Leicester Tigers meet Saracens for the fourth time this season on Saturday with a place in the Anglo-Welsh Cup Final at stake.
Tigers topped Pool 4 in qualification after wins over Bath away, and Newport Gwent Dragons and Northampton Saints at home, while Sarries finished in top spot in Pool 1 with wins over Newcastle Falcons, Scarlets and Tigers following a first-round defeat at Gloucester.
Saturday’s game represents a sixth Anglo-Welsh semi-final for Tigers, who lifted the trophy in 2006/07 and 2011/12. Just one of those semi-finals has been away from home – when Tigers beat Bath 17-16 at The Recreation ground in 2012. Click here to relive the details from that game, with George Ford and Craig Newby among the stand-out players for the Tigers.
Tigers, who won their last away game, at Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership a fortnight ago, are chasing a first-ever win at Allianz Park. Saracens, though, have already become the first-ever opponents to beat Tigers three times in the same season, winning home and away in the league as well a taking the honours in the final round of the pool stages of the cup competition last month.
Both teams show a mix of youth and experience, with Tigers including JP Pietersen, Freddie Burns and Graham Kitchener in a team led by Mathew Tait. The squad also includes academy graduates George Worth, Joe Maksymiw and Charlie Thacker.
Previewing the game, Tigers assistant coach Geordan Murphy said: “Allianz Park is tough place to go and the way Sarries go about their business is really impressive. They put pressure on you and squeeze you. From our point of view we have to be accurate because they thrive on your mistakes.
“We’ve got some good experience in the team alongside some of the younger guys. Guys who have featured in the competition have done themselves proud in the shirt and deserve the opportunity.”
Referee for Saturday is Luke Pearce.
Kick-off is at 6.00pm and tickets are still available from the home club.
There is live TV coverage on BT Sport.
Tigers topped Pool 4 in qualification after wins over Bath away, and Newport Gwent Dragons and Northampton Saints at home, while Sarries finished in top spot in Pool 1 with wins over Newcastle Falcons, Scarlets and Tigers following a first-round defeat at Gloucester.
Saturday’s game represents a sixth Anglo-Welsh semi-final for Tigers, who lifted the trophy in 2006/07 and 2011/12. Just one of those semi-finals has been away from home – when Tigers beat Bath 17-16 at The Recreation ground in 2012. Click here to relive the details from that game, with George Ford and Craig Newby among the stand-out players for the Tigers.
Tigers, who won their last away game, at Harlequins in the Aviva Premiership a fortnight ago, are chasing a first-ever win at Allianz Park. Saracens, though, have already become the first-ever opponents to beat Tigers three times in the same season, winning home and away in the league as well a taking the honours in the final round of the pool stages of the cup competition last month.
Both teams show a mix of youth and experience, with Tigers including JP Pietersen, Freddie Burns and Graham Kitchener in a team led by Mathew Tait. The squad also includes academy graduates George Worth, Joe Maksymiw and Charlie Thacker.
Previewing the game, Tigers assistant coach Geordan Murphy said: “Allianz Park is tough place to go and the way Sarries go about their business is really impressive. They put pressure on you and squeeze you. From our point of view we have to be accurate because they thrive on your mistakes.
“We’ve got some good experience in the team alongside some of the younger guys. Guys who have featured in the competition have done themselves proud in the shirt and deserve the opportunity.”
Referee for Saturday is Luke Pearce.
Kick-off is at 6.00pm and tickets are still available from the home club.
There is live TV coverage on BT Sport.
