Leicester Tigers booked a place in the semi-finals of the European Challenge Cup with a 39-15 victory over Newcastle Falcons at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday.
Two tries from Harry Potter booked-ended the victory, with Falcons also conceding two penalty tries and a score from Matias Moroni.
Tigers took an early lead with a Potter score and then added a penalty try from a maul, but a Falcons score through George Wacokecoke brought the game back to 15-8 as half-time approached, though the visitors lost a player to the sin bin for the second time just before heading back to the changing rooms.
Moroni ran in a third in the second half but Falcons replied to keep it tight entering the final quarter until a penalty from replacement fly-half George Ford – in his 100th game for Tigers – finally provided a 10-point buffer.
A second penalty try followed, as did two more yellow cards and the final touchdown from Potter as Tigers moved into the semi-final draw for a second successive season.
Richard Wigglesworth led Tigers on his return to the team, with Freddie Steward and Kini Murimurivalu added to the backline that started against Connacht in the last round. Harry Wells, Hanro Liebenberg and Tommy Reffell were recalled among the forwards.
Kick off followed a two-minute silence in respect of the Duke of Edinburgh who died on Friday, with Falcons getting the game started playing towards the Robin Hood Stand End.
Just two weeks after defeat in a Gallagher Premiership fixture at the same venue, Dean Richards included ex-Tigers quartet Logovi’i Mulipola, George McGuigan, Michael Young and Greg Peterson in the Falcons line-up, but the visitors were soon a try down on their return trip.
From a lineout maul, Matt Scott and Murimurivalu carryied into the 22 and then Potter latched on to a clever diagonal kick from McPhillips to score. The fly-half pushed his conversion across the posts with Tigers 5-0 on front on five minutes.
A superb catch at the restart from Wacokecoke gave Falcons field position and they held the ball through multiple phases until gaining a penalty which Brett Connon slotted from in front of the posts.
Potter was back in the action as he successfully chased a McPhillips kick and then found some space on the right to keep Falcons pinned back.
When a penalty decision followed for offside on the five-metre line, Tigers kept the ball in the right-hand corner and stayed there when the whistle from Romain Poite went again.
This time, as the drive moved towards the posts, the referee blew for a penalty try with Charlie Clare in possession as the maul collapsed. Falcons skipper Mark Wilson was yellow carded for the offence.
Harry Wells made a clean catch at the restart to send Murimurivalu clear upfield. The attack ended with Connon sweeping up on the touchline, but when Tigers won ball back, the whistle went again, with the referee also talking to stand-in skipper Micky Young after the build-up of penalties.
Matt Scott won a turnover on halfway which set Murimurivalu and Steward on the attack before wing Ben Stevenson cleaned up loose ball in front of the posts and Wilson returned from the sin-bin with his team still in their own territory.
Tigers lost Liebenberg after he caught a boot in the face as he attempted to tackle Tom Penny, with Jasper Wiese coming off the bench.
Falcons got back into the game when wing Wacokecoke finished smartly from an enterprising move instigated by full-back Penny to score in the left-hand corner and make it 15-8 with the final points of the first half, though there was still time for Falcons to find themselves short-handed again with a yellow card for replacement prop Kyle Cooper after another scrum penalty.
Falcons won the first penalty award of the second period, isolating Steward on the floor on halfway, but spilled ball as they approached the Tigers 22 brought the attack to an end.
A fourth scrum allowed Tigers to clear and a weaving run from Potter threatened to take him clear before Falcons squared up in defence.
Another big scrum led to a third try for Tigers, with Wiese and Steward carrying before McPhillips timed his pass to release the outside backs and Moroni was free to score on the left.
The conversion made it 22-8 but Falcons responded with a try as Stevenson broke clear and put Penny in to finish in the left-hand corner. It was his last action as he was injured in the process, but fly-half Connon’s touchline conversion made it 22-15.
Tigers sent on Tom Youngs, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole at the game restarted and got back on the front foot as Wiese picked off a Falcons pass on halfway and McPhillips prodded play cleverly down to the right-hand corner.
Ford replaced McPhillips to reach his century of Tigers appearances and Jack Van Poortvliet joined him at half-back, quickly getting into the game as he followed a Murimurivalu break.
The scrum which followed led to another penalty and Ford knocked it over for a 10-point lead at 25-15.
Scrum dominance gave Ford a chance to take play down the right but Falcons stood their ground in defence until winning a penalty over the ball on their 22-metre line.
Falcons threatened with a powerful run from Gary Graham down the middle of the field and the work of Wilson, but lost possession on their left and then met George Martin’s defensive effort when they tried again.
The defence stood up so well that Falcons were forced backwards in possession until Tommy Reffell won a penalty on halfway.
More of the same followed for another sustained period until a Falcons error and Moroni quickly punted play 50 metres upfield but Graham won the race for the ball as it bounced on his own tryline.
It meant Falcons had to defend a five-metre scrum and they lost prop Mark Tampin to a yellow card – a third of the afternoon – at the set-piece as Tigers put pressure on the line again.
It led to a second penalty try as the scrum approached the tryline, plus trouble for Cooper as he received his second yellow of the game.
That meant changes for the next set-piece with Falcons short-handed for an uncontested scrum and had just 12 men on the field as the game closed with a Tigers scrum in front of the posts which provided the space to put Potter in for his second try on the right and Ford added the kick to close the match.
Commentary
FULL TIME | TIGERS 39-15 FALCONS
TIGERS INTO THE SEMI-FINALS as Newcastle dismissed 39-15 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road this afternoon.
FORD CONVERSION
Fords adds the extra points for Tigers.
POTTERS ADDS HIS SECOND OF THE DAY
Harry Potter runs in his second try of the day following some neat work from the backs.
79
BALL IN HAND FOR TIGERS
An uncontested scrum sees Tigers come away with the ball with Murimurivalu coming attacking down the left, but, a wayward pass hands the Falcons possession who kick clear.
Tigers come back at the Falcons down the right hand side and earn a penalty, opting for scrum.
Another uncontested scrum sees Tigers go through the phases, with Van Poortvliet almost breaking the line. Tigers are seeing ball in hand in these last couple minutes.
KYLE COOPER SECOND YELLOW
Kyle Cooper is shown his second yellow and is sent off with less than 5 to play.
TIGERS PENALTY TRY
Tigers opt for the scrum from the penalty with five minutes to play. Marching forward to the line Tigers are awarded the penalty try.
FALCON YELLOW
Mark Tampin is shown a yellow card for the visitors.
75
SCRUM 5M OUT
The drive from the scrum provides the chance for Leicester to gain the short meters. JVP looks to find Moroni from the breakdown but is unable to collect. We will go back for the penalty advantage.
73
MURIMURIVALU ALMOST...
As we enter the final 10 minutes, the Newcastle pressure continues in and around Leicester's 22.
Moroni picks up a lose ball and kicks long for Murimurivalu to chase. However, Gary Graham is able to just pip him to it on the try line. We'll have a Tigers scrum 5 meters out.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Harry Wells is replaced by Tomas Lavanini.
68
BIG DEFENSIVE EFFORT
A change in possession puts Tigers on the defensive job again. With ball in hand for Newcastle, Leicester look to push the Falcons back.
The hard work pays off as Newcastle are pressed back into their own half, an Tigers earn a penalty. Ford kicks to touch.
65
PATIENT DEFENSIVE PLAY
Approaching the last 15 minutes, Newcastle a applying pressure to the Tigers back line who looks to hold strong and protect this lead.
After some patient defensive play, a mistake at the breakdown provides Leicester with possession. We will reset with a line out.
64
TIGERS LOOK TO ADD TO ADVANTAGE
Newcastle come out of the scrum, finding Stevenson and Chick. Working the ball left a Mulipola knock-on provides Tigers with the scrum. From the resulting scrum Tigers earn the penalty and Ford once again finds touch.
A neat line out from Youngs allow Leicester to work it quickly. Heavy drives from Wiese and Martin sees Tigers work it left to right. However, Martin is penalised at the breakdown and Newcastle gain possession with a kick to touch.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Dan Kelly replaces Matt Scott on the sixty-minute mark.
59
KICKING BATTLE
Kick battle from the restart sees a spiral bomb from George Ford cause trouble for the Newcastle back line. Tigers earn the penalty and kick to the corner.
Youngs throw in and the line out breaks down with Falcons clearing. Tigers then work the ball right in their own half but a over hit kick from Potter creeps over the Newcastle try line. Scrum Falcons.
GEORGE FORD EXTENDS LEAD
Ford adds the points for Tigers to extend the lead for Tigers by 10 points, 25-15.
56
PENALTY OPPORTUNITY
Michael Young feeds the scrum, but a strong Tigers pack earns the penalty.
Ford opts to kick for the posts...
55
SCRUM IN FALCON HALF
Leicester new halfback pairing combine to get Tigers moving. After a few phases a penalty goes Newcastle way. We will have a scrum in the Falcons 22.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
George Ford and Jack van Poortvliet enter the pitch Tigers. George Ford comes on for his 100th Leicester Tigers appearance.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Tom Youngs, Ellis Genge, and Dan Cole enter the field for Tigers replacing Charlie Clare, Luan de Bruin, and Joe Heyes.
CONNON CONVERTS
Brett Connon adds the extra points for the Falcons making the score 22-15.
PENNY RESPONDS WITH TRY
Newcastle break 50m and Tom Penny is the man on the end following a well worked move from the visitors. 2 tries in as many minutes makes the score 22-13.
MCPHILLIPS ADDS THE CONVERSION
Johnny McPhillips kicks from out wide to extends Tigers lead to 14.
MORONI GOES OVER
Matias Moroni runs in the try following Tigers having the extra man over. Tigers lead is extended to 20-8.
47
TIGERS PRESSURE
Wigglesworth feeds the scrum with Wiese picking up from the base. Tigers testing this Falcon defense with carries again from Wiese and Martin.
Matt Scott finds space and Tigers have the man over...
44
POTTER BREAKS LINE
George McGuigan takes the resulting line out, with heavy runners from Newcastle following. However, the ball is lost forward and a scrum is awarded Tigers way.
Wigglesworth feeds in, but the scrum breaks down and Tigers are awarded the penalty. McPhillips kicks to touch.
Martin collects Clare's line out and McPhillips clears. Michael Young collects from the breakdown and box kick clears.
Potter collects and breaks the line gaining around 20m for Leicester. We'll go back for the Leicester penalty.
41
EARLY FALCON PENALTY
Tom Penny gathers Leicester's kick-off, with Freddie Steward collecting Michael Young's box kick.
Penalty goes Falcons way at the breakdown, Brett Connon kicks to touch.
40
BACK UNDERWAY FOR THE SECOND HALF
Tigers get things back underway through Johnny McPhillips.
HALF TIME | TIGERS 15-8 FALCONS
Scrum reset for Newcastle sees them kick clear. Steward returns, with Newcastle then returning themselves.
Brett Connon then opts to kick out to bring the half the an end. Tigers lead by 7 at the break thanks to a try from Potter and a penalty try.
KYLE COOPER SEES YELLOW
Newcastle earn a penalty off the restart, with some pushing and shoving adding to some afters.
A misplaced pass following the Falcon line out gives Tigers possession. A scrum is awarded for the knock-on
Wigglesworth to feed in sees Tigers earn another penalty, with Kyle Cooper penalised.
34
CONNON MISSES CONVERSION
Brett Connon misses the resulting kick, Tigers still lead 15-8 with just over five minutes to play in this first half.
TRY FOR THE FALCONS
Wigglesworth's wayward kick provides Falcons a lineout in the Tigers half. Newcastle work it right before and overcooked kick leads to Tigers line out.
Tigers clear from their own line out but the Falcons come back through Tom Penny working it wide and breaking the line. George Wacokecoke is able to find space and get over the line.
30
LAST 10 OF THE HALF
Tigers scrum in their own 22 earns them a penalty, with McPhillips then kicking into touch.
Martin receives the line out from Clare, with Wigglesworth box kicking deep into Falcon territory. Steward gets under the return kick as Tigers work through the phases.
Steward has a go down the left and right before running out of space and giving Newcastle the line out.
WIESE ENTERS THE FIELD
Jasper Wiese replaces Hanro Liebenberg following treatment.
27
LIEBENBERG HIA
Clare finds Callum Henderson with a familiar looking maul then formed. However, Newcastle do well and earn themselves a penalty for their efforts. Falcon scrum.
The clearing kick is taken by Steward, with McPhillips returning Tigers own kick. A game of kick tennis is then formed with numerous kicks exchanged between the two teams.
A break in play is then issued to allow Liebenberg to recieve treament for a boot to the face.
23
END TO END ACTION
Geroge McGuigan takes the line out for the Falcons after kicking into touch. A couple of phases later though Tigers are able to win the penalty at the breakdown. Scrum Tigers way.
Wigglesworth find McPhillips out of the touch who kicks with Tom Penny on the resulting end.
A turnover forced by Tigers sees Murimurivalu step his way through Newcastle tackles. Steward opts from a kick and go in behind but Falcons are able to recover with Michael Young able to kick clear.
20
NEWCASTLE TURNOVER
Connon from the KO overcooks it and the ball rolls over Leicester's try line, we'll go to a scrum on halfway.
Tigers earn a penalty from the scrum with McPhillips once again kicking into touch, Charlie Clare to take the line out.
Going through the phases, a penalty is then awarded to Newcastle at the breakdown.
MCPHILLIPS ADDS THE POINTS
Johnny McPhillips kicks an easy conversion under the posts to extend Tigers lead to 15-3.
17
PENALTY OPPORTUNITY
Leicester remain with the ball 5m out following the resulting line out.
Penalty coming Tigers way, McPhillips has a chance to add the points...
15
TIGERS RETAIN BALL FROM KO
Harry Wells collects the restart and finds Murimurivalu who is able to break the line passing left to Wigglesworth. A tackle into touch then provides Tigers another line out.
MARK WILSON SHOWN YELLOW
The Newcastle captain will spend 10-minutes in the sin bin.
PENALTY TRY TIGERS
Cameron Henderson receives the following line out with the maul formed and barrowling forward.
It is collapsed illegally and Romain Poite awards the penalty try. Tigers lead 12-3.
13
LINEOUT TAKE 2
Charlie Clare takes the resulting line out with Liebenberg receiving.
The maul breaks down and another penalty it awarded Leicester's way.
12
TIGERS LINEOUT...
Tigers have ball in hand from the restart with Wigglesworth dictating the play. McPhillips opts to kick long with Potter able to do well and gain possession under the high ball.
Leicester work it through Murimurivalu and now find themselves within the 5m line. A penalty goes Tigers way with McPhillips finding touch, a line out drive is on its way...
NEWCASTLE PENALTY KICK
First points of the day for the Falcons as Brett Connon opts for the posts to reduce the deficit to 5-3.
7
NEWCASTLE LOOK TO RESPOND
Geroge Wacokecoke gets on the end of the kick-off for Newcastle, with the Falcons looking to quickly respond from the early try.
Newcastle look to add pressure in Tigers 22, but a kick in behind is overcooked. We will go back for a penalty.
POTTER TRY
Potter gets on the end and barrels over from a deft kick from McPhillips.
The resulting conversion is missed by McPhillips. 5-0.
4
TIGERS PRESSURE
Tigers reset from the scrum and the penalty goes Tigers way. McPhillips to kick into touch.
Charlie Clare takes the resulting line out, picking out Liebenberg.Wigglesworth finds Scott and Murimurivalu who provide some strong carries.
McPhillips nudges a little kick in behind to the right flank, with Harry Potter looking to get onto it...
2
EARLY SCRUM
Harry Wells collects from the kick-off, with Wigglesworth box kicking away.
The Falcons then return with their own box kick, which is followed by a knock-on by Newcastle. Scrum for Tigers.
0
KICK-OFF | TIGERS V FALCONS
It’s Brett Connon to gets this Challenge Cup quarter-final underway with Tigers playing from right to left from our position here in the main stand.
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WARM-UP DONE | TIGERS HEAD IN
It's a cloudy afternoon here in Leicester as the Tigers boys make their way into the changing room, with 5 minutes until we kick-off.
Stay tuned in as we bring you all the latest right here on Matchday Live for this Challenge Cup quarter-final clash with Newcastle Falcons!
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HOW THE VISITORS LINE-UP
Newcastle Falcons: 15 Tom Penny, 14 George Wacokecoke, 13 Matias Orlando, 12 Peter Lucock, 11 Ben Stevenson, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Micky Young; 1 Trevor Davison, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Logovi'i Mulipola, 4 Greg Peterson, 5 Sean Robinson, 6 Will Welch, 7 Mark Wilson (c), 8 Callum Chick.
Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Rob Farrar, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Louis Schreuder, 22 Joel Matavesi, 23 Cooper Vuna
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TODAY’S TIGERS 15
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EUROPEAN PREVIEW | INTO THE FINAL EIGHT
Just two weeks after their Gallagher Premiership fixture, Leicester Tigers and Newcastle Falcons meet again at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, this time in the quarter-final of the European Challenge Cup.
The teams have met five times before in knockout matches, dating back to the Tigers versus Gosforth games in the John Player Cup, but have never met in European competition.
Tigers, who reached the tournament semi-finals in 2019/20, moved into the last eight with a 48-32 win over Irish visitors Connacht last Saturday, following back-to-back wins over French teams Brive and Bayonne in the pool stages. This afternoon, Leicester are attempting to reach a ninth European semi-final encounter.
Read all the important facts and stats in our full match preview here.
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CHALLENGE CUP QUARTER-FINAL | 12:30PM KO 🦁
We’re LIVE for Leicester Tigers’ European Challenge Cup quarter-final against Newcastle Falcons. Follow all the action with our Matchday Live coverage right here on the Tigers App and LeicesterTigers.com.