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Report | Tigers secure bonus-point win at home

Figure image

Leicester Tigers beat Newcastle Falcons 36-21, scoring five tries, in the opening home game of the season on Saturday.

After both teams picked up a single point in Round 1 of the Gallagher Premiership campaign, Tigers collected the maximum five on their return to Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Tigers celebrated tries from James Cronin and Nemani Nadolo in the opening quarter of an hour, but they were pegged back as Falcons found two of their own to lead 14-12.

Then, though, two tries in two minutes from Nadolo again and Chris Ashton wrapped up one bonus point by half-time, but Falcons still stayed in the game, bringing the score back to 26-21 early in the second half before Tigers finally put some daylight between the teams with an Olly Cracknell try.

Head coach Steve Borthwick welcomed back England internationals Guy Porter, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes and Jack van Poortvliet for the first time after their summer tour in Australia and gave Jimmy Gopperth and James Cronin their home debuts.

After tributes to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the singing of God Save The King, the game started with Tigers attacking the Beehive Money Stand end on a clear and bright afternoon.

The game was just two minutes old when Cronin grabbed the first home try of the season and his first on his Mattioli Woods Welford Road debut, barging over on the right after Nadolo had been dragged down by three defenders in the opposite corner and Harry Potter stopped just short as play spread across the pitch. Gopperth added the kick.

Five minutes later, Nadolo extended the score after Porter had crated the opening, the big wing diving into the left-hand corner for a 12-0 advantage.

Falcons had barely touched had a touch at that stage, but when they did gets hands on the ball from a set-piece, they gained a penalty on halfway and, after two lineouts on the left, thought they had scored with a quick exchange at the front of the set-piece, only for referee Craig Maxwell-Keys to signal they had been held up.

Another penalty on halfway on 18 minutes led to a score for Falcons, attacking quickly on the left where scrum-half Josh Barton added the final run to the line from George Wacokecoke’s pass. The referee checked replays on the pass and proximity of the touchline before confirming the score.

Kickchase from the forwards won turnover ball for Tigers in the opposition 22, but the TMO called for a neck roll, giving Falcons a chance to clear their lines.

The visitors lost wing Nathan Earle to injury in their next phases of possession, holding his right arm carefully as play continued upfield, until Tigers forced ball loose in contact.

Tigers were playing with penalty advantage from the set-piece back in their own 22 as Youngs and Gopperth combined to set Nadolo down the left. But as Falcons covered, Chris Ashton’s chip ahead was too strong for the chasers.

Falcons were enjoying some decent possession, helped by a 50-22 kick from Connon which pinned back Tigers on to their own five-metre line, and they made it count with a second try as McGuigan burrowed his way over. The kick from Connon gave them a 14-12 lead on 33 minutes.

Alex Tait narrowly missed another 50-22, seeing the ball bounce on the touchline as he prodded down the Newcastle left, but when Tigers got back up to halfway, quick thinking from Ben Youngs – in his 200th Premiership appearance – broke the defensive line and Nadolo was on his shoulder to beat the final two defenders for his second try of the day.

Just a minute later, Falcons were back under the posts as Harry Wells caught the restart, Nadolo carried again and there was no catching Ashton as he raced to left corner. Gopperth added both conversions for a 26-14 lead at half-time and a bonus point in the bag.

The home side were quickly on the attack at the start of the second half, but after missing a chance from lineout ball on the right, it was the visitors who got the first points, with Mateo Carreras weaving his way to the tryline under the posts. The conversion by Connon narrowed the gap to 26-21.

More followed as Falcons opened up play for Adam Radwan to run in on the right. But, after TMO Ian Tempest checked replays with the referee, the scoring pass was given as forward.

Nadolo forced his way over in the left-hand corner for what would have been a hat-trick score on 57 minutes, but after numerous replays, play came back for a knock-on given against replacement Tommy Reffell as ripped possession in the build-up.

Tigers had to wait until 71 minutes for their next points, though they were important ones from a Gopperth penalty as they increased the hap to 29-21.

When van Poortvliet raced after his own kick to collar Carreras, the whistle went again and this time Tigers kept play tight, going for the set-piece on the left. Charlie Clare’s charge took play up to five metres and, when it was recycled again, it was Cracknell who made the line under a pile of tacklers. Gopperth added the kick to make it 36-21.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

LEI 26-14 NEW

FT ScoreFull Time Score

LEI 36-21 NEW

Attendance

18,106

Referee

Craig Maxwell-Keys

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
36

Full Time

Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons
21
Leicester Tigers
T
C
T
T
C
T
C
P
T
C
KOHTFT
Newcastle Falcons
T
C
T
C
T
C

Match Stats

Leicester Tigers
Newcastle Falcons
Possession
47%
53%
Territory
60%
40%
Penalties Conceded
11
8
Yellow Cards
0
0
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
126/137 92%
96/114 84%
Scrums Won
6/6 100%
6/6 100%
Lineouts Won
10/12 83%
18/18 100%

Player Stats

Leicester Tigers
Newcastle Falcons
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Chris Ashton1T
14Harry Potter
13Matt Scott
12Guy Porter
11Nemani Nadolo2T
10Jimmy Gopperth4C1P
9Ben Youngs
1James Cronin1T
2Charlie Clare
3Dan Cole
4Harry Wells
5Calum Green
6George Martin
7Ollie Chessum
8Hanro Liebenberg
16Joe Taufete'e
17Francois van Wyk
18Joe Heyes
19Olly Cracknell1T
20Tommy Reffell
21Jack van Poortvliet
22Phil Cokanasiga
23Kini Murimurivalu

Commentary

HOME WIN

Tigers score five tries in a 36-21 win over Newcastle Falcons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Gopperth on target with the conversion and Tigers lead 36-21.

Looks like Olly Cracknell is the scorer as Tigers attack from close range. TMO confirms score, 34-21.

Gopperth penalty makes it 29-21 on 71mins.

57

Nadolo denied hat-trick as referee rules a knock-on in the build-up. Still 26-21 to Tigers.

Connon conversion for Falcons. Tigers' lead cut to 26-21 on 48mins.

Mateo Carreras scores a solo try for Falcons, who now trail 26-19.

HALF TIME

Tigers lead 26-14 with tries from Cronin, Nadolo, Nadolo again & Ashton.

Gopperth from the left touchline, perfect kick to make it 26-14.

Chris Ashton set free by the work of Wells and Nadolo for the bonus-point try. 24-14.

Goppeth converts the Nadolo try and Tigers lead 19-14 apporoaching half-time.

Nadolo scores his second for Tigers after latching on to quick thinking from Youngs. Tigers back in front at 17-14 on 37min.

Connon adds the conversion and Falcons go 14-12 in front on 33mins.

Falcons score a second, with McGuigan pushing over to tie in the scores at 12-12.

Connon conversion of the Barton try is good, 12-7 on 19min.

18min Falcons score through scrum-half Josh Barton. 12-5.

9

Gopperth conversion kick is off target after try by Nadolo. 12-0.

8min Nemani Nadolo dives in on the left after Guy Porter's break for Tigers' second try.

3min Jimmy Gopperth adds the conversion from out wide on the right, Tigers lead 7-0.

JAMES CRONIN barges his way over to score on his home debut after Nadolo and Potter had been close in the build-up.

GAME ON

We are under way at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

0

TRIBUTES TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

All Gallagher Premiership fixtures this weekend will follow a one-minute silent tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the singing of God Save The King. Immaculately observed of course.

silence.jpg

0

WEATHER CHECK

A bright and sunny day at Mattioli Woods Welford Road as we prepare for kick-off.

0

TODAY’S OPPOSITION

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Nathan Earle, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Josh Barton; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (captain), 7 Jamie Blamire, 8 Carl Fearns.

Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Conrad Cade, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Connor Collett, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Mateo Carreras.

0

HOW TIGERS LINE UP

STARTING XV:
15 Chris Ashton [13], 14 Harry Potter [42], 13 Matt Scott [48], 12 Guy Porter [45], 11 Nemani Nadolo [37], 10 Jimmy Gopperth [1], 9 Ben Youngs (vc) [283]; 1 James Cronin [1], 2 Charlie Clare [53], 3 Dan Cole (vc) [291], 4 Harry Wells [157], 5 Calum Green [91], 6 George Martin [40], 7 Ollie Chessum [31], 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [60]

REPLACEMENTS: 16 Joe Taufete’e [0], 17 Francois van Wyk [18], 18 Joe Heyes [101], 19 Olly Cracknell [1], 20 Tommy Reffell [79], 21 Jack van Poortvliet [48], 22 Phil Cokanasiga [1], 23 Kini Murimurivalu [37]

0

MATCH PREVIEW | Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons

Tigers wing Harry Potter says focus now is solely on the challenge provided by Newcastle Falcons and not on the title-win last season.

“The summer does go in a flash,” Potter said. “The coaches have identified a lot of areas where we can take a step forward and it’s exciting that we have that room to improve. There is a lot we can do better and it’s exciting to try to improve everywhere you look.”

Both teams took one point from the opening weekend of the campaign as Tigers lost to a last-minute score at Exeter, and Falcons scored five tries in a 31-40 defeat by Harlequins.

Guy Porter, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes and Jack van Poortvliet return to the Tigers squad following the summer tour with England, while Jimmy Gopperth and James Cronin make their home debuts.

Ben Youngs makes his 200th appearance in the Premiership, in his 17th season as a Tigers first-teamer.

Falcons include former Leicester players Greg Peterson and Sebastian de Chaves in their squad alongside hooker George McGuigan who opened the season with two tries against Quins last weekend following his 15 in the league last season.

The two clubs have met on 65 previous occasions with Leicester winning 48 to 14 by Newcastle and three games drawn.

Referee is Craig Maxwell-Keys in his 115th Premiership match.

0

WELCOME TO MATCHDAY LIVE!

Wherever you are this afternoon, you can keep up to date with the Tigers action from the Round 2 fixture against Newcastle Falcons with Matchday Live on the Tigers App and website at www.leicestertigers.com. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Alex Tait
14
Adam Radwan
13
George Wacokecoke
12
Pete Lucock
11
Nathan Earle
10
Brett Connon
9
Josh Barton
1
Phil Brantingham
2
George McGuigan
3
Trevor Davison
4
Greg Peterson
5
Sean Robinson
6
Will Welch
7
Jamie Blamire
8
Carl Fearns

Replacements

16
Charlie Maddison
17
Conrad Cade
18
Mark Tampin
19
Sebastian de Chaves
20
Connor Collett
21
Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti
22
Tian Schoeman
23
Mateo Carreras

Team News | Tigers side to face Falcons

Figure image

Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for the club’s first home game of the 2022/23 Gallagher Premiership season.

Tigers take on Newcastle Falcons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, September 17 in Round 2.

Hanro Liebenberg will lead the side out at home for the first time in a Gallagher Premiership fixture since being appointed club captain with Dan Cole and Ben Youngs named as his vice-captains for the match.

Included in the matchday squad are four players - Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet and Guy Porter - who will make their first appearance of the new season after touring with the England senior men’s side in the summer.

Calum Green and Nemani Nadolo will play their first match of the 2022/23 campaign after missing the opening-round away trip to Exeter Chiefs.

James Cronin and Jimmy Gopperth will make their first league appearance at home as Leicester Tigers players, while Phil Cokanasiga and Olly Cracknell will make theirs if used from the bench.

Joe Taufete’e, who was an unused replacement in Round 1, is in line for his senior Leicester Tigers debut and first home appearance.

STARTING XV:
15 Chris Ashton [13]
14 Harry Potter [42]
13 Matt Scott [48]
12 Guy Porter [45]
11 Nemani Nadolo [37]
10 Jimmy Gopperth [1]
9 Ben Youngs (vc) [283]
1 James Cronin [1]
2 Charlie Clare [53]
3 Dan Cole (vc) [291]
4 Harry Wells [157]
5 Calum Green [91]
6 George Martin [40]
7 Ollie Chessum [31]
8 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [60]

REPLACEMENTS:
16 Joe Taufete’e *
17 Francois van Wyk [18]
18 Joe Heyes [101]
19 Olly Cracknell [1]
20 Tommy Reffell [79]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [48]
22 Phil Cokanasiga [1]
23 Kini Murimurivalu [37]

* Leicester Tigers senior debut

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Adam Radwan, 13 George Wacokecoke, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Nathan Earle, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Josh Barton; 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Trevor Davison, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch (captain), 7 Jamie Blamire, 8 Carl Fearns.

Replacements: 16 Charlie Maddison, 17 Conrad Cade, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Connor Collett, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Tian Schoeman, 23 Mateo Carreras.

 

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
3
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI2011185604907073669459
11
Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle FalconsNEW206014399616-21752914331
Form Guide
Form
LWWLL
Last Match
Lost to Gloucester Rugby 25-27
Past Meeting
Won 47-3
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
LLLLL
Last Match
Lost to Exeter Chiefs 16-25
Past Meeting
Lost 3-47

Matchday Live

Leicester Tigers36
Leicester Tigers
Newcastle Falcons21
Newcastle Falcons
Full Time