Leicester Tigers have defeated Newcastle Falcons 47-3 in round eight of the Gallagher Premiership at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester.
Tigers backrow bagged three tries in the bonus-point victory for Dan McKellar’s Tigers side, Leicester’s defence taking the lion-share of the plaudits after not conceding a try for the first time in their league campaign to date.
Newcastle started brightly, pinning Leicester inside their defensive zone. Tigers’ defence was impressive, but after giving several penalties away out-wide, Leicester infringed in front of the posts, and Falcons made it 3-0.
Tigers would not take long to respond. Falcons did not retreat soon enough after attempting to clear their lines, and after referee Sara Cox marched the visitors a further 10 metres, Handré Pollard sent Leicester towards the corner.
The maul did its job, and backrow Tommy Reffell was the player to benefit, the Welsh international scoring the first try of the game. Pollard converted with effortless class to make it 7-3.
Newcastle arguably had the better of the running in the next period of the match, but it was Tigers who would score next, converting off the lineout again, this time centre Matt Scott picking a superb line to score in front of the Mattioli Woods stand.
Pollard made not mistake and Tigers now looked in the mood for more. Forcing their fifth turnover at the breakdown inside 35 minutes, Leicester got back into Falcons territory and showed slick hands in a tight channel which saw Reffell bag his second try of the game.
Pollard couldn’t find the mark, the score now 19-3.
It took Tigers the full 80 minutes to secure a bonus-point against Gloucester last time out, and it would require more than 40 for Tigers to get their fourth try of the game but it would come through Jasper Wiese, making it 26-3 at the break.
Rain poured at Mattioli Woods Welford Road as the teams returned, Tigers still looking physically committed to finishing Falcons off. Off the back of a rolling maul that was in excellent form on the day, Reffell completed his hat-trick with Pollard’s conversion pushing it to 33-3.
Pollard, Youngs and company’s job was done, but Tigers continued to defend their line with the same purpose as the opening minute.
Falcons routinely created opportunities to score, but Leicester’s line stayed intact. With clinical precision, Leicester reached the 40-point mark, Ollie Hassell-Collins adding another try to his growing tally.
Jamie Shillcock cleanly struck the conversion out-wide and Tigers finished with a flurry through fullback Mike Brown. The final score at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 47-3.
Tigers now look forward to kicking off their Investec Champions Cup campaign against the SHL Stormers next Sunday, 3pm at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Commentary
80
FULL TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
In tough conditions, Tigers score seven tries in an impressive win over a physical Falcons side.
Final score: Leicester Tigers 47 - 3 Newcastle Falcons
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
Shillcock puts a bow on a complete Tigers performance, adding the extras as the final whistle blows.
TRY | Mike Brown
In the dying embers of the match, Mike Brown scores a well-worked try.
From the scrum, Solomone Kata hits a thunderous line but is stopped just short; not to be deterred, Whiteley plays quick ball and Brown, on a wraparound, scores under the posts.
73
TIGERS FIGHT OUT OF THEIR OWN 22
Again, Falcons build to the line but Tigers hold firm, tough tackling throughout the team.
After several phases of tight carries, lock Harry Wells does magnificently to wrestle the ball away in contact and make a couple of metres. Tigers can then clear upfield to the halfway line, the pressure relieved.
CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK
The substitute adds the extras with a thunderous kick off his left boot, sailing over the posts from way out wide.
TRY | O11IE HASSELL-COLLINS
The wing touches down in the corner following slick work from Tigers.
Forwards put in the grunt work before the ball comes out to substitute Kata on a bludgeoning line.
The centre smashes over the gainline and, whilst falling, pulls off a swinging offload which takes a bounce and nestles in the onrushing hands of Hassell-Collins who speeds over.
60
Dogged defence by Tigers
The away side have a succession of penalties, all of which they choose to tap & go.
Big carries from the Falcons are stopped in their tracks as Tigers defend their line with relish, smashing back the opposition and forcing them wide with a risky crossfield kick where Hassell-Collins can fold his opposite number and put him into touch.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Also entering the field are Tom Whiteley for Ben Youngs and Solomone Kata for Matt Scott.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
As well as Shillcock coming on for Pollard, Sam Carter also enters the field, replacing Ollie Chessum.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Pollard adds the two points with a confident kick and then departs the field to huge applause.
The fly half is replaced by Jamie Shillcock.
TRY | TOMMY REFFELL
There's his hat-trick! Another rolling maul, another Reffell score, Tigers driving over from short range.
41
THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY
Handré Pollard kicks us off and the second 40 minutes begins!
HALF TIME HERE AGAINST FALCONS
Tigers lead by 26 - 3 after two tries from Tommy Reffell, a stepping score from Matt Scott and a brutish finish in the final seconds by Jasper Wiese.
Leicester Tigers 26 - 3 Newcastle Falcons
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Back to normality, Pollard slots the extras and the whistle blows for half time here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
TRY | JASPER WIESE
Another rolling maul in the corner is defended well by Falcons but Tigers are relentless in the hunt for another score before half time.
Out from the maul, Chessum thunders forward for a big carry and lands just inches away from the line.
Wiese reacts quickest, flying in for a pick and go and bulldozing over for the South African's first try of the 2023/24 Gallagher Premiership season.
32
CONVERSION MISSED | Handré Pollard
Handré Pollard is human after all, the usually metronomic boot sailing a touchline kick just too far right, shaving the posts.
TRY | TOMMY REFFELL
'Tommy Turnover' gets his second of the match.
Another try from phase play following a line-out. This time Tigers go all the way to the right and all the way back left, strong carries from the likes of Wiese and Liebenberg leading the way.
Eventually, Tigers spot an overlap in the left corner and rapid hands finds Reffell steaming onto the ball in space and diving over, finishing with aplomb!
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Handré Pollard makes no mistake and adds the extras from just to the left of the posts.
TRY | MATT SCOTT
Julián Montoya gets the move started with a picture perfect line-out. The rolling maul is stopped well so the ball comes out to the backs.
Almost straight away Tigers capitalise, centre Matt Scott hitting a storming line, complimented by a strong step and then diving over for the game's second try.
20
Back & Forth action
On halfway, Ollie Chessum does magnificently to reach up and steal an opposition line-out.
Tigers go wide initially through Hassell-Collins but he's caught and punts through. A kick battle ensues but Tigers are caught with the ball and Falcons turn the ball over, hoofing to touch for a line-out on the 22.
Tigers defence holds strong and the men in green claim a turnover of their own, Pollard hoofing it to touch, just past halfway.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Handré Pollard makes no mistake from the tee.
It's well out wide on the right but the Gallagher Premiership's most successful kicker this season (in terms of % of kicks going over) adds another to his tally.
TRY | TOMMY REFFELL
And there's the games opening try!
A typical Tigers rolling maul takes Tommy over the line and the Welsh international makes no mistake to get Leicester's first points of the day.
12
TIGERS GETTING A FOOTHOLD
Tigers reclaim the ball and build a few phases, before winning a penalty on halfway. The protests of Falcons lead the Referee to give further metres and an additional penalty.
Much to the delight of the crowd, Pollard opts for touch and the home side have a five metre line-out!
PENALTY | NEWCASTLE FALCONS
Tigers had defended staunchly from a couple of line-outs in their own 22 but Falcons eventually force a penalty around 20 metres out.
Connon, the Gallagher Premiership's top points scorer last year, adds the three to take the visitors in front.
4
FALCONS KEEPING THE PRESSURE HIGH
The visitors have started well in the opening minutes, restricting Tigers to their own half and constantly dinking box and grubber kicks through to keep it in the backfield.
WE'RE UNDERWAY AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD!
Brett Connon, a late replacement at 10 for Newcastle Falcons, replacing Louie Johnson, kicks off into a rainy, cloudy sky and the match begins.
-5
FIVE MINUTES TO GO!
Not long till kick off now; it's a rainy Leicestershire day but the Tigers Family are still out in full force, ready to cheer on their side.
It promises to be an exciting pair of games here so don't go anywhere and get ready for the rugby!
-30
30 MINUTES TO KICK OFF
There's just half an hour to go until Mattioli Woods Welford Road witnesses it's first-ever Premiership double-header!
First up is Tigers taking on Newcastle Falcons so get down to the stadium, settle on the sofa and turn on TNT Sports or join us here on Matchday Live!