Leicester Tigers recorded a first away win of the Gallagher Premiership season with a 20-14 triumph over Gloucester Rugby at Kingsholm on Saturday.
It was a first league win on the team’s travels since April 2019 and put Tigers ahead in an historic rivalry with the Cherry and Whites for the first time.
Tries in the first half from Tom Youngs and Dan Kelly, both from lineout drives, gave Tigers a 15-7 lead at the interval in pursuit of a first Kingsholm victory since September 2016 and a seasonal double over the Cherry and Whites.
Gloucester responded with the opening score of the second period before Harry Wells touched down his team’s third of the day, though the visitors had to dig deep to withstand some late attacks from the hosts and take the four points.
Youngs and Dan Cole were the only survivors from the team’s last win at Kingsholm, on the opening day of the 2016/17 Premiership season when four tries in the final half-hour overturned a 31-point deficit on the way to a 38-31 victory.
On a bright but cold and breezy afternoon, Henry got the game started and both teams felt their way into it with play concentrated in the area within 20 metres of halfway and the unpredictable wind playing its part.
Freddie Steward looked impressive under early kicks, particularly in preventing a George Barton penalty on the left from reaching touch, and Kelly provided the first opening, linking well with Matias Moroni down the right before Gloucester were penalised in defence.
When the whistle went again, Tigers almost capitalised with points on the board, but referee Adam Leal and TMO Geoff Warren could not determine a clear picture of the ball being grounded from a lineout drive.
A run of four penalties in the opposite direction gave Gloucester decent field position on their left and eventually, with referee Leal signalling advantage again, they created an overlap for the opening score on 18 minutes.
It was Santiago Carreras who dived in for the try, the Argentinian who had been a late switch from wing to full-back after the withdrawal of Kyle Moyle. Barton’s touchline conversion made it 7-0.
But they were to be the hosts’ only points of the first half as Tigers got on top in the second quarter.
A run from Hanro Liebenberg, back from a two-match ban, took play to within 15 metres of the Gloucester line in response, showing two dummies out wide, and moments later the back-rower was back on the ball to set up the try for skipper Youngs.
First, a scrum penalty allowed Tigers to go to the right-and corner and, after Liebenberg secured lineout ball, Youngs got back on to the ball to finish the drive to the line and score his fourth try of the season. Henry’s conversion was not the prettiest but did add the extras to level the scores.
Keeping Gloucester pinned back, Cyle Brink carried well in the centre of the field and then a penalty on the left provided the next score as centre Kelly joined the maul to take the final push to the line. Henry’s conversion unfortunately slid just wide with his side 12-7 in front.
A Kini Murimurivalu break on the left posed another threat and Tommy Reffell picked a perfect line through the defence to get Tigers forward again. When Gloucester were penalised in front of the posts, Henry knocked over the kick to stretch the lead before half-time.
Gloucester had already changed two-thirds of their front row before the break but they emerged rom the dressing rooms to claim the opening score of the second period, playing through phases of ball before Slater broke a tackle to score to the left of the posts. Barton’s extras brought them back to within a point at 14-15.
After soaking up some more pressure, Tigers gained ground from a Liebenberg carry at the base of a defensive scrum and then used a penalty award to reach halfway.
Moroni looked sharp in latching on to spilled Gloucester ball and then regathering on their 22 as Tigers got forward again. But after Liebenberg and Kobus van Wyk exchanged passes on the right, play was stopped for a knock-on.
Nephi Leatigaga, on as a replacement, made his presence felt with two strong carries as Tigers showed some composure in possession and it paid off as Wells picked up at a ruck to force his way over the line. Henry hooked the low kick wide with Tigers 20-14 in front.
The big Samoan then showed his strength in defence, having two bites at a breakdown before gaining a penalty on the floor to relieve some pressure.
Tigers found themselves back in defence when Gloucester counter-rucked on their 10-metre line and then Steward was adjudged to have knocked-on and he fielded their clearing kick. But before the scrum could set, the TMO informed the referee that he had not touched the ball, giving Tigers put-in at the restart instead.
Van Wyk was penalised for a high tackle as he rushed out of the defensive line near the right touchline but with just five minutes remaining, Barton over-it his kick beyond the tryline and play came back for a scrum with put-in for the visitors.
But the whistle went against Tigers, who were then marched back, and had another set-piece to defend. This time, as Gloucester got set, the defence stood firm and wrapped up ball five metres out.
The scrum provided messy ball with both teams piling men into contact and Tigers then lost possession again to give Gloucester a scrum with the clock in the red. But they pack timed its push to perfection to knock their rivals back and finally bring the last whistle of the day.
Commentary
FULL-TIME | GLOUCESTER 14-20 TIGERS
Tries from Tom Youngs, Dan Kelly and Harry Wells enough for the win on the day as Tigers win at Kingsholm for the first time since 2016.
79
TIGERS WALK IT OUT
Tigers make the right decision as JVP looks to run down the clock from the scrum. Gloucester too eager in the breakdown and the Tigers huddle as they look close the game out.
77
GLOUCESTER FIVE METRES OUT
The Gloucester line-out finds home hands, the maul forms and Tigers having to defend their line. Tigers win the turnover and win the scrum! It's Tomas Lavanini who is there when it matters.
76
BARTON MISSES TOUCH...TIGERS SCRUM
George Barton gets his angles wrong and Tigers have the scrum. But the penalty is Gloucesters. Tigers also marched ten metres for some back-chat to the ref.
75
GLOUCESTER GO THROUGH PHASES
Frasier Balmain breaks the line for Gloucester and Kobus Van Wyk is penalised for a high tackle in the build.
A one-try game as we head into the final five minutes.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Try-scorer Harry Wells comes off for Tomas Lavanini.
73
TIGERS PACK WIN CRUCIAL PENALTY
The Tigers pack does its job as momentum swings back in Tigers favour. Jamal Ford-Robinson adjudged to have collapsed the scrum.
72
TIGERS MISTAKES GIVE GLOUCESTER BALL
Hesitation from JVP and the fingertips of Freddie Steward force a knock-on and Gloucester have the ball.
The TMO overturns the on-field decision and a Tigers scrum now.
70
10 MINUTES REMAINING
Tigers with the line-out drive with just ten minutes of the game left. Ball still with Tigers. JVP goes short to Harry Wells.
Ball now in the Gloucester 22. Charlie Chapman scoops clear but Tigers quick on the recycle.
68
GLOUCESTER BALL
Scrum penalty goes Gloucester way and Barton hits the line from the boot.
Craig collects and Gloucester fo through the motions, but it's a simple error denying the tackle. Ball back in Tigers possesion.
65
NEPHI STRONG IN THE JACKAL
Tommy Reffell fells Slater and it's the work of Nephi to win the penalty.
Tigers line-out from the touch. JVP kicks clear. It's spilled but Charlie Chapman covers. Penalty spotted by Adam Leal and we have a scrum on the half-way line in the home team's favour.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Jack Van Poortvliet comes on for Richard Wigglesworth at scrum-half.
62
TIGERS PLAYING FOR TERRITORY
Henry finding more space to kick into the Gloucester half. The Cherry and Whites with the line-out. Heinz box-kicks. And Harry Wells gets over the ball and Tigers can now break.
Kelly held up, Leatigaga with the drive. Murimurivalu knocks forward however and ball back with Gloucester.
60
HEAAAAAVVEEEE
Tigers with the scrum. Wigglesworth at the base. Finds Henry. Who flings it to Steward who kicks but it rolls into the dead zone.
58
WELLS FORCES THE TOUCH
Harry Wells with a big hit on Tom Seabrook to drag him into touch just as Gloucester work the ball out wide. The midfield linking well, but the big man is there.
Clare with the line-out. Green finds Wigglesworth. Henry's boot clears. Tigers penalty from the kick-chase.
55
HENRY MISSES CONVERSION ATTEMPT
It's pulled right by Zack Henry as Tigers lead remains 14-20.
WELL, WELL, WELLS...TRY FOR TIGERS
Harry Wells with the pick-and-go following some fancy footwork from Zack Henry. Tigers extend their lead.
54
TIGERS ADVANCE...
Clare with the line-out ball and the maul forms with Liebenberg breaking away. He's held up, and van Wyk comes in-field again. Henry finds Clare and the ball switches out to the left, and then the right.
Van Wyk tackled, and Heyes finds Henry, who finds Heyes again. Tigers set for the pick-and-go. Harry Wells barrells forward...
52
EXCHANGE OF POSSESSION
Both teams losing and winning possession as quickly as one another.
A combined back-row effort forces Jacob Morris into touch to the delight of the Tigers bench in front of the stadium's main stand.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
An entire change in the front row for Tigers as Charlie Clare, Nephi Leatigaga and Joe Heyes come on for Youngs, De Bruin and Cole.
50
TIGERS BREAK
Ball recycled by Tigers and metres made by the advancing forward. Brink, Liebenberg and Van Wyk all involved, but Adam Leal goes back for the knock-on from the Tigers wing.
49
BATTLING FOR POSSESSION
Henry finds touch and a chance for the away side to breath. Youngs fires in from touch and it's not a clean catch, but Wigglesworth clears up.
Gloucester with possession from the kick. Gloucester go through the phase and it's loose for Matias Moroni. A scrappy bit of play and the ball still in Tigers hands.
46
SKIP IN GLOUCESTER'S STEP
This a bit more about Gloucester since the restart as they come back at Tigers. Calum Green gives away the penalty and Barton kicks for touch.
Line-out from Socino and Gloucester attempt the rolling maul. However, it's lost forward by Jack Stanley. Tigers go for the scrum on their own five metre line.
BARTON SQUEEZES IN CONVERSION
Just one point between the two sides now as George Barton converts from the tee.
QUICK REPLY FOR GLOUCESTER
Former Tiger Ed Slater runs the line and can score for Gloucester from the restart.
42
EARLY GLOUCESTER BREAK
Carreras finds space in the middle of the park and it's all Gloucester in the opening minute of the second half.
Jordy Reid gets involved and Ackermann is tackled. Seabrook has a run and Jamal Ford-Robinson is hit hard as Tigers keep up the quick line-speed. Tap-penalty taken quickly by Heinz and Barton tries to squeeze down the Tigers flank...
40
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
George Barton gets the second half underway with Tigers eight points to the good here at Kingsholm.
HALF-TIME | GLOUCESTER 7-15 TIGERS
Tigers finish the half strong with the ball in hand, and Richard Wigglesworth slows things down before firing into touch. Tigers with the lead.
39
GLOUCESTER SURVIVE
Gloucester win the turnover just when it matters and Barton is able to kick to touch. Tigers line-out on their right flank.
Youngs, just finds Wells and Dan Cole has a charge. Ball fired out wide to Van Wyk, and Henry's boot goes high. Gloucester collect. Ball still in the Gloucester half, before a Heinz clearance.
37
TIGERS TURN SCREW
Calum Green collects off the line-out. Murimurivalu with the charge off the phase, and Tom Youngs has a run at Gloucester.
Henry kicks for territroy and it's lost by Carreras, Liebenberg collects and now Tigers have the ascendency.
35
LEICESTER KEEPING GLOUCESTER AT BAY
Scrum coming Tigers way, as Tigers defensive line keeping firm as we head into the half's final five minutes.
Wigglesworth feeds, and win the penalty. Henry kicks to touch.
HENRY KICKS PENALTY POINTS
Zack Henry now two from three as Tigers lead is extended.
33
TIGERS PENALTY
Penalty given for illegal jackaling in the Gloucester ranks.
Henry with the chance to kick for the points...
32
GLOUCESTER PRESSURE FROM KO
Tigers having to defend from the restart as Heinz picks up the pace as Gloucester opt to carry.
Ball escapes and Tigers come forward. Murimurivalu and Steward charging forward. Matias Moroni getting involved and Tommy Reffell breaks the line. He's held up and Tigers now just five metres out.
KELLY TRY FOR TIGERS LEAD
Dan Kelly gets his first try for Tigers out of the back of the line-out drive and Tigers have the lead.
Henry misses the conversion with scores 7-12.
28
TIGERS LINE-OUT...YOU KNOW WHAT'S COMING
Tom Youngs throws in deep in the Gloucester half. Liebenberg plucks it out of the air, and the maul rumbles forward.
Tigers add to the pack and Dan Kelly looks to have burrowed over for his first try...
27
TIGERS SET PEICE FORCES PENALTY
Liebenberg collects the line-out. Leicester have the penalty, but still have the ball. Brink barrells in. Zack Henry dances through, but it comes to nothing and we head back for the penalty.
Henry hits the corner.
26
PACKS HEAD-TO-HEAD
Words send in the front row as we reset the scrum. The ball comes out as Seabrook and Twelvetrees run their lines, but the Tigers defence holds strong.
Ball with Tigers now and Murimurivalu feeds off the scraps and Moroni is there to chase. Twelvetrees recovers but falls on the ball and Heinz kicks clear, but good pressure from Tigers.
HENRY ADD EXTRAS
Zack Henry is off the mark as he levels the scores from the tee. 7-all after 20 minutes.
SKIPPER SCORE FOR TIGERS
TRY FOR THE SKIPPER. Tom Youngs gets the Tigers first try as he reaches forward from carrying the ball at the back of the line-out drive.
21
PENALTY WON BY TIGERS AT SET-SCRUM
Dan Cole does the business when Tigers need it and wins the penalty off the scrum deep in the Gloucester half. Henry finds touch and Youngs winds up the throw.
Momentum behind the maul and Tom Youngs darts for the line...
20
LIEBENBERG DRIVES FORWARD
Leicester pressure Gloucester straight away from the kick and Hanro Liebenberg barrels through the Cherry and Whites defensive line.
Breaching the Gloucester five metres and the ball is lost, but extordinary strength from the South African to bully the defenders around him.
BARTON CONVERTS
George Barton kicks from out wide and Gloucester lead by 7 points to Tigers nil.
GLOUCESTER OPEN SCORING
Santiago Carreras goes over the line on the Tigers right flank finding space to open the scoring for the afternoon. Gloucester have the lead.
17
GLOUCESTER ON FIVE METRE LINE
Alemanno collects off the Socino line-out and Heinz pops the ball out. Jordy Reid drives forward, then Socino and the play moves towards the Tigers right flank.
Ludlow has an attempt but Harry Wells is there to hold up. But Barton finds space and Carreras is free to run over.
15
GLOUCESTER MOVE INTO TIGERS HALF
Heinz finds Barton and Ed Slater carries as Gloucester look to open the play over to the left. Adam Leal spots an infringement from Tigers however as the play comes to nothing and Barton kicks for touch.
Ball collected by Slater and the maul forms. Penalty advantage going Gloucester's way. Barton again goes for touch.
13
GLOUCESTER RUN BALL OUT
Gloucester opt for the scrum and run the ball out as Barton finds Twelvetrees.
Freddie Steward fumbles the clearance kick and now a chance for Gloucester to come at Tigers. Scrum for the knock-on.
11
CHANCE MISSED FOR TIGERS
Wigglesworth finds Kobus Van Wyk who finds Moroni but the ball is lost and now a chance for Gloucester to clear.
Chance missed for Tigers there.
10
TMO AWARDS...NO TRY
The ball is held up and no try for Tigers with no clear grounding for Adam Leal to award.
We'll reset for the scrum.
10
TIGERS RUMBLE TOWARDS LINE...
It's a familiar sight as the Tigers line-out drive looks to have gone over for the game's first try. It will go to the TMO as it's another well worked set-peice for Tigers.
9
TIGERS BREAK GLOUCESTER 22
Tigers making ground now as the heavies look to gain the short yards as Tigers break the Gloucester 22 for the first time through Dan Kelly.
We'll come back for the penalty advantage and Henry finds touch. Tom Youngs throws in and the maul forms. It's broken up and Wigglesworth now at the base. Ball is dropped, but we go back for the earlier Leicester penalty.
7
GAME'S FIRST SCRUM
Mistake from Dan Kelly results in the game's first scrum. Ruan Ackermann picks up from the base and goes through the motions from the offload.
Wigglesworth box-kicks Tigers clear and Jordy Reid has a run at the Tigers defence. Heinz turn to kick and Freddie Steward collects. Henry finds Murmurivalu but is held up. Tigers turn to go through the phases.
4
BALL IN HAND FOR TIGERS
Gloucester line-out and Twelvetrees receives the ball out the back and Gloucester begin to go through the phases.
Liebenberg and Wells quick off the line for Tigers and Barton mis-kicks and a Tigers line-out thrown to the front.
2
EARLY PRESSING
Willi Heinz kicks clear from the back of the breakdown as Gloucester collect the high ball. Wiggleworth's turn to get hands on ball and aims the kick-chase.
Ball back with Gloucester and they win the early penalty in their own half. George Barton finds touch down the left flank but Steward collects and the ball still live.
KICK-OFF | GLOUCESTER V TIGERS
Zack Henry gets things underway this afternoon with Tigers playing from right to left from our position here in the main stand.
Tigers in blue against the Cherry and Whites.
0
WARM UPS DONE. KO ON THE WAY
Both teams are finishing their warm-ups before they make their way into the dressing rooms for those final words.
We’re just five minutes from KO here at Kingsholm as Tigers look to build on last weekend’s win over London Irish.
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0
LEICESTER TIGERS TEAM NEWS
[Club appearances in brackets]
15 Freddie Steward [22]
14 Kobus Van Wyk [8]
13 Matías Moroni [7]
12 Dan Kelly [8]
11 Kini Murimurivalu [11]
10 Zack Henry [17]
9 Richard Wigglesworth [7]
1 Luan de Bruin [7]
2 Tom Youngs (c) [205]
3 Dan Cole [253]
4 Harry Wells [111]
5 Calum Green [52]
6 Cyle Brink [10]
7 Tommy Reffell [37]
8 Hanro Liebenberg [24]
Replacements
16 Charlie Clare [21], 17 Nephi Leatigaga [40], 18 Joe Heyes [58], 19 Tomás Lavanini [27] , 20 Ollie Chessum [6], 21 Jack Van Poortvliet [13], 22 Johnny McPhillips [14], 23 Guy Porter [12]
0
THE GLOUCESTER TEAM
CHANGE as Jacob Morris comes in for Kyle Moyle, with Santiago Carreras moving to fullback.
15 Santiago Carreras, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Tom Seabrook, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Jacob Morris, 10 George Barton, 9 Willi Heinz; 1 Alex Seville, 2 Santiago Socino, 3 Jack Stanley, 4 Ed Slater, 5 Matias Alemanno, 6 Jordy Reid, 7 Lewis Ludlow (c), 8 Ruan Ackermann.
Replacements: 16 Henry Walker, 17 Jamal Ford-Robinson, 18 Fraser Balmain, 19 Alex Craig, 20 Jack Clement, 21 Charlie Chapman, 22 Henry Trinder, 23 Matt Banahan
0
AN ANCIENT RIVALRY
The clubs first met 130 years ago and have now met on 226 occasions. There is nothing to separate them on win count either with 116 each.
Tigers have lost just one of the last four league meetings between the teams – at Kingsholm in August 2020.
Youngs and Dan Cole are the only Tigers survivors from the team’s last win at Kingsholm, on the opening day of the 2016/17 Premiership season, when four tries in the final half-hour overturned a 31-point deficit on the way to a 38-31 victory.
A 22-14 victory against Worcester in Round 11 ended a run of four successive home defeats for Gloucester who added a win at Wasps last weekend to move off the foot of the table and they are now chasing three wins in a row in the competition for the first time since April 2019.
Read our full match preview by clicking here
0
TIGERS TRIP TO GLOUCESTER IN ROUND 13
Leicester Tigers are on the road away at Kingsholm in this weekend’s Gallagher Premiership Round 13 fixtures with kick-off just half an hour away.
Catch all the action live as it happens with Matchday Live on the Leicester Tigers app as we build up to the 130 year rivalry.