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Final report | Tigers take title with late drama

Figure image

A drop goal from Freddie Burns with just seconds remaining secured a Leicester Tigers victory over Saracens in the Gallagher Premiership Final at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday.

There was nothing to divide the teams after Owen Farrell chipped over a late penalty, but Tigers recovered to play back in the opposition 22 until Burns got within range to land the telling kick in a 15-12 win.

Tigers, playing in the club’s 10th Premiership Final but a first in nine years, led 12-6 at half-time following tries by Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese in a period when Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies was in the sin bin following a high tackle.

It was a cagey opening period in which Tigers lost fly-half George Ford just 24 minutes into his farewell appearance for the club, an ankle injury necessitating the change as Burns took over in his first Premiership Final.

Tigers could not add to that score as Farrell got Sarries back level until the final late drama in a close contest between the top two teams in the league season.

Former Saracens duo Chris Ashton and Richard Wigglesworth were added to the Tigers backline following the semi-final win over Northampton while Steve Borthwick also gave a starting slots in the pack to Ollie Chessum.

In their traditional colours of green ,white and red, Tigers were greeted by huge travelling support as Saracens kicked off and it was the men in black who took an early lead with a third-minute kick from Owen Farrell.

Both teams kicked long and high to establish field position and an error from scrum-half Davies gave Tigers an interesting position from which to attack and, when Ashton nudged play towards the tryline, Matías Moroni and Richard Wigglesworth combined to force Alex Goode to dot down in-goal.

But the whistle went against Tigers at the five-metre scrum, prompting celebrations among the Sarries players.

When Billy Vunipola was penalised on 20 minutes, reaching out to grab Wigglesworth at a ruck, Ford took on the kick from wide on the left but saw it float wide of the right-hand post.

Ford and Harry Potter then combined on the left to get Tigers going forward, but the whistle from Wayne Barnes was in Sarries’ favour.

Before play could restart, Ford needed physio treatment for what appeared to be a knock to the right ankle and when the call was made that he could not continue, receiving huge warm applause as he left the field, Burns was sent on.  

Referee Barnes issued a yellow card to Davies for a high hit on Julian Montoya and the response came in the form of an opening try.

Tigers played to the right, where Steward broke a tackle and then put Ashton in possession. When he was stopped just short, the forwards recycled and Liebenberg forced his way over the line.

Burns added the kick for a 7-3 lead on 28 minutes, but Elliot Daly quickly added three to that scoreline with a long-range penalty for Sarries.

Sarries were back behind their own line again when Wigglesworth’s chargedown had the defence in trouble and Farrell had to dot down as the scrum-half, Ashton and Moroni all closed in.

A second try followed, though, as the scrum brought a penalty and, when Genge took a tap with support from Dan Cole, Wiese picked up and he barged over for the score.

Steward was forced back by strength of numbers on the Sarries right but showed good strength and composure to gather and drive forward, with Barnes rewarding his effort with a penalty award 10 metres from his own line as the half approached its close with Tigers 12-6 in front.

Burns got the second half under way, with Sarries using Alex Lozowski off the bench in place of Sean Maitland.

Potter led a kickchase and tackled Vunipola back towards the Sarries 22 and was back on the ball to attack wide on the left before the referee’s whistle brought play back for a Tigers penalty.

Burns took on the kick, on the 10-metre line just five metres in front touch, but was off target with six points still separating the teams.

Two Tigers turnovers on the floor in quick succession, through Montoya and then Tommy Reffell, stopped Sarries progress, then a big defensive set finally knocked ball loose and, when Steward cleared, he found touch 70 metres upfield.

Safe lineout ball set up a drive which brought another penalty, this time just inside the 22 and Burns nudged play into the corner with voices rising in the stands.

The drive brought another penalty, with Tigers taking the lineout on the five-metre mark. Play stayed tight among the forwards, but Sarries kept out the drive again.

Burns spotted Ashton on the opposite touchline but Daly leapt highest to make the catch, though he was immediately taken into touch by the Tigers wing.

The drive again pushed towards the line but was fallen stopped less than five metres out.

Play had been totally inside the Saracens 22 for a good period of time but Tigers had not added to the 12-6 advantage and were penalised at a scrum, allowing Farrell to take play 20-plus metres forward.

Steward twice responded to teasing kicks with clean catches and was rewarded with a penalty on halfway on 58 minutes as play returned to Sarries territory where Genge and Porter got forward until Billy Vunipola won ball on the floor and a penalty award of his own.

Matt Scott replaced Moroni in the Tigers midfield before Borthwick sent on Youngs, Clare, Wells and Martin just as Farrell added a penalty following his team’s first phases of attacking ball in the half on 64 minutes.

There were just seven minutes remaining when Andy Christie broke clear for Saracens and they had Tigers scrambling back to get back into their defensive line just five metres out. When they did recycle again, the charge ran straight into referee Barnes and play had to restart with a five-metre scrum in front of the posts.

Vunipola was met with the full force of the Tigers defence, but the referee signalled a penalty in his side’s favour under the posts.

After checking replays, Scott was yellow-carded for the high tackle on the Sarries No8 and Farrell kicked the scores level with four minutes left on the clock.

Tigers recovered and went through pressure possession back upfield, until finally, finally Burns called for the ball and scooped a drop goal over the bar with 22 seconds left on the clock.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

LEI 12-6 SAR

FT ScoreFull Time Score

LEI 15-12 SAR

Attendance

Not available

Referee

Wayne Barnes

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
15

Full Time

Saracens
Saracens
12
Leicester Tigers
T
C
T
D
KOHTFT
Saracens
P
P
P
P

Match Stats

Leicester Tigers
Saracens
Possession
53%
47%
Territory
48%
52%
Penalties Conceded
9
10
Yellow Cards
1
1
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
123/143 86%
121/145 83%
Scrums Won
3/4 75%
4/4 100%
Lineouts Won
14/15 93%
7/8 88%

Player Stats

Leicester Tigers
Saracens
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Freddie Steward
14Chris Ashton
13Matias Moroni
12Guy Porter
11Harry Potter
10George Ford
9Richard Wigglesworth
1Ellis Genge
2Julian Montoya
3Dan Cole
4Ollie Chessum
5Calum Green
6Hanro Liebenberg1T
7Tommy Reffell
8Jasper Wiese1T
16Charlie Clare
17Nephi Leatigaga
18Joe Heyes
19Harry Wells
20George Martin
21Ben Youngs
22Freddie Burns1C1D
23Matt Scott

Commentary

CHAMPIONS

Tigers win 15-12 in the Gallagher Premiership FInal!

FREDDIE BURNS DROP GOAL, 22sec left, 15-12.

Farrell penalty, all square at 12-12 with 4min left.

Matt Scott yellow card for the high tackle on Vunipola.  

76

Tigers are back on their own tryline. And Sarries have a penalty. It's 12-9 with 4min left on clock.

64

Lots of changes from the bench as Sarries cut the lead with a penalty. It's 12-9 to Tigers on 65mins.

Farrell pen for Saracens cuts the Tigers lead to 12-9 on 64min.

60

Heyes and Scott are on for Cole and Moroni. It's still 12-6 to Tigers.  

50

Monster defence from Tigers, then Steward kicks 70 metres upfield to earn a lineout.

44

Burns with a long-range kick but just off target. Still 12-6.

41

Teams are back out for the second half. Tigers lead Saracens 12-6.

HALF TIMES arrives with Tigers 12-6 in front. Tries from Liebenberg and Wiese.

35

Burns off target with conversion but Tigers lead 12-6 on 37mins.

JASPER WIESE. Genge takes tap penalty from 5m, ball comes back and the No8 barges over. 12-6. 

34

Wigglesworth charges down a Sarries kick and Farrell has to dot down behind his own line with three Tigers chasing him down.

Penalty near halfway from Elliot Daly, brings Sarries back to 7-6.

Burns adds the kick, 7-3 on 28min

HANRO LIEBENBERG with the try on 27min. Break by Steward and Ashton, Tigers recycle and Hanro has the strength to get over the line. 5-3.

Sarries No9 Davies is yellow-carded for high tackle on Montoya.

24

George Ford is forced off the field with what looks like an ankle injury, Freddie Burns is on at 10.

21

Ford with a penalty from 40 metres, out on the left side, just wide of the right-hand post. Still 0-3.

17

An opportunity for Tigers after Goode is forced to dot down over his own tryline, but the 5-metre scrum ends with a Sarries penalty.

Penalty from Farrell gives Saracens a lead on 5min.

FINAL DAY KICK-OFF | Tigers v Saracens

It’s time for kick-off, it will be Owen Farrell to get the game started for Saracens. Tigers are playing North to South, left to right if you look from the benches. HERE WE GO!

final2.jpg

0

WEATHER CHECK

After a red-hot countdown to Final Day, it has been warm and breezy around Twickenham with a few spots of rain today. Still a few raindrops around and it is warm, about to get much warmer…

0

TODAY’S OPPOSITION

Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Max Malins, 13 Elliot Daly , 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Owen Farrell (c), 9 Aled Davies; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Jamie George, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Maro Itoje, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 6 Theo McFarland, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Billy Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Kapeli Pifeleti, 17 Eroni Mawi, 18 Alec Clarey, 19 Jackson Wray, 20 Andy Christie, 21 Ivan van Zyl, 22 Duncan Taylor, 23 Alex Lozowski

0

HOW TIGERS LINE-UP

STARTING XV

15 Freddie Steward [55], 14 Chris Ashton [11], 13 Matías Moroni [35], 12 Guy Porter [44], 11 Harry Potter [40], 10 George Ford [128], 9 Richard Wigglesworth [36]; 1 Ellis Genge [110], 2 Julián Montoya [26], 3 Dan Cole [289], 4 Ollie Chessum [30], 5 Calum Green [90], 6 Hanro Liebenberg [58], 7 Tommy Reffell [77], 8 Jasper Wiese [44]

REPLACEMENTS

16 Charlie Clare [51], 17 Nephi Leatigaga [67], 18 Joe Heyes [100], 19 Harry Wells [155], 20 George Martin [38], 21 Ben Youngs [281], 22 Freddie Burns [102], 23 Matt Scott [46]

0

MATCH PREVIEW | Gallagher Premiership Final

Leicester Tigers reach double figures in Premiership Rugby Final appearances, but also a first since 2013 as they meet Saracens in the domestic season’s showpiece.

As the top two in the Gallagher Premiership table at the end of a 26-round season, Tigers and Saracens go head to head in the Final for a third time, with each club taking one win from encounters at Twickenham in 2010 and ’11.

Dan Cole, a starter when Tigers last won the title at Twickenham in 2013 and making his 290th first-team appearance today, said: “You learn over time and appreciate how hard it is just to win games in the Premiership let alone get to Finals.

“We will never have this same set of players again, maybe not have the same opportunities again. You impress on the guys that you hope Leicester have many more finals but you have to appreciate this for what it is on the day.

“There have been a lot of changes at the club on and off the field, and I think to get to the Final it is a nice way of showing all the hard work that everyone has put in.”

Leicester have lost just one of their last five matches at Twickenham in Premiership action, against Bath in ‘The Clash’ in April 2017.

Saracens have won on their last eight visits since defeat by Northampton in the 2014 Final. This is their eighth Premiership Final appearance.

Sarries captain Owen Farrell said: “We’ve got an opportunity to do something special and we’re really looking forward to it.

“We’re up against a fantastic side who we respect, so we have had to make sure our preparation has been right. The past is the past and we want to make sure that all of the exciting stuff is in front of us.”

Referee Wayne Barnes takes charge of his 10th Premiership Final.

0

Great reception from the fans for the Tigers team arrival.

finalarrival1.jpg

0

It’s Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final Day. Wherever you are, you can keep up to date with Matchday Live on the Tigers App and website at www.leicestertigers.com.

We are LIVE from Twickenham Stadium as Leicester Tigers face Saracens. Kick-off is at 3.00pm.


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Alex Goode
14
Max Malins
13
Elliot Daly
12
Nick Tompkins
11
Sean Maitland
10
Owen Farrell
9
Aled Davies
1
Mako Vunipola
2
Jamie George
3
Vincent Koch
4
Maro Itoje
5
Nick Isiekwe
6
Theo McFarland
7
Ben Earl
8
Billy Vunipola

Replacements

16
Kapeli Pifeleti
17
Eroni Mawi
18
Alec Clarey
19
Jackson Wray
20
Andy Onyeama-Christie
21
Ivan van Zyl
22
Duncan Taylor
23
Alex Lozowski

Preview | Gallagher Premiership Cup Final

Figure image

Leicester Tigers reach double figures in Premiership Rugby Final appearances this weekend, but also a first since 2013 as they meet Saracens in the domestic season’s showpiece.

As the top two in the Gallagher Premiership table at the end of its 26-round season, Tigers and Saracens go head to head in the Final for a third time, with each club taking one win from encounters at Twickenham in 2010 and ’11.

Saracens toppled defending champions Harlequins in the semi-finals last Saturday and are among only four clubs to beat the Tigers in the league programme alongside Wasps, Sale and Quins.

Tigers beat Northampton Saints in the semi-finals at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last Saturday with tries Freddie Steward and George Ford, who also kicked 17 points.

Head coach Steve Borthwick brings Chris Ashton and Richard Wigglesworth into the Tigers backline and there is a starting spot in the forwards for Ollie Chessum.

Dan Cole, a starter when Tigers last won the title at Twickenham in 2013 and approaching his 290th first-team appearance for his hometown club, said: “You learn over time and appreciate how hard it is just to win games in the Premiership let alone get to Finals.

“We will never have this same set of players again, maybe not have the same opportunities again. You impress on the guys that you hope Leicester have many more finals but you have to appreciate this for what it is on the day.

“There have been a lot of changes at the club on and off the field, and I think to get to the Final it is a nice way of showing all the hard work that everyone has put in – the medics, S&C, everyone that has been working for the club.

“As players, there is a lot of work you get through together and the 80 minutes is only a small part. We’re together for a long time, you spend a lot of time together in the season, there is a lot more goes into the games.”

Cole will be in direct opposition to fellow internationals Jamie George and Mako Vunipola in the Sarries front row and added: “Saracens are a brilliant side, they have proved that over several years. They play the game the way they play, they are physical, you always know you’re going to have to be good to play against them.”

Leicester have lost just one of their last five matches at Twickenham in Premiership action, against Bath in ‘The Clash’ in April 2017.

Saracens have won on their last eight visits since an extra-time defeat by Northampton in the 2014 Final.

This is their eighth Premiership Final appearance, with five previous wins in 2011, ’15, ’16, ’18 and ’19.

Their only loss in their last six meetings with the Tigers was by a single point (13-12) at Mattioli Woods Welford Road last October in Round 3 of the season.

In team news announced on Friday, Nick Isiekwe returns to the Saracens pack after starting the semi-final win over Quins among the replacements, while Mako Vunipola makes is 200th appearance for the club. Back-rower Jackson Wray returns with a place on the bench.

Sarries captain Owen Farrell said: “We’ve got an opportunity to do something special and we’re really looking forward to it.

“We’re up against a fantastic side who we respect, so we have had to make sure our preparation has been right. The past is the past and we want to make sure that all of the exciting stuff is in front of us.”

Overall, the two clubs have met on 93 occasions with Tigers winning 57 to 30 by Saracens and six games drawn.

Referee Wayne Barnes is Premiership Rugby’s most experienced official and takes charge of his 10th Final.

Tigers will be in the club’s traditional colours of green, white and red as the ‘home’ team after reaching the Final from a position as No1 seed in the semi-finals.

If scores are level at 80 minutes, extra-time (2 x 10 minutes) will be played. If the scores are still level, the team with the most tries in the game (including extra-time) will be the winner. If they are still equal, there will be a place-kicking competition involving three players from each team.

Check our Matchday Guide for everything you need to know if you are going to the game.

There is live coverage on BT Sport 1HD and also on ITV4 – the first time the Premiership Final has been on terrestrial television.

The match is also been shown around the world in 145 territories. For full details of how you watch the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Final outside the UK and Ireland click here.

Tickets are still available through www.premiershiprugby.com. Please note that tickets cannot be booked through the Tigers ticket office.

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
1
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI242004726452274885211394
2
Saracens
SaracensSAR241716769509260936012587
Form Guide
Form
WWWWL
Last Match
Lost to Northampton Saints 12-31
Past Meeting
Won 32-29
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WLWLL
Last Match
Lost to Ealing Trailfinders 19-29
Past Meeting
Lost 29-32