs gets right over the ball to force a turnover.

With a penalty just inside halfway there's a decision to make and Pollard opts to go for the corner; a beautiful kick gives Tigers a line out just a couple of metres out.

CONVERSION | SARACENS

Swiel adds the extras and it's now a three point game.

TRY | SARACENS

The hosts get the try bonus point and make these final ten minutes very interesting.

Josh Hallett drives over after successive tight carries from his side.

SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER

Montoya, Manz, Woodward and Brown are replaced by Clare, Joussain, Wand and Shillcock respectively.

 Saracens have made a break from deep here and Tigers need another to sustain another period of relentless defence.

66

CONVERSION MISSED | SARACENS

Swiel misses the conversion and thus it remains a ten point lead to Tigers.

Less than fifteen minutes remain here.

TRY | SARACENS

Once again, Tom Willis and Juan Martin Gonzalez are integral.

It's the former who starts it off, bouncing off one tackle and storming the line.

Hassell-Collins tracks back to drag him down but Gonzalez then picks, drives and touches down for the hosts third try of the game.

61

CANNY DEFENDING BY YOUNGS

Saracens have a chance here as Theo McFarland makes a break, using his rangy limbs to dig out an offload to Saracens scrum half Gareth Simpson; Youngs spots this early however and sprints back to cover, drag down Simpson and grant his side an opportunity to turn the ball over.

SUBSTITUTIONS | TIGERS

James Cronin and Will Hurd are on in the front row, as is Matt Rogerson.

PENALTY | Handré Pollard

No mistake this time from Pollard.

Play is called back and the fly half smashes a penalty over the posts.

56

POLLARD MISSES DROP GOAL

The last few minutes of phases are all dictated from Youngs at the base, Tigers take their time, building phases through physicality into the Saracens 22.

Eventually, the ball comes out the back to Pollard in the pocket but the Springbok pulls his drop goal attempt just wide.

SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS

Ben Youngs is on for Tom Whiteley.

51

AMAZING DEFENCE

Throughout this season we have seen tremendous defensive resilience on their own line; once again, Tigers have stayed fighting through a battering in the loose, a barrage of bodies unable to break the line.

Over three separate attempts from five metres out Tigers survive and eventually Pollard can clear back to halfway. Saracens take the line out quick but Reffell suddenly is straight over it, ripping it away and forcing the turnover that finally grants the visitors possession.

48

TRY DISALLOWED | OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS

The wing almost gets an opportunistic score to add to the bonus point.

The ball falling at his feet following contact, Hassell-Collins boots long and gathers to score; however it's eventually ruled out due to a knock on in the tackle.

CONVERSION | Handré Pollard

Pollard notches his fourth kick of the match to extend the lead to 12 points.

TRY | Julián Montoya

Our captain starts and finishes this score.

It's Montoya's turnover that leads to the line out, Montoya's perfect throw to Wells to get the maul going and Montoya's placement at the back to secure the try and extend the Leicester lead.

44

TIGERS SO CLOSE

Tigers defend well from the Saracens line out, not giving an inch before forcing a speculative grubber through from Alex Goode.

When the ball bounces out, they win a penalty at the maul and kick long for a line out inside Saracens half.

Hassell-Collins goes up initially before Cracknell, ever the workhorse, carries hard again. Woodward's pop pass then releases Perese on a brilliant break, losing the ball just at the line.

Saracens then try t play out from their own tryline but Tigers win it back. Pollard puts through a nice kick; it's gathered by the hosts but Montoya is straight over the ball and forces the penalty.

An attacking line out just five metres out now!

 

WE'RE BACK UNDERWAY

Saracens kick us off and the second half begins.

Whiteley clears the ball back to half way.

HALF TIME AT THE STONEX STADIUM

Tigers lead at the break following tries from Hassell-Collins, Perese and a late penalty try.

Half time score: Saracens 17 - 22 Leicester Tigers

YELLOW CARD | SARACENS

Clarey is shown to the sin bin.

PENALTY TRY | LEICESTER TIGERS

Initially the maul rumbles on but Saracens are called for offside after finally pushing Tigers into touch.

At the second time of asking, Wells is then thrown the ball and Leicester drive it over.

There's discussion amongst the officials regarding grounding and a potential offence; eventually it's ruled as illegally brought down by Saracens prop Alec Clarey and thus a penalty try is awarded.

 

39

MASSIVE 50.22

Ollie Hassell-Collins hands Tigers a late chance with a booming boot from well inside his own half, the ball bouncing right before the touchline and out.

A perfect kick and an attacking maul.

PENALTY | SARACENS

Saracens take the lead with just a handful of minutes before half time.

Tim Swiel dispatches the penalty from the left hand side.

35

FORWARDS WORKING HARD

Tigers earn their way to the ten metre line but are cruelly turned over after a cavalcade of carries.

It all starts with a tap and go from Cracknell before virtually all of the pack, Smith, Heyes, Wells, Montoya as well as Anthony Watson carry in before Reffell, ironically, sees the ball ripped from his grasp following the collision, Tommy Turnover getting a taste of his own signature move. 

31

POLLARD PROBES THE LINE

A stylish kick through from Pollard is agonisingly close to bouncing into the hands of Hassell-Collins before a second one, a few phases later, is inches away from Anthony Watson.

The hosts continue to probe this Saracens defence with a barrage of attacking options.

CONVERSION | TIM SWIEL

Swiel then adds the extras to his score and Saracens are within a point of Tigers.

TRY | SARACENS

A true end-to-end game.

Now it's Saracens turn to fly through to the line. Argentine flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez creates this from virtually nothing, hitting an outrageous dummy to then slip through the defence on halfway.

He puts on the afterburners but is caught around 15 metres out, his offload finding substitute Tim Swiel who can score unopposed (with one of the more interesting variations of the 'Ash Splash' you'll see).

25

CONVERSION MISSEDN | Handré Pollard

Pollard shoots just wide.

TRY | IZAIA PERESE

This is an absolutely dynamite try from the centre

Watson claims a high ball superbly before breaking upfield. The ball is recycled rapidly from Whiteley before Cracknell and Heyes crash up.

The ball is then played out to the backs and Pollard whips a big miss pass over the top to Perese. The centre has two men to beat but steps past one before hitting an explosive hand off on Elliot, blowing the wing away and allowing the Wallabie to jog over joyously.

CONVERSION | Handré Pollard

Pollard adds the extras, again on the angle, and Tigers regain their three point lead.

TRY | OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS

Now Leicester reply confidently!

Less than a minute later, Tigers bite back; Joseph Woodward pokes through a grubber kick and Saracens wing Tobias Elliot just can't gather it, Hassell-Collins instead nipping in and dribbling the ball to the line to then touch down.

CONVERSION | SARACENS

Saracens add the extras to extend their lead.

TRY | NICK TOMPKINS

The hosts reply confidently.

It's No.8 Tom Willis who causes chaos with a break after a pick and go at the ruck, his intelligent offload finding Tompkins who can stroll home unopposed.

PENALTY | Handré Pollard

Tigers earn successive penalties, first at the scrum and then from an over-eager Saracens defence. 

From around thirty yards, Pollard confidently strikes the ball through at a slight angle and gets Leicester on the board for the first points of the game.

7

POSSESSION TRADED EARLY

An interception from Ivan van Zyl sees the hosts win the ball back, starting a ping pong sequence of possesion bouncing between both sides.

Highlights of this period include Mike Brown confidently claiming a second box kick of the match, a near-miss on a crossfield kick from Pollard and another strong scrum, this time in attack, for Leicester. 

3

SCRUM PENALTY EARNED

Both teams trade possession after launching ambitious early attacks.

Firstly, Tigers broke down the right hand side through Perese before a turnover lead Saracens to build physically before knocking on.

First scrum of the match once again sees Tigers earn a penalty, the front row trio of Nicky Smith, captain Julián Montoya and Joe Heyes flexing their muscles.

KICK OFF

The smoke from the pyrotechnics has settled, now the fireworks can begin.

Handré Pollard gets us underway with a deep kick into Saracens territory. 

-10

Key Tigers Statistics

  • Olly Cracknell made 25 carries against Gloucester – as many as a player has made in a match so far this season.
  • Julian Montoya was successful with all 17 of his lineout throws against Gloucester - the most successful throws without missing one in a match this season.
  • Tigers have won 12 scrum penalties this season and conceded just five penalties – both league-leading figures.

Get the full picture ahead of this fixture with the Match Preview by CLICKING HERE.

-15

TEAM NEWS

Up front, Tom Manz gets set for his first ever Premiership start following a victorious debut last week against Gloucester Rugby.

In the backs, Tom Whiteley, Izaia Perese and Mike Brown return to the starting line up. 

-30

HALF AN HOUR TO GO!

There's just thirty minutes to go till Leicester Tigers return to Gallagher Premiership action!

London's StoneX Stadium plays host to Tigers today as they face Saracens. So take your seat, tune into TNT Sports 1 to watch along or stay here on Matchday Live for all the updates. 


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Tom Parton
14
Tobias Elliott
13
Lucio Cinti
12
Nick Tompkins
11
Rotimi Segun
10
Tim Swiel
9
Ivan van Zyl
1
Eroni Mawi
2
Kapeli Pifeleti
3
Alec Clarey
4
Theo McFarland
5
Hugh Tizard
6
Juan Martin Gonzalez
7
Toby Knight
8
Tom Willis

Replacements

16
James Hadfield
17
Phil Brantingham
18
Oli Hoskins
19
Harry Wilson
20
Nathan Michelow
21
Gareth Simpson
22
Josh Hallett
23
Brandon Jackson

Team News | Brown at fullback, Rogerson returns against Saracens

Figure image

Leicester Tigers have named their matchday squad for round six of the Gallagher Premiership against Saracens at StoneX Stadium in London.

Saturday’s fixture sees Mike Brown, Tom Whiteley and Tom Manz get their first league starts of the season, Manz making his Gallagher Premiership debut in last week’s win against Gloucester.

Flanker Matt Rogerson makes his return to Tigers matchday squad, the former London Irish skipper having made 17 appearances last season.

Leicester Tigers head coach, Michael Cheika said: “The opportunity is over the next couple of games, even though they are at either end of the [Gallagher Premiership] break. 

“The first one to Saracens who are an excellent team. I am really going to enjoy these couple of games.

"These guys are getting an opportunity to play in a big game for us and I am sure they will take it."

STARTING XV

15 Mike Brown [28]

14 Anthony Watson [21]

13 Izaia Perese [3]

12 Joseph Woodward [12]

11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [27]

10 Handré Pollard [35]

9 Tom Whiteley [30]

1 Nicky Smith [5]

2 Julián Montoya [61]

3 Joe Heyes [145]

4 Harry Wells [204]

5 Tom Manz [7]

6 Hanro Liebenberg [112]

7 Tommy Reffell [119]

8 Olly Cracknell [47]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Charlie Clare [100]

17 James Cronin [38]

18 Will Hurd [42]

19 Côme Joussain [3]

20 Matt Rogerson [17]

21 Ben Youngs [318]

22 Jamie Shillcock [30]

23 Will Wand [3]

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
2
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI65011591075222153124
4
Saracens
SaracensSAR64021851503523205223
Form Guide
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