Geordan Murphy says a place in the top four in the Aviva Premiership "is still in our own hands" after derby victory for Leicester Tigers at Northampton Saints on Saturday.
Tigers moved into fourth place in the Aviva Premiership table with a 36-31 win at Franklin’s Gardens and stayed there after Saracens beat Bath on Sunday.
“It’s always tough to come here and win,” said assistant coach Murphy after tries from Adam Thompstone, Ben Youngs and Lachlan McCaffrey provided a platform for a thrilling derby victory sealed with two late kicks from Owen Williams in Aaron Mauger’s last game in charge as head coach.
“It was a very close game, as they always are between Tigers and Saints. But the guys wanted to give Aaron a good send-off and they did that.
“It was tight, there are points where you think we could have lost. Mike Williams got sin-binned with 13 minutes to go – but two minutes after that we get a line break and a try and conversion from Owen Williams.
“The guys put in a great effort. Dan Cole and Ben Youngs both got through massive shifts after being away with England and our scrum probably had the edge in a tight game.
“Top four is very much in our hands. We have had a mixed bag of a season but we are fourth now. We have a huge game against Bath up next and then three more big games after that to the end of the league season.”
Tigers face Bath at Twickenham on Saturday, April 8, with home games to follow against Newcastle Falcons on April 15 and Sale Sharks on April 29. The final game of the league programme is away to Worcester Warriors on May 6. Both remaining home fixtures kick off at 3.00pm on Saturday afternoons and tickets are on general sale now.
Tigers moved into fourth place in the Aviva Premiership table with a 36-31 win at Franklin’s Gardens and stayed there after Saracens beat Bath on Sunday.
“It’s always tough to come here and win,” said assistant coach Murphy after tries from Adam Thompstone, Ben Youngs and Lachlan McCaffrey provided a platform for a thrilling derby victory sealed with two late kicks from Owen Williams in Aaron Mauger’s last game in charge as head coach.
“It was a very close game, as they always are between Tigers and Saints. But the guys wanted to give Aaron a good send-off and they did that.
“It was tight, there are points where you think we could have lost. Mike Williams got sin-binned with 13 minutes to go – but two minutes after that we get a line break and a try and conversion from Owen Williams.
“The guys put in a great effort. Dan Cole and Ben Youngs both got through massive shifts after being away with England and our scrum probably had the edge in a tight game.
“Top four is very much in our hands. We have had a mixed bag of a season but we are fourth now. We have a huge game against Bath up next and then three more big games after that to the end of the league season.”
Tigers face Bath at Twickenham on Saturday, April 8, with home games to follow against Newcastle Falcons on April 15 and Sale Sharks on April 29. The final game of the league programme is away to Worcester Warriors on May 6. Both remaining home fixtures kick off at 3.00pm on Saturday afternoons and tickets are on general sale now.
