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Report | Tigers win at Saracens in Cup

Leicester Tigers scored seven tries in a 45-8 win over Saracens In the pool stages of the Premiership Rugby Cup on Saturday.

The visitors opened the scoring with a try from wing Marcus Ramage and added two more from skipper Sean Jansen and then Cameron Henderson to lead 19-8 at half-time.

Jansen added his second after the break to secure a bonus point as Tigers hunted only a third win on their travels to Saracen’s StoneX Stadium home and more followed from front-row replacements Francois van wyk and Tom Horton (2).

The withdrawal of both Wasps and Worcester Warriors since the opening rounds has posed some questions around the Cup format, though Sale Sharks qualified for the semi-finals as Pool B winners following a win over Harlequins on Friday evening. There was, however, still potential for Tigers to claim the best runner-up spot across the three pools with a win.

In the day’s 1.00pm kick-off, back-rower Jansen led out Tigers as captain for the first time, with Charlie Atkinson given a first start following his mid-season arrival.

The competition provides valuable opportunities for young players, with Tigers including Emeka Ilione, Sam Edwards, Joshua Manz, Joseph Woodward and Jed Walsh from the senior academy set-up in a visiting team wearing change colours of red and white.

Saracens named a young team too and had to make a late change as lock Cameroon Boon was withdrawn from the forward pack. His captain, hooker Ethan Lewis, left the field after just two minutes due to injury, though the hosts had the majority of early possession.

The first scrum, on 10 minutes, brought a penalty for Tigers but, playing with advantage, they quickly made advances with an Atkinson chip which Woodward took on before Walsh picked up and on-loan Ramage dived on loose ball to score the opening points.

A penalty on halfway took Sarries forward again but they were held out until Ramage picked off a long pass out wide, though he was unable to take it cleanly. The hosts used their set-piece to build pressure but then knocked-on just 10 metres out.

Tigers dealt with another phased attack but then, after clearing up to halfway, conceded a score as Saracens fly-half Tobias Elliott got on the end of a move down the touchline to level the scores on 20 minutes.

Strong counter-rucking after James Whitcombe closed down Sarries near the touchline brought a Tigers penalty and some phases in possession until referee Joe James rewarded the opposition for their work on the floor.

More strong rucking won turnover ball on halfway but the Sarries defence forced Phil Cokanasiga into touch just as he looked for support 20 metres out.

Hosea Saumaki broke a couple of tackles to get Tigers forward again and Tom Cowan-Dickie latched on to untidy ball on halfway to allow the visitors to build in possession, finally bringing a penalty just short of the tryline on the right.

Skipper-for-the-day Jansen opted for the scrum and controlled ball before making the final few steps on his own and the conversion from Atkinson made it 12-5.

An Elliott penalty took three points off that deficit but Tigers quickly got back on the scoreboard, with Henderson beating three defenders on the way to the tryline next to the posts. The conversion made it 19-8 in Tigers’ favour just short of half-time.

Tigers kept that lead intact as Snyman stole lineout ball in defence and Cowan-Dickie dropped on loose ball near the tryline, allowing Atkinson to bring the half to a close.

Atkinson pinned Sarries back at the restart with a left-footed jab to the corner and Snyman stole lineout ball again, but when Tigers stole more set-piece advantage was being played when Jansen lost control of the ball over the tryline.

He did not have to wait long for a second chance as play stayed five metres from the tryline and, after strong recycling, the back-rower forced his way through for the bonus-point try and his second of the day and stretch the lead to 16 points.

Walsh intercepted a dangerous attack on the Sarries right and carried 50 metres before being closed down and Atkinson showed his aerial skills to deal with a teasing kick near halfway before the whistle went in Tigers’ favour.

Carries from Whitcombe and Jansen threatened the line again before spilled ball gave Sarries put-in at a scrum in front of their own posts.

Lewis Chessum replaced Snyman as Tigers made changes on 55 minutes and the second row immediately stole lineout ball inside the defensive half of the field.

Ilione won a penalty at a breakdown on the 10-metre line and patience at the set-piece upfield was rewarded with a fifth try, prop Francois van Wyk making the final push over the whitewash. Atkinson added the conversion.

Another quickly followed as Tom Horton steered a lineout drive 20 metres towards the line and Atkinson’s extras stretched the lead to 30 points entering the last 10 minutes.

Tigers were efficient at the other end too, closing out a Sarries charge from the restart, though the hosts showed their defensive strength in quickly winning a penalty at a breakdown when they were threatened again.

A teasing kick into the corner just evaded Joe Browning’s reach and then Woodward was beaten by the bounce in similar style in the closing moments before Horton added the final try at a lineout drive on the right.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

SAR 8-19 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

SAR 8-45 LEI

Attendance

Not available

Referee

Joe James

Saracens
Saracens
8

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
45
Saracens
T
P
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers
T
T
C
T
C
T
T
C
T
C
T
C

Match Stats

Saracens
Leicester Tigers
Possession
51%
49%
Territory
43%
57%
Penalties Conceded
8
12
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
126/144 88%
148/174 85%
Scrums Won
8/9 89%
3/3 100%
Lineouts Won
10/18 56%
10/10 100%

Player Stats

Saracens
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Jed Walsh
14Marcus Ramage1T
13Phil Cokanasiga
12Joseph Woodward
11Hosea Saumaki
10Charlie Atkinson5C
9Sam Edwards
1James Whitcombe
2Tom Cowan-Dickie
3Will Hurd
4Cameron Henderson1T
5Eli Snyman
6Josh Manz
7Emeka Ilione
8Sean Jansen2T
16Tom Horton2T
17Francois van Wyk1T
18Dan Richardson
19Lewis Chessum
20Tom Manz
21Josh Goodwin
22Morgan Meredith
23Joe Browning

Commentary

CUP WIN FOR TIGERS

FULL-TIME: Saracens 8-45 Leicester Tigers

Atkinson converts the try to make it 8-45.

Tom Horton scores in the final seconds from a lineout drive.

Atkinson adds con version to make it 38-8 to Tigers on 71mins.

Lineout drive brings try for Tigers, looks like Horton was steering it over. 

Atkinson converts the try and Tigers lead 31-8 on 68mins.

Big carries near the line and Fran van Wyk makes the final contribution for try No5

60

We are midway in the second half of this Premiership Cup tie and Tigers lead Saracens 24-8 with tries from Jansen (2), Ramage and Henderson.

Sean Jansen scores his second and the Tigers' fourth to make it 24-8 to the visitors. Conversion missed.

41

Second half has started, with Tigers 19-8 in front.

LEADING AT THE BREAK

Saracens 8-19 Leicester Tigers with tries from Ramage, Jansen and Henderson.

Atkinson adds the conversion and Tigers lead 19-8 approaching half-time.

Cameron Henderson beats 3 defenders on his way to a try for Tigers.

Elliott kicks a penalty for Saracens to narrow the gap to 8-12 on 34min.

Atkinson converts the Jansen try to make it 12-5 to Tigers on 33min.

Sean Jansen takes control at the base of an attacking scrum and barges over to score, Tigers lead 10-5 on 32min.

21

Conversion is missed by tryscorer Elliott, so it's 5-5 midway through the first half.

Quick attack from halfway ends with a Sarries try for No10 Tobias Elliott. 5-5.

Opening score is by Marcus Ramage following a break by Woodward and Walsh. Conversion missed but Tigers lead 5-0 on 11min.

KICK-OFF | Saracens v Leicester Tigers

The home team will get the action started. Tigers are in red shirts and playing right to left as we look from the dugouts.

0

WEATHER CHECK

It's dry but it's breezy on a chilly November lunchtime in North London.

0

TODAY’S OPPOSITION

Saracens: 15 Jenson McInulty, 14 Francis Moore, 13 Brandon Jackson, 12 Olly Hartley, 11 Tom Howe, 10 Tobias Elliott, 9 Sam Bryan; 1 Jevaughn Warren, 2 Ethan Lewis (c), 3 Christian Judge, 4 Andrew Kitchener, 5 Alex Wardell, 6 Samson Adejimi, 7 Toby Knight, 8 Ollie Stonham
Reps: 16 James Isaacs, 17 Tristan Smith, 18 Harvey Beaton, 19 Max Eke, 20 Obinna Nkwocha, 21 Charlie Bracken, 22 Nathan Michelow, 23 Charlie Reynolds-West

0

HOW TIGERS LINE-UP

STARTING XV: 15 Jed Walsh [3], 14 Marcus Ramage * [2], 13 Phil Cokanasiga [5], 12 Joseph Woodward [5], 11 Hosea Saumaki [16], 10 Charlie Atkinson [1], 9 Sam Edwards [7]; 1 James Whitcombe [26], 2 Tom Cowan-Dickie [9], 3 Will Hurd [13], 4 Cameron Henderson [23], 5 Eli Snyman [24], 6 Joshua Manz [3], 7 Emeka Ilione [5], 8 Sean Jansen (c) [8]

REPLACEMENTS: 16 Tom Horton [3], 17 Francois van Wyk [23], 18 Dan Richardson [7], 19 Lewis Chessum [4], 20 Tom Manz [3], 21 Josh Goodwin * [1], 22 Morgan Meredith [3], 23 Joe Browning [4]

0

MATCH PREVIEW | Saracens v Leicester Tigers

Back-rower Sean Jansen captains Tigers for the first time this afternoon, with fly-half Charlie Atkinson given his first start for the team since his arrival from Wasps.

Emeka Ilione starts in the back row for Tigers and says: “At the start of the year I just wanted to get more opportunity to train with the first team and just to be around the environment.

“That is going well, I’m spending much more time with the first team and being integrated more in the group, allowing me to work with them – guys like George, Hanro, Olly, Jasper, Tommy – which can only be good for my development.”

Joseph Woodward and Joshua Manz are among the other academy graduates in the starting line-up, with experience added by Hosea Saumaki, Eli Snyman and Tom Cowan-Dickie.

The two clubs have met on 95 previous occasions, but just once before in this version of the Premiership Cup, with Saracens recording a 29-21 triumph at home in October 2018.

Tigers are in the club’s change kit of red shirts and white shorts.

0

WELCOME TO MATCHDAY LIVE!

Keep up to date with the Tigers action from the Premiership Rugby Cup at Saracens this afternoon with Matchday Live on the Tigers App and website at www.leicestertigers.com. It’s an early afternoon kick-off at 1.00pm.

0

MATCHDAY LIVE

Reminder: It's an early kick-off at 1.00pm today as Leicester Tigers visit Saracens in the Premiership Rugby Cup. Keep up to date with the action via Matchday Live on the Tigers App and website at www.leicestertigers.com. 


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Jenson McInulty
14
Francis Moore
13
Brandon Jackson
12
Olly Hartley
11
Tom Howe
10
Tobias Elliott
9
Samuel Bryan
1
Jevaughn Warren
2
Ethan Lewis
3
Christian Judge
4
Andrew Kitchener
5
Alex Wardell
6
Samson Adejimi
7
Toby Knight
8
Ollie Stonham

Replacements

16
James Isaacs
17
Tristan Smith
18
Harvey Beaton
19
Max Eke
20
Obinna Nkwocha
21
Charlie Bracken
22
Nathan Michelow
23
Charlie Reynolds-West

Team News | Tigers side to play Saracens in Cup

Figure image

The Leicester Tigers matchday squad for Round 4 of the 2022/23 Premiership Rugby Cup has been named. 

Tigers travel to North London to face Saracens on Saturday, November 19 (kick-off 1.00pm) at StoneX Stadium.

Sean Jansen captains the side with Sam Edwards and James Whitcombe named as vice-captains.

Jed Walsh starts at full-back in a back three with Hosea Saumaki and Nottingham Rugby’s Marcus Ramage, with Joseph Woodward and Phil Cokanasiga partnered for the first time in the midfield.

Charlie Atkinson will make his first start for Leicester Tigers at fly-half, after his debut from the bench in last weekend’s Gallagher Premiership fixture at Bath Rugby, with vice-captain Edwards his half-back partner.

In his first start of the 2022/23 campaign, Tom Cowan-Dickie is at hooker alongside Whitcombe and Will Hurd in the front row. 

Cameron Henderson and Eli Snyman are the starting second-row pairing for the first time this season, while Joshua Manz, Emeka Ilione and Jansen named in the back row.

Scrum-half Josh Goodwin, who has appeared already in this season’s Cup campaign, is on loan from Championship club Nottingham on the bench.

Tom Horton, Francois van Wyk, Dan Richardson, Lewis Chessum and Tom Manz are the replacement forwards and Goodwin, Morgan Meredith and Joe Browning the replacement backs.

STARTING XV
15 Jed Walsh [3]
14 Marcus Ramage * [2]
13 Phil Cokanasiga [5]
12 Joseph Woodward [5]
11 Hosea Saumaki [16]
10 Charlie Atkinson [1]
9 Sam Edwards (vc) [7]
1 James Whitcombe (vc) [26]
2 Tom Cowan-Dickie [9]
3 Will Hurd [13]
4 Cameron Henderson [23]
5 Eli Snyman [24]
6 Joshua Manz [3]
7 Emeka Ilione [5]
8 Sean Jansen (c) [8]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Tom Horton [3]
17 Francois van Wyk [23]
18 Dan Richardson [7]
19 Lewis Chessum [4]
20 Tom Manz [3]
21 Josh Goodwin * [1]
22 Morgan Meredith [3]
23 Joe Browning [4]

* Loan players from Nottingham Rugby

Saracens: 15 Jenson McInulty, 14 Francis Moore, 13 Brandon Jackson, 12 Olly Hartley, 11 Tom Howe, 10 Tobias Elliott, 9 Sam Bryan; 1 Jevaughn Warren, 2 Ethan Lewis (c), 3 Christian Judge, 4 Andrew Kitchener, 5 Cameron Boon, 6 Samson Adejimi, 7 Toby Knight, 8 Ollie Stonham
Reps: 16 James Isaacs, 17 Tristan Smith, 18 Harvey Beaton, 19 Alex Wardell, 20 Obinna Nkwocha, 21 Charlie Bracken, 22 Nathan Michelow, 23 Charlie Reynolds-West

Form Guide
Form
LLWWW
Last Match
Beat Harlequins 52-7
Past Meeting
Lost 10-19
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
LWWLL
Last Match
Lost to Gloucester Rugby 25-27
Past Meeting
Won 19-10