Leicester Tigers claimed three tries and four points in a 33-32 victory over London Irish at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Friday evening.
The Exiles arrived with just one defeat on their record since early December and got off to a flying start in the Gallagher Premiership Round 12 encounter with a first-minute converted try from international fly-half Paddy Jackson.
Tigers patiently found their way back into the game and created a well-worked score for wing Kobus van Wyk as the teams reached half-time level at 13-13.
Ollie Chessum then came off the bench to score in the opening minutes of the second half and Tigers led by 10 before Ollie Hassell-Collins scored for Irish approaching the final quarter.
The Exiles lost Terrence Hepetema to a red card and a Kini Murimurivalu score provided some breathing space for Tigers on the way to another home win.
But that was not before more drama in the closing stages as Tigers collected two yellow cards, conceded a penalty try and, finally, saw Irish turn down a kick to the posts with the clock in the red to set up their own bonus-point try and ensure they headed home with two consolation points from the game.
With four players still in camp with the England squad, Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick recalled Freddie Steward, Matt Scott, Richard Wigglesworth and Henry, while also restoring Luan de Bruin, Dan Cole, Calum Green and Cyle Brink in the forward pack.
Irish included the experience of Test veterans Agustin Creevy, Rob Simmons and Blair Cowan in their front eight, with Jackson steering from fly-half.
It was the Irishman who got the game underway, and just 37 seconds later he was over the tryline for the opening score of the night.
Tigers had safely caught the kick-off, but ball was ripped free in contact by Blair Cowan, and former Leicester duo Steve Mafi and then Terrence Hepetema linked up to put Jackson over and he added the conversion for a seven-point start.
The hosts looked for an immediate reply with Tomas Lavanini involved three times as the forwards carried to within reach of the tryline at the opposite end. But when ball fell loose, referee Wayne Barnes came back to check the height of a tackle on Luan be Bruin and issued a yellow card to Irish skipper Matt Rogerson.
Zack Henry kicked the three points from in front of the posts to get Tigers off the mark.
When Mafi broke clear from a ruck, Tigers were penalised at the next breakdown. Jackson, after 14 successes in a row in Premiership rugby, pushed the kick just wide.
A pinpoint cross-kick then set Ollie Hassell-Collins into space on the Exiles’ left and, when Tigers infringed again, Jackson added the three points for a 10-3 lead after just 13 minutes.
Matias Moroni then found himself in the right place at the right time to latch in to loose ball but, when he kicked towards the left-hand corner, that man Jackson was there to dive on it.
Rogerson was back from the sin bin by the time of the first scrum of the game on the 20-minute mark, but strong work in midfield countered the Irish attack and Moroni hacked clear.
Tom Parton departure with an injury gave a Premiership debut to young Will Joseph in the Irish backline, but the whistle continued to blow against Tigers, this time at a lineout in Irish territory.
Finally a penalty in Leicester’s favour provided an opportunity to build an attack, with Tommy Reffell and Calum Green carrying before the whistle went again. This time, after a set-up from the lineout, Dan Cole made big metres and Henry’s perfect inside ball put Van Wyk in to score for the first time since the opening day of the season.
Henry’s conversion levelled the scores on 26 minutes but Jackson quickly added another penalty to push Irish noses in front once more at 13-10.
Kick-chase from Van Wyk earned the reward of a penalty on the edge of the Irish 22 to set up a promising position for the forwards on the left. But after meeting strong defence on the tryline, eventually it was left to Henry to tie the scores with another penalty and the final points of the opening period.
Chessum replaced Lavanini at the start of the second half and the young forward claimed his first club try three minutes later, making the final push after strong work from Reffell and Porter.
A perfect conversion from the left touchline by Henry took Tigers in front for the first time on the night at 20-13.
Quick interplay down the left set Irish away and they got the ball down after outnumbering the defenders, referee Wayne Barnes came back to check a block on Henry in the defensive line on halfway and, instead, gave Tigers a penalty.
Moments later, at their first scrum put-in of the evening, Barnes whistled again and Henry completed the kick to put Tigers 10 in front.
Steve Borthwick sent on a new front row for the restart and, with penalties starting to mount up against the Exiles, skipper Rogerson was told to speak to his colleagues with Irish pinned back.
Irish were denied again after prop Will Goodrick-Clarke pushed his way over, only for a knock-on to be picked up by the TMO.
But, already with advantage, they came back for a penalty and when the forwards provided ball, Nick Phipps sent Hassell-Collins in to the left-hand corner to score. Jackson was narrowly off-target with the kick as Tigers’ lead was cut to 23-18 and set up an intriguing final quarter.
A breakdown penalty after Van Wyk’s carry in midfield gave Henry another sight of the posts. But he had to wait while Barnes and the TMO checked a tackle from Hepetema on the Tigers wing which ended with a red card to the Exiles centre.
Henry missed the kick after the delay, but Johnny McPhillips – on for Van Wyk – made sure with the next one to put Tigers eight points in front.
Even better followed as Murimurivalu charged on to a clever pass from replacement Jack Van Poortvliet to make a diagonal run over the line for his team’s third try and McPhillips added the extras for a 33-18 lead with 12 minutes remaining.
When Irish reached the tryline at the other end, determined work over the ball brought a Tigers penalty and the chance to take play back up to halfway.
Van Poortvliet’s dart after strong work from Brink at the base of scrum provided another chance but Tigers missed touch with a resultant penalty.
The scrum, though, had Irish in trouble just outside their own 22 and another penalty gave the forwards another chance in the corner, only to be closed out against the touchline as they looked for the bonus-point score just a few metres out.
Irish got back on the attack and were awarded a penalty try after checking a deliberate knock-on from Van Poortvliet on his own tryline and the scrum-half also received a yellow card.
Then, with the clock up to 80, Joe Heyes saw yellow for a high tackle and Irish took their final throw of the dice as Jackson kicked to the corner rather than the posts and got his reward as it set up the chance for Matt Cornish to score from a forward drive. Jackson finally brought proceedings to a close with the conversion.
Commentary
FULL-TIME | TIGERS 33-32 IRISH
Tigers take the points here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in a close encounter with London Irish. Tries from Van Wyk, Chessum and Murimurivalu enough for Tigers.
IRISH SCORE LATE TRY
Joe Heyes is shown yellow for a high tackle with time up on the clock as Irish continue to fight for a point to leave Leicester this evening.
Following a kick to the corner, the visitors close out the game with seven points, to leave just one point between the teams.
PENALTY TRY FOR IRISH
A deliberate knock-on from JVP hands the Exiles seven points and sees him sent to the sin bin with two minutes on the clock.
77
TIGERS LINE-OUT...BONUS POINT WITHIN REACH
Charlie Clare finds Chessum from the line-out in the Irish half. Touch is found by Irish, and it's a break by the away side. Will Joseph make's a 40 yard dash and McPhillips collects the miss-placed pass and things boil over between both sides.
Ball still with Irish with the line-out.
75
TIGERS RAISE TEMPO
Tigers raising the tempo of the game as JVP keeps things moving at pace.
London Irish with the scrum in their own half. But it's a Tigers win in the pack. They reset and Tigers go for the scrum again.
72
TIGERS WIN PENALTY AFTER IRISH RESTART
Tom Youngs with the resulting lineout collected by Tigers as they make the short meters.
Van Poortvliet kicks and it is collected by Irish. Knock-on by Irish, Tigers scrum.
MCPHILLIPS KICKS EXTRAS
Johnny McPhillips makes it two from two and Tigers lead 33-18.
MURIMURIVALU TRY FOR TIGERS
Kini Murimurivalu scores for Tigers as they extend their lead over Irish. A lovely lay-off from Jack Van Poortvliet and Tigers fans breathe a sign of relief.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Jack Van Poortvliet comes on for Richard Wigglesworth for Tigers.
MCPHILLIPS TAKES ON KICKING DUTIES
Replacement fly-half Johnny McPhillips kicks Tigers to another three points.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Johnny McPhillips comes on for the injured Kobus Van Wyk
63
TIGERS MAKING MAN ADVANTAGE COUNT
Steward, Scott and Moroni all charging forward with the ball as Tigers look to make the man advantage count. Irish collect the ball off the boot, but ball back to Leicester and Wiggleworth is obstructed. Penalty Tigers way.
60
HENRY MISSES RESULTING PENALTY
Zack Henry misses the resulting the penalty uncharacteristically as Irish let-off.
IRISH DOWN TO 14 WITH RED CARD
It's a red card shown to Terrance Hepetema for a high tackle leading with the shoulder on Kobus Van Wyk, who received treatment on the pitch.
60
TIGERS CHANCE FROM THE SCRUM
Tigers try and work it for Kobus Van Wyk from the scrum, but he's held up by Paddy Jackson. Ball still with Tigers and Murimurivalu tries to gain the yards down the left flank, but we'll go back for a penalty for a high tackle.
Wayne Barnes taking a look at this one...
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Murimurivalu comes on for Guy Porter on the wing.
55
CONVERSION MISSED BY JACKSON
Jackson's first miss of the game as the scores remain 23-18.
TRY FOR IRISH
It's a fantastic take by Ollie Hassell-Collins after the ball is fired across by Nick Phipps. Irish back in the game with their second try of the game.
54
IRISH WIN PENALTY ON TIGERS TRYLINE
Tigers hold the line just enough to stop the try, but are caught offside and we'll go back for the penalty for Paddy Jackson.
Wayne Barnes has spotted in infringement in the build-up however, as Nick Phipps has hands on ball, before moving it with the boot...No penalty attempt for Irish and we'll go back for the kick to touch,
52
TIGERS PRESSURE DOESN'T COME OFF
London Irish do well to keep the ball under pressure as Tigers give away the penalty after some strong drives from the Tigers pack. The driving line-out not working off on this occasion.
Irish now with the ball and Paddy Jackson finds Loader. Rona is involved further down the phases. Irish now just short of the line.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
It's a new front row for Tigers as Joe Heyes, Charlie Clare and Nephi Leatigaga come on for Cole, Youngs and De Bruin.
TIGERS 23 - 13 IRISH
Tigers now 10 points clear of Irish thanks to yet another successful kick from the Leicester No. 10.
47
HENRY GAINS YARDS DOWN THE LINE
The boot of Zack Henry reverses the play to Irish's 22 in a turn of events and now Tigers can have a go at Irish.
The line-out results in a scrum, and the penalty is given straight away to Leicester with a kick to the posts for Henry now the route taken.
45
NO TRY GIVEN
Wayne Barnes chalks off the try and a let-off for Tigers.
45
PHIPPS REPLIES FOR IRISH...TMO?
Nick Phipps has gone over after receiving the offload from Curtis Rona following a Tigers break.
Tigers have called for Barnes to take a look at this and it's over to the TMO. Potentail blocking off.
HENRY EXTENDS LEAD | 20-13
Tigers 20 points to Exiles 13 courtesy of Zack Henry's kick from the left flank. Tigers on top in the second half.
CHESSUM TRY FOR TIGERS
Ollie Chessum goes over to score his first ever try for Leicester Tigers. The second-half replacement gets Tigers off to a flyer!
42
TIGERS ON THE ATTACK
Tigers poised to pounce in the opening moments of the second half. As some big drives from the Tigers pack. It's the resulting line-out that causes problems and Ollie Chessum looks like he's made the try after riding the first challenge,
40
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Ollie Chessum comes on for Tomas Lavanini as we kick off the second half from Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
HALF-TIME | TIGERS 13-13 IRISH
It's all level at the break.
40
IRISH ADDING PRESSURE IN FINAL MOMENTS
Paddy Jackson's boot finds touch after some possession play from the Exiles.
We'll have a line-out as Tigers look to slow the minutes down. Tigers form the maul and look to run down the clock in their own half.
Tigers still with the ball, as Wigglesworth find Henry. Irish almost capitalise on a misplaced pass but Kobus Van Wyk brings down Ollie Hassell-Collins as Wayne Barnes blows for half-time
HENRY LEVELS SCORES
It's a third successive kick of the night for Zack Henry as we enter the final five minutes of the half.
36
TIGERS TURN UP PRESSURE
Tigers remain with the ball, as they have the penalty advantage. This kick is cleared so we'll go back for the advantage. Henry with a chance to make it 13-all.
34
IRISH GET AWAY WITH IT
The line-out is disrupted and misses the target as Irish come out and can make the yards up the pitch.
Tigers come back as Calum Green and Tom Youngs carry into contact. Matt Scott collects as the first receiver and Tigers playing the short game once again.
32
TIGERS WIN BATTLE IN BREAKDOWN
Zack Henry with an opportunity to kick to touch after the work Kobus Van Wyk and Wigglesworth sees the penalty go Tigers way.
Line-out comes in and Irish give away another penalty for coming in off their feet. Henry will go to touch for five metres out.
JACKSON ADDS MORE POINTS
Paddy Jackson with all of London Irish's points so far, as his kick from the tee goes through the posts. Irish back in front.
28
IRISH COME AT TIGERS
Time for Irish to come at Tigers from the restart. The line-out follows and a chance for Irish to burst through the Tigers defence. Harry Wells is involved in the breakdown, but it's still with Irish as Phipps and Jackson recycle.
Tigers are penalised as Luan De Bruin doesn't roll away, and a chance for Irish to kick at the posts.
HENRY ADDS THE EXTRAS
It's 10-all as Zack Henry adds the points from the tee for Tigers. GAME ON!
VAN WYK TRY FOR TIGERS
It's Kobus Van Wyk finishing off a nicely worked try from the Tigers backline. Tigers back in the game!
25
LINE-OUT TO TIGERS...HERE IT COMES...
Tom Youngs throws in the line-out, Harry Wellcs collects, but Irish do well to halt the Leicester charge. Dan Cole with the ball and has two attempts. Penalty advantage going Tigers way, but still with the ball.
Cole again with the drive, and Lavanini has a go Wigglesworth to Henry and Kobus Van Wyk slices through.
23
TIGERS WIN THE PENALTY AFTER RRESSURE
Irish looking to pin Tigers back but the penalty is awarded in the breakdown and Henry kicks clear.
Youngs with the line-out on the Irish 22. Calum green collects and Wigglesworth is there to orchestrate.
Steward and Porter on the run, but we'll go back for the penalty advantage. Henry finding touch and we know what's coming next.....
21
SCRUM DOWN
We'll have the game's first scrum on the Tigers 22. Nick Phipps to fee in.
The pass out the back is over complicated and Moroni collects the loose ball and kicks to touch with Porter chasing down. we'll have the Irish line-out back in their half.
20
RUGBY 'TENNIS'??
Agustin Creevy with the line-out deep in Tigers half. Tigers defence do enough and it's another exchange of kicks between the teams.
Ben Loader has an attempt on the run, but is held up by Freddie Steward. Ball still with Irish. Jackson with the run, before the Irish props have a go. Kicked high and Guy Porter collects.
It's kicked back to Tigers and it's a mistake from Porter with the knock-on going Irish's way.
18
TERRITORY BATTLE FOR BOTH SIDES
Both teams looking to win the territory with an exchange of possession as Phipps box-kicks for Irish. The line-out stays with Irish and Paddy Jackson uses the boot to spread the play.
Tigers with the collect and Richard Wigglesworth slows the game down. Irish now with possession off the Tigers scrum half's boot.
Ball back with Tigers and Henry collects twice on occasion sending it high, Kobus Van Wyk penalised for the miss-timed tackle.
14
ROLLING MAUL IN IRISH FAVOUR
The line-out is Irish's and they the metres, but Matias Moroni can break following a loose ball as Paddy Jackson chases back. Some neat footwork off the knee, but the Exiles No. 10 does enough to force the grapple.
JACKSON MAKES SURE WITH SECOND ATTEMPT
Hassell-Collins finds space on the Irish left wing and steps inside following a crossfield kick from Paddy Jackson. Irish have the resulting penalty as Tigers too keen in the breakdown.
Jackson again going for the posts and scores the points.
9
JACKSON MISSES OFF THE TEE
Paddy Jackson kicks from the right flank, but he misses and the gap is still four points between the teams.
8
IRISH BREAK WITH MAFI
Steve Mafi finds a break in the Tigers line and charges forwards towards the home sides touchline.
Irish still with the ball on the Tigers 22, Phipps has a drive, but Tomas Lavanini hits the line hard before being caught offside.
Irish penalty, and they will kick to the posts.
HENRY SCORES THE PENALTY
Zack Henry getting Tigers up and running with a simple kick off the tee as Tigers claw back with 3 points to 7.
IRISH DOWN TO 14
The penalty was awarded Tigers way and a chance for Zack Henry to kick for the first Leicester points of the evening.
5
TIGERS BACK AT IRISH
Matt Scott, Tomas Lavanini and Cyle Brink making ground deep in the Irish half. The heavies pouring forward for Tigers.
Leicester looking to make the small metres as they gradually make ground, Tigers very close, but mistake at the final moment and Irish can breath.
IRISH KICK POINTS
Paddy Jackson on the points at the moment as Irish lead 0-7 in the early minutes.
EARLY EXILE TRY
Paddy Jackson scores inside 40 seconds for Irish to put them into an early lead.
KICK-OFF AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
London Irish fly-half Paddy Jackson gets things underway in Round 12 of the Gallagher Premiership season.
0
10 MINUTES UNTIL KO
Ten minutes to go until we’re underway here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Both teams are finishing their warm-ups before they make their way into the dressing rooms for those final words.
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THE EXILES LINE-UP
YOUR LEICESTER TIGERS
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HOW THE TEAM’S STAND
Irish sit two places ahead of Tigers and have been beaten just once in any competition since early December – losing only to defending champions at Exeter Chiefs in that time.
The last four matches between the two clubs have been won by the home side on the day, including the first meeting this season when Tigers were the opening visitors to Irish’s new home at Brentford Community Stadium.
Last season’s corresponding fixture brought a 13-7 win for Tigers with wing David Williams claiming his first senior score for the club while on loan from Nottingham.
Overall the two teams have met on 67 previous occasions dating back nearly 100 years with Leicester winning 55 to 11 by Irish and one game drawn.
Read our full match preview by clicking here https://www.leicestertigers.com/news/preview-gp12-2021
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WELCOME TO ROUND 12 | TIGERS V IRISH
Friday night rugby returns to Mattioli Woods Welford Road for Round 12 of the Gallagher Premiership as London Irish make the trip up the M1 to the Midlands.
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