Tries from Julián Montoya (2), Jasper Wiese (2) and Tom Youngs gave Leicester Tigers a bonus-point 41-24 victory over Worcester Warriors at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday afternoon.
A first try for the club from Montoya, combined with the kicking of Zack Henry, gave Tigers a 13-3 advantage at half-time against a Warriors team who had enjoyed wins on three of their last four trips to Leicester.
And the hooker added a second, quickly followed by a first for the club by Wiese to stretch the lead.
Wiese and replacement Youngs added the other scores to take the full five points in Round 8 of the Gallagher Premiership season.
Richard Wigglesworth led out Tigers as captain in by his fifth appearance for the club and, after full-back Chris Pennell had been applauded on to the field by his team-mates in his 250th appearance, the game got under way on a bright but chilly winter afternoon.
Tigers dominated possession and territory in the early phases, but lost Nemani Nadolo to injury in their first attack when he stretched out for a crosskick from Zack Henry in the left-hand corner.
Henry had been playing with a penalty advantage and he knocked over the first points when play came back for the kick in front of the posts.
Argentina duo Julián Montoya and Tomás Lavanini were prominent ball-carriers in those exchanges, though replacement Kini Murimurivalu earned the praise of his team-mates when he smothered breakdown ball inside his own 22 on 15 minutes.
Untidy ball on halfway then led to a Warriors penalty and Duncan Weir hammered his kick between the posts to level the scores on 18 minutes.
Lavanini almost brought an instant reply, charging down a clearing kick just short of the Worcester line but then seeing the ball squirt out of reach.
Another carry from Montoya brought another penalty, and Henry pushed play into the right-hand corner. The forwards controlled play up to the tryline and were playing with advantage again for a high tackle on Dan Cole when a final push was held up over the chalk.
This time, after more strong work at the lineout, Montoya steered the maul over for the score and Henry’s conversion from the right made it 10-3 with 23 minutes played.
Warriors lost Weir to a shoulder injury on the half-hour and then were pushed back by a big hit from Lavanini in midfield and then Montoya’s work over ball on the floor.
Aggressive work from Kobus van Wyk on the right wing got Tigers going forward again, and then Matt Scott’s chase of a towering kick forced an error midway inside the Worcester half.
The same two players then combined to put Freddie Steward over the tryline to the left of the posts, only for referee Andrew Jackson to blow for a forward pass.
When the scrum close to the Warriors line brought another whistle, Tigers at least had the consolation of another three points from Henry to stretch the lead out to 10 points befpre the break.
The restart was delayed while a breakdown in communication between referee and TMO were addressed
Both teams made changes to the front rows in the opening minutes of the second period, with Nephi Leaitgaga and Joe Heyes on for Tigers and both were involved as a lineout drive almost reached the tryline in the right.
And they both had a close-up view of a second score for Montoya from the base of another forward drive after Tgers old boy Graham Kitchener had been yellow-carded in defence of his own tryline.
Henry added the conversion to make it 20-3 with half an hour still to play.
After Henry picked out Van Wyk with a long pass on the right, Tigers pinned Warriors back on their line until Wiese beat the final tackle to score next to the posts for his first Premiership score and Henry’s extras made it 27-3.
Replacement prop Richard Palframan supplied am immediate response as he scored from close range for Worcester, and Jamie Shillcock kicked the conversion.
When Montoya left the field with a bloodied face, Tom Youngs emerged as a replacement in an historic appearance as he took his family total to 600 games in Leicester colours. And the club captain was straight on the ball in the middle of the field as Tigers looked to push on again.
Worcester wing Nick David sidestepped his way through broken field in the Tigers half but was outnumbered as he tried to set ball back and Van Wyk quickly latched on to the loose ball as referee Jackson whistled in Tigers’ favour.
Liebenberg’s intervention at the breakdown brought a penalty in a decent position for Tigers on the right with 15 minutes remaining on the clock and Henry took play into the right-hand corner where Youngs steer the charge over the line for his third try of the season and the bonus-point score.
Worcester answered with a score from Oli Morris as they trailed 34-17 with the game into the last 10 minutes.
A challenge on Liebenberg at a lineout gave Henry another kick into the right-hand corner and the maul ended with Wiese’s second score of the afternoon and Henry added an immaculate conversion.
Ted Hill provided the impetus for Worcester to threaten a third score and, although they were denied when the referee could not see any clear grounding as the back-rower claimed it, they retained possession for Perry Humphreys to dive into the right-hand corner and Shillcock added an excellent kick for the final points of the afternoon.
Commentary
81
FULL-TIME | TIGERS 41-24 WARRIORS
Cold hands are the cause of a final result mistake - Worcester were not able to score 79 points on the day, with just 24 on the score board.
FULL-TIME | TIGERS 41-79 WARRIORS
Wigglesworth feeds the scrum and that's that at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Tigers secure the bonus-point win with five tries in total.
79
WORCESTER CHASING THEIR OWN BONUS
The Worcester line continues to come at Tigers at pace. The restart is frantic, and a chance for Tigers to reset at the line-out - and some heavy work in the breakdown is enough for Tigers.
TIGERS 41-24 WARRIORS
Jamie Shillcross takes a quick kick and gets Warriors up and moving once again in the closing moments.
NOW A WORCESTER TRY
Perry Humphreys goes over for Worcester in the far right corner.
76
NO WORCESTER TRY
Andrew Jackson deems it not a try, and straight away du Preez flies at the Tigers back line.
Tigers on the defence now and get the big bodies behind. Shillcock can find space and he finds Perry Humphreys...
76
NO SIGN OF SLOWING UP
The game shows no sign of slowing up as Worcester come straight back at Tigers. The fast break away sees some of their heavy hitters find the yards.
Heaney is held up short, but Worcester will again and think they have done enough. We'll go back to TMO.
TIGERS 41-17 WARRIORS
Zack Henry kicks his seventh successful kick of the day as Tigers turn on the style.
WIESE DOUBLE FOR TIGERS
It's another double for Tigers as Jasper Wiese is the man with the ball tucked under to secure the fifth try of the game.
72
TIGERS CORNER...YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMING
Tigers back at it from the restart and are able to set up another rolling maul from the line-out...
TIGERS 34-17 WARRIORS
Warriors back in the game following a quick conversion with just over 10 minutes left on the clock.
WARRIORS TRY OUT OF NOTHING
Tigers with all the pressure and a mistake in the pass from Nephi Leatigaga sees Oli Morris with a clean run into to secure the try.
TIGERS 34-10 WARRIORS
Henry maintains his100% record from the tee today as Tigers complete a bonus-point score with full marks.
TOM YOUNGS SCORES FOR TIGERS
Leicester Tigers skipper Tom Youngs continues his scoring streak as he's the man with the ball in the rolling maul.
64
TIGERS FIND THE CORNER...
Henry thumps the ball straight into the corner in search of the bonus-point.
The Tigers maul is once again utilised and it's to great effect once again with the pack barreling over...
64
GAME PICKS UP PACE
Both teams now realising the importance of the game's next try as they look to direct the outcome.
Leatigaga and Wells both use their power, and Wigglesworth tries the ariel bombardment, which is rewarded as Sam Lewis makes the mistake in the Worcester 22.
62
WORCESTER COMING AT TIGERS
Worcester are able to pressure the mistake from the line-out and Nick David dances through the Tigers line, but the backthree combine to close him out.
Tigers force the penalty and a chance to slow the game down.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
TIGERS 27-10 WARRIORS
Warriors into double figures with the scores at 27-10 with just over 20 minutes left.
WORCESTER TRY
Richard Palframan comes on and with his first touch gets Worcester off the canvas as they score their first try of the game.
56
WORCESTER PRESSURE FROM THE RESTART
Worcester come at Tigers with replacement and club skipper Ted Hill applying the pressure.
We'll have the Warriors line-out and try the rolling maul. They are cut short but have the penalty as the maul is collapsed and they edge even closer...
TIGERS 27 - 3 WARRIORS
Henry keeps his 100% kick-rate as the lead is extended from the tee to 27-3.
WIESE SCORES HIS FIRST TIGERS TRY
Jasper Wiese is rewarded for his burrowing from short range and scores his first try for Tigers following confirmation from the TMO.
53
TIGERS BREAK AWAY AND HELD UP SHORT
The Tigers break is quick as Kobus Van Wyk is released down the left flank. Lavanin is held up and Brink has an opprotunity, but the penalty advantage is seen.
Tigers are on the prowl and want more, as they edge closer and closer and finally we have a try...which will go upstairs to the TMO.
51
TIGERS KEEP ON TOP
Tigers retain the ball in the restart and a forward pass from Perry Humphreys sees another chance to dominate from the scrum.
Tigers get the line-out from a glancing touch to Henry's kick and Montoya lines up once again.
TIGERS 20 POINTS TO 3
Zack Henry does the business to add the extras and Tigers now lead by 20 points to Worcester's 3.
MONTOYA DOUBLE
Julian Montoya makes it a starting debut double as Tigers rely on the tried and tested rolling maul.
KITCHENER SHOWN YELLOW
Graham Kitchener is shown the yellow.
45
TIGERS PRESSURE FIVE OUT
Montoya finds Liebenberg once again, and the rolling maul is the option. Tigers have the penalty advantage however following the mistake in the backline.
A quick tap, releases Jasper Wiese who is impeeded illegally by Graham Kitchener.
CHANGES IN THE FRONT ROW
Joe Heyes and Nephi Leatigaga come on for Dan Cole and Luan De Bruin.
43
TIGERS BREAKAWAY
The Tigers backline move the ball and it's Moroni who nudges the yards. It comes back at Tigers but the return from Henry goes out of play behind the posts and Wiese collects before winding up for the run...
42
WORCESTER COME AT TIGERS
Pennell collects a Wigglesworth kick, and Matt Kvesic can power forward but it's knocked forward as we go in for the scrum.
40
WE'RE BACK FOR THE SECOND-HALF
Jamie Shillcock will get us underway after a delayed kick-off follwing technical problems between the officials.
TIGERS LEAD AT THE HALF-WAY MARK
A scrum following a Chris Pennell knock-on in Tigers favour, sees Wiggleworth finding Henry who kicks long and it's sliced out by Pennell again and Andrew Jackson blows the whistle for the half.
38
TIGERS NOT HOLDING UP
Tigers want more as we come towards the end of the first half.
A series of high balls sees van Wyk comes away with the ball. Liebenberg collects and Steward is charged down, with Matt Kvesic applying the pressure but the young full-back does just enough.
Wiggleworth clears with an acute box kick and space to breath.
HENRY KICKS TIGERS INTO 10 POINT LEAD
Zack Henry rewards the hard work of the Tigers forwards following the scrum penalty. Tigers 13-3 Worcester.
36
TIGERS OVERPOWER IN THE SCRUM
The Tigers pack dominate the Worcester front row as it crumbles on their own five-metre line and Tigers win the penalty.
Henry with the chance to extend Tigers lead from just left of the centre line.
33
TIGERS PHASE PLAY...ALMOST COMES OFF
A training ground move almost comes off for Tigers as Matt Scott holds on a little too long and its a forward pass for Steward as he goes over...
32
POSSESSION SWITCHING SIDES
A switch of possession sees both teams test their catching skills, and pressure from van Wyk forces another kick from Worcester.
Maroni closes down the Worcester catcher and it's spilt for the knock-on, as Tigers look to keep the pressure on.
31
LAVANINI LEADING FROM THE FRONT
The big Argentine does enough to force the side-entry and win the possession back for Tigers, just when Worcester were applying the pressure.
Henry kicks clear, but it's spilt from the line-out. Worcester come forward and Kobus van Wyk has a chance to run following a favoured bounce, but it comes to nothing as Worcester go into touch.
WORCESTER REPLACEMENT
Jamie Shillcock comes on for the injured Duncan Weir.
28
TIGERS TRY TO RUN OUT
Tigers aiming to run out the ball, but Warriors keep the ball deep in the Tigers half.
Wiggleworth finally kicks and Pennell collects and Conrell du Preez is kick in at Murimurivalu and forces the mistake, a long kick finds touch 10 metres from the Tigers touchline.
25
BATTLE GROUND IN THE SCRUM
Worcester have a chance to add the pressure in the scrum, and Weir receives it from his team mate and the ball moves quickly finding Humphreys but Kobus van Wyk does his defensive duty.
The resulting line-out is too long and Liebenberg almost escapes but it's deemed to go forward beforehand, so a Tigers scrum.
TIGERS 10 - 3 WARRIORS
Henry kicks from the tee and extends Tigers lead with 23 minutes played in Round 8.
MONTOYA GOES OVER FOR TIGERS
Julian Montoya with his first try for Tigers and it's one the forwards will be happy with. Tigers score the game's first try.
23
TIGERS SET-PEICE
Leicester trusting the line-out and Montoya finds Liebenberg again and the rolling maul forms. The heavy's come in and it's Julian Montoya makes it forward...
21
TIGERS PRESSURE 10 METRES OUT
Liebenberg collects from the line-out and the rolling maul forms, Dan Cole uses the ball from the back.
Brink gets the ball in the next play and Tigers looking to make the short yards.
Brink has another run at it, but is held up as Tigers take the penalty advantage. Henry goes for the corner.
20
LAVANINI CHARGE DOWN
Tomas Lavanini almost capitalises on a charge down from the restart, but it escapes the field of play. Unlucky for the big Argentine.
WEIR LEVELS THE SCORES
Duncan Weir levels the game up from the tee as Warriors get back into the game with a mighty thump from just short of the half-way line.
16
LEICESTER LINE-OUT
Montoya finds Liebenberg and Tigers go through the motions again, but it's lost to Warriors in the middle of the park. Possession switches back and the Tigers forward doing the work for Richard Wigglesworth.
Dan Cole catches a lose pass but gives away the penalty, and Worcester will look to go for goal.
15
WARRIORS TURN
Warriors have a chance to go at Tigers from the reset and Pennell almost releases Nick David on the wing.
Warriors keep the ball but Murimurivalu does the work at the breakdown and Tigers have the penalty.
12
TIGERS KEEP PRESSURE ON
Tigers have been on top since the restart, with the majoirty of the play in the Worcester half.
Weise, Steward and Murimurivalu with strong runs and Tigers keep gaining the small metres.
Wiggleworth taking his time, but it's turned over by Kvesic with the jackal penalty and can kick clear.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
The injured Nemani Nadolo makes way for Kini Murimurivalu on the wing.
HENRY OPENS SCORING
Henry makes no mistake as his kicks from a central position and Tigers have the lead as we break the 10 minute mark.
9
PENALTY FOR TIGERS | CHANCE AT THE POSTS
We'll go back for the earlier penalty and chance for Zack Henry to kick the game's first points.
8
NADOLO CHANCE
Schonert penalised in the scrum and Zack Henry opts to kick the penalty to touch as Tigers within a few metres of the Worcester line.
Montoya at the front in the line-out and Tigers big-hitters make the runs with Green and Lavnini seeing ball in hand.
Henry tries the dink over the top on the left corner and Nadolo dives, but is inches away.
6
WARRIORS HOLD STRONG
Worcester see the ball in the backline and kick to clear but it comes back as Weir keeps the ball in play. We'll have the line-out just in the Warriors half for Tigers.
Montoya throws to the back, but it's not straight and we'll have the scrum.
4
SCRUM
Worcester have the scrum and Simpson digs the ball out of the back. Worcester go long, but Steward collects and quickly releases Martin to gain the yards.
Tigers held up and Wiggleworth with the box kick, but Worcester sweep up.
2
TIGERS WITH THE BALL
Tigers seeing the majority of the ball in hand as the game gets underway.
Richard Wiggleworth setting the pace from the line-out as the team go through the phases, before a Henry kick is collected by Pennell.
Tigers give away the penalty and we have the game's first scrum.
0
HENRY KICKS OFF ROUND 8
Zach Henry gets things underway at Mattioli woods Welford Road with Tigers playing towards the Nottingham Building Society stand.
0
WORCESTER HEAD OUT
Chris Pennell is clapped onto the pitch by his teammates for Worcester as he makes his 250th appearance for the club.
0
WORCESTER CHANGE
Nick David and Perry Humphreys have switched wings ahead of kick-off with replacements Ted Hill and Sam Lewis also changing jerseys.
0
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0
THE WARRIORS LINE UP
See how today's opponents line up in our full team news preview by clicking here
CAPTAIN WIGG!
Richard Wigglesworth will captain Leicester Tigers in just his fifth appearance for the club
The backline remains unchanged otherwise, with Julián Montoya will make his first starting appearance alongside props Luan de Bruin and Dan Cole at the other end of the pitch.
Tomás Lavanini returns to the starting team alongside Calum Green in the second of three changes to the pack.
In the back row, Cyle Brink is included to form an all-South African unit alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese.
0
TWELVE MONTHS ON…
Twelve months on, Tigers will host an 11th home game behind closed doors since that day as a result of the Covid pandemic.
Replacement fly-half Johnny McPhillips kicked nine points in a 14-8 victory for Tigers a year ago and is among only seven players from the matchday squad to be included in the Steve Borthwick's 23 this Saturday.
The win last February ended a three-game losing run against the Warriors in the Gallagher Premiership and the visitors have won on three of their last four trips to Leicester in all competitions.
Overall, the clubs have met on just 35 previous occasions with Leicester winning 27 to eight by Worcester.
0
WELCOME TO ROUND 8 | TIGERS V WORCESTER
Hello to all the #TigersAtHome as Worcester Warriors visit Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Round 8 of the Gallagher Premiership.
We’re half an hour from kick-off and Matchday Live will be bringing you all the latest as it happens on a cold and foggy afternoon.