Leicester Tigers secured sixth place in the Gallagher Premiership table with a first win at Wasps since 2015, scoring five tries in a 38-31 victory on the final day of the season.
Tigers had previously won just once in eight attempts at the Ricoh Arena – on their first visit in May 2015 – but led 24-21 at half-time with scores from Cameron Henderson, Matt Scott and Dan Cole, and stayed in front after the break when Julian Montoya and Tomas Lavanini added to the scoreboard.
Wasps had claimed three of their own through Sione Vailanu (2) and Jacob Umaga in the first period and then claimed a bonus point with a Will Rowlands try after the break.
The teams went into the game one place and one point apart in the league, with Tigers in sixth on 49 points just above their neighbours at the top of a clutch of teams separated by a handful of points.
A third away win of the season also completed a home-and-away double after a 27-8 win back at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in February.
Argentina international Montoya scored in that game but made his first staring appearance since in a team captained by front-row colleague Ellis Genge.
Wasps made a late change on the bench when Alfie Barbeary was ruled out by a facial injury and hooker Tom Cruse was added to the replacements. Josh Bassett ran out for his 150th first-team appearance and Jacob Umaga reached his 50th.
Johnny McPhillips got the game started in front of a sunshine crowd as the Ricoh admitted supporters for the first time since February 2020.
After errors from both teams in the opening phases, Wasps were first on the scoreboard when they used a scrum penalty near halfway to build pressure through the forwards in front of the posts until No8 Vailanu found the space to reach out and score.
The conversion from Umaga made it 7-0 with 10 minutes played before Tigers used Nemani Nadolo and Ellis Genge to provide some go-forward and a steal from the big wing provided the opening for a try.
It came from a big scrum, with Jack Van Poortvliet going to the blindside where Dan Kelly stepped his way up to the line and then popped ball back for Henderson who picked up with his fingertips and stretched out to score. McPhillips levelled the scores with the conversion on 21 minutes.
It was to be the first of a six-try spell in the 20 minutes up to half-time, with Scott providing the next from first phase ball as, playing with advantage from a scrum, the centre arrived on a piercing line to score next to the posts.
But Wasps came straight back with a try from Umaga, reading Marcus Watson’s clever kick from a break down the right wing to show his pace through the middle. The conversion made it 14-14 on 28 minutes.
When Dan Robson dropped the restart kick, Wasps were penalised in scrambling for possession on the floor and McPhillips kicked the three-pointer for a 17-14 lead.
After another penalty, Genge directed to play into the corner and Tigers made the most of the opportunity, throwing to the front and then providing a chance for Dan Cole to push his way over. Although centre Michael Le Bourgeois rolled with Cole over the whitewash, referee Luke Pearce confirmed the try after checking replays – after blanks in his previous 122 appearances dating back to 2015.
McPhillips added the conversion for a 24-14 lead but within 60 seconds Vailanu burst through for his second try of the afternoon and Umaga converted to cut the gap to three points.
Genge’s carry into two defenders created some space for another attack but this time, when ball squirted up to Liebenberg, it just escaped his grasp and Wasps had the scrum 15 metres from their own tryline. They used it to launch a searing counter-attack, led again by Watson on the right, but when Steward was penalised back in defence, the hosts went for a quick crosskick which went directly to Nadolo who booted clear to bring the half-time whistle.
Both teams looked to kick for field position at the start of the second half, with one prod from McPhillips forcing Umaga back to his own tryline and a second pushing play into the right-hand corner.
Eventually, some pressure 20 metres out provided the bonus-point score as Van Poortvliet broke a tackle and found Montoya in support who pushed over for his fifth try of the season. It took Tigers to 50 points for the season and ensured a finish in the top eight and a Champions Cup place.
McPhillips converted to make it 31-21 on 50 minutes.
Vailanu left the field after being hurt in the build-up to that score and Tigers quickly introduced Ben Youngs and Kini Murimurivalu in the backline and Charlie Clare replaced Montoya up front.
Scott made a break from a lineout on the left but was pulled back by referee Pearce for breaking early beyond the lineout offside line. Although the penalty allowed Wasps to get upfield, they met stern defence and eventually spilled ball 20 metres out.
Centre Scott was involved again as Wasps looked for space on their right and there looked to be little threat as they played across the pitch but Will Rowlands broke the line to score on the left and the conversion made it 28-31.
Ollie Chessum returned to first-team action as a replacement for Wiese as the game approached the hour mark and Tomás Lavanini appeared for his final game for the club as Henderson made way.
Wasps manufactured space on the counter-attack and took play into the right-hand corner but Robson missed both Watson and Malakai Fekitoa just a few metres short of the tryline.
Referee Pearce, though, checked a tackle from Zack Henry on Watson and showed the Tigers full-back a yellow card.
It also meant play came back for a penalty which Umaga played to touch on their right flank but the defence stood firm, with Murimurivalu eventually picking up a penalty over the ball in the shadow of the posts after Chessum’s tackle had stopped Rowlands.
Play had become fractured from both teams as Martin made a heavy hit on Gabriel Oghre and carried him back towards the Wasps 22 but when the hosts broke upfield they overloaded the left wing only for Jimmy Gopperth to drop a pass in midfield.
Matias Moroni was introduced in midfield and immediately made his presence felt, hacking ball up to the Wasps tryline and then flooring Gopperth behind the chalk as he mopped up.
It provided a five-metre scrum which brought another penalty – and a Wasps warning – and Tigers were back up to 15 men as Henry returned and a fifth try followed with Lavanini barging over from close range.
James Whitcombe replaced skipper Genge as McPhillips lined up the conversion and added two points with an in-off the post to make it 38-28 with seven minutes to play.
Young prop Whitcombe played his part in gaining a scrum penalty to take play upfield again and, although Tigers missed their lineout man, they recovered with a defensive turnover and then forced an error back upfield to gain another set-piece put-in.
That kept play inside Wasps territory until, finally, a penalty verdict gave Wasps another chance to break out. They missed their overlap on the left while playing advantage but called for the kick to claim a second point, with Umaga’s kick bringing the game – and the season for both teams – to a close.
Commentary
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
A huge thank you to your support throughout this season!
From supporting #TigersAtHome to welcoming more than 6,000 supporters to Mattioli Woods Welford Road last week, your support continues to amaze us!
FULL-TIME | WASPS 31-38 TIGERS
That's it for another season, and Tigers finish the campaign with a win over Wasps. Five tries enough for Leicester as they secure Champions Cup rugby with a sixth place finish.
LATE DRAMA SEES PENALTY CHANCE FOR WASPS
Jacob Umaga with the game's final points from the tee.
79
Ben Youngs with the feed. The packs face off, and Hanro Liebenberg hands it back to the scrum-half. The bounce falls behind Steward from the kick, and ball with the home side.
Wasps trying to run out the play, but Tigers giving them no time. Ball still deep in their own half.
77
TIGERS SEE OUT ATTACK
McPhillips to touch. Clare throws in. But it's stolen by Wasps and the backline look to stretch the play.
The phases build, as does the pace of the attack, but then Ben Youngs steals to regain possession. A box-kick by the England man is awkward for Jimmy Gopperth, and then Gaskell is penalised for a forward pass.
75
TIGERS PACK HOLDS ITS OWN
Wasps possession from the restart as we near towards the games final five minutes.
Dan Robson moving things quickly, but we go back for an earlier knock on. Ben Youngs with the feed, and the pack wins the penalty!
MCPHILLIPS CONVERTS
Johnny McPhillips converts the kick to give Tigers a ten point lead in the final ten minutes. IN OFF THE POST!
LAVANINI TRY FOR TIGERS
Tomas Lavanini scores for Tigers in what will be his final appearance in a Tigers jersey. He spots the gap and makes the short yards to go over.
71
GENGE TO TAP AND GO!
The skipper for the day choosing to tap and go from the penalty. Wasps quell the attack, Tomas Lavnini collects and finds the try-line...
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Ellis Genge makes way for James Whitcombe in the front row.
70
BIG SCRUM!
The new forwards from both packs face off and Ben Youngs comes away with it, a strong Wasps defence holds Murimurivalu, but we'll go back for the earlier penalty.
The pressure ramping up as we head into the final ten minutes.
69
PHYSICAL BATTLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK
Penalty Tigers way from the scrum Ball with the Tigers, but falls back to the Wasps defensive line. Loose play and both teams pressuring the ball carriers.
68
WASPS ASKING QUESTIONS
The line-out goes long from Charlie Clare and ball with Wasps. Gopperth kicks clear and Freddie Steward collects. It's a knock-on in the air, and we'll reset.
Robson feeds the scrum, Umaga finds Fekitoa, and Watson involved. The ball back the otherway, and its dropped by Jimmy Gopperth, as Tigers sigh in relief. The pressure was building there.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Dan Kelly makes way for Matias Moroni at centre.
64
McPhillips clears and finds touch, and Tigers have the line-out. Clare finds Liebenberg, and Ben Youngs wastes no time in clearing. We'll go back for the earlier penalty, and we'll reset for what will likely be a re-run of the before.
62
TIGERS DEFEND LINES
Wasps win the line-out and quickly sweep the ball out. McIntre bursts forward, as does Cardell. Miller finds Shields and Bassett gets involved.
Tigers defending with 14-men, but holding their own. Wasps within five metres, and opt for the short yards, and the penalty goes Tigers way, thanks to Kini Murimurivalu.
YELLOW CARD FOR HENRY
Zach Henry shown a yellow card for a tackle on Marcus Watson. He goes low, but the resulting momentum causes the flip.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Ollie Chessum and Tomas Lavanini come on for Jasper Wiese and Cameron Henderson. Hanro Liebenberg moves to No.8.
60
WASPS BALL
Knock-ons for Tigers see the ball back in Wasps hands from the restart and we'll have the scrum.
Robsons feeds and collects, but its loose and Tigers look to build. Watson hit hard, but still with the ball. Brad Shields lays off to MIller, but Robson's pass is mis-timed and out for touch.
TRY FOR WASPS
Jacob Umaga with the conversion to make it a three point game.
TRY FOR WASPS
Try for Wasps Will Rowlands, as the second row breaks the Tigers defence.
56
WASPS PRESSURE
Tigers scrum just under their posts, and a chance to clear their lines. Ben Youngs feeds and then collects out the back, McPhillips kicks clear and Tigers gain the territory.
Tommy Taylor with the line out and Wasps come away stretching the ball across the field. Ball comes back the other way and the Wasps number 4 breaks the line...
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Charlie Clare and Joe Heyes come on for today's try scorers Julian Montoya and Dan Cole.
54
TIGERS DEFENCE REWARDED
Wasps ball from the set-piece and they look to build the phases through Dan Robson. Tigers slightly stretched, and George Martin reacts at the breakdown, but just out his reach to regain possesion.
Eventually knocked on by the home side and a chance for the Tigers defence to catch their breathe.
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Ben Youngs and Kini Murimurivalu come on for Jack Van Poortvliet and Nemani Nadolo.
51
TIGERS PATIENT IN DEFENCE
Tigers possesion from the restart as Hanro Liebenberg collects unopposed. JVP kicks clear, and Tom Willis is hit hard by Jasper Wiese.
Ball still with the home side. Eventually nudged forward by Umaga, but Tigers cover well.
The penalty coming Tigers way at the breakdown.
CONVERSION FOR MCPHILLIPS
Johnny McPhillips keeps up his first-half form as Tigers reach the 30+ mark.
MONTOYA TRY FOR TIGERS
Julian Montoya times his run to support Jack Van Poortvliet and adds another try for Tigers.
47
TIGERS PHASE PLAY
JVP and McPhillips linking up at the breakdown. Tigers heavy hitters the first receivers and eventually it's Montoya who collects the offload from the scrum-half...
46
TIGERS BALL
Montoya throws and then collects the line-out at the back, he hands to JVP, and Marcus Watson collects the high ball, but Tigers were offside from the kick-chase as Nadolo goes slightly early.
Genge with the chance to run through and floors his first tackler, as Brad Shields collides. Ball still with Tigers and eventally out for Tigers touch,
44
EXCHANGE OF POSSESION
Wasps come away with the ball from the Tigers line-out. Dan Robson box kicks clear and finds touch on half-way.
Another Montoya line-out, won by Wells. Henry sends it high, but Rob Miller collects. Ball with Wasps, and the Robson kicks clear before an exchange from Freddie Steward, into touch from the Wasps scrum-half.
42
TIGERS PRESSURE
Both teams after a fourth try to secure European Champions Cup rugby.
Harry Wells wins in the air. The maul gains metres and Tigers go for the short yards through Liebneberg and then Van Poortvliet kicks clear.
Jacob Umage kicks clear after an awkward collection for a Tigers line-out.
40
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
Wasps with the restart following the break after an entertaining first half full of tries for both sides. The final 40 minutes of the 2020/21 season for Tigers.
HALF-TIME | WASPS 21-24 TIGERS
Tries from Cam Henderson, Matt Scott and Dan Cole give Tigers the lead at the break.
40
ONE LAST WASPS ATTACK
Marcus Watson comes away as Wasps have one more break in them. Dan Robson involved from the scrum, and Wasps start building their phases.
Tom Willis bought down, and Gaskell joins the fray. Tigers having to defend, but infringe and Wasps have the penalty. Tigers marched ten metres.
It's a mis-kick by Jacob Umaga and Nadolo clears for half-time.
40
TIGERS ATTACK
Montoya throws in a line-out as Tigers come away with possession. Jasper Wiese comes away and hurtles towards the Wasps defence.
Tigers go through phaes as JVP and Steward see ball in hand. Liebenberg can't collect from the quick hands of the scrum-half and we'll have the scrum for the knock on.
WASPS CONVERT
Jacob Umaga adds two more points to Wasps total.
TRY FOR WASPS
Sione Vailanu breaks the line and Wasps reply immediately with a try of their own.
MCPHILLIPS CONVERTS
Johnny McPhillips with another excellent conversion as Tigers extend their lead.
TRY FOR DAN COLE
Dan Cole is rewarded his third Gallagher Premiership try as the TMO sees no evidence to suggest otherwise. Never in doubt for Dan Cole.
34
TMO - CHECKING TRY FOR COLEY!
Dan Cole looks to have placed the ball over the tryline, but the TMO is checking the angles as it looks as if an arm may deny it...
34
TIGERS SET-PIECE MAUL
George Martin collects, and Montoya almost comes away with the ball. Tigers driving forward, and win another penalty. McPhillips to the corner and the pressure remains for the home side.
Montoya goes short to Martin. The maul forms and edge close towards, it looks like Dan Cole may have hands on the ball as he goes over...
33
Montoya finds Liebenberg from out wide, JVP keeps things moving and the result is a Tigers penalty. McPhillips kicks for touch and Tigers now with a chance from ten metres out.
32
WASPS BALL FROM RESTART
Wasps win the aerial battle from the restart, but Tigers pressure at the breakdown sees possession back in their favour. An exchange of kicks and we end with the line out.
MCPHILLIPS PENALTY KICK
Johnny McPhillips maintains his 100% record so far today and takes Tigers into the lead.
29
PENALTY CHANCE FOR MCPHILLIPS
Tigers attack from the restart and work the scrum deep in the Wasps half. Penalty comes Tigers way again and a chance for Johnny McPhillips to kick for the posts here.
WASPS CONVERT
Jacob Umage converts his own try to level the scores.
TRY FOR WASPS
Harry Wells with the win in the air from Umaga's restart. Dan Cole stops the charge of Sione Vailanu, but Wasps creep over half way.
It's some quick hands from the midfield and they find Watson out wide who nudges forward. Umage in here...
MCPHILLIPS FROM THE TEE!
McPhillips kicks the extra points as Tigers take the lead for the first time in the game.
TRY FOR SCOTT
Tigers with the scrum attack, and Wiese finds JVP and an excellent run from Matt Scott after a McPhillips pass and Tigers with their second try of the game.
22
TIGERS NOT DONE YET
McPhillips breaks away from the restart after some smart work from George Martin and Tigers relentless in the attack at the moment. Genge and Van Poortvliet involved in the Wasps half, and the attack.
We go back for the earlier knock ons.
MCPHILLIPS CONVERTS
Johnny McPhillips converts to add the extra points and level the scores at seven-all.
TIGERS TRY FOR HENDERSON
Cameron Henderson with some juggling skills and quick thinking from the offload from Dan Kelly to get Tigers first try of the game.
19
LEICESTER SCRUM IN WASPS HALF
Jack Van Poortvliet feeds in and the Tigers pack assert their presence. Wiese collects and finds JVP again, it comes the opposite way and Dan Kelly steps to create space.
It's lost in the air, and it looks as if Cameron Henderon has caught the offload and reached over to finish....TMO to check the try
19
TIGERS PRESSURE
McPhillips with the miss-pass from the set-piece, but still with Tigers. The kick-chase allows Tigers to gain the territory, Jasper Wiese carries the metres, and Tigers creep into the Wasps ten metres.
It's knocked on by the Wasps number 8 and will have the scrum in a central position.
17
WASPS HOLD THEIR OWN
Tigers win the line-out and opt for the maul. Liebenberg and Martin involved, but Wasps working hard to match and finally with the penalty.
Wasps choose the scrum, and Dan Robson goes for the tap and go from the reset. Ball back in Tigers possession though, and Wasps then penalised for an offside.
McPhillips kicks to touch down the right.
14
TIGERS BUILDING PHASES
Matt Scott and Nadolo carrying well and JVP finds Zach Henry at full-back. It's off Dan Cole for a knock-on, so the play continues with Wasps possession.
Dan Robson finally kicks clear and Tigers turned back into their own half.
12
TIGERS KICKING FOR TERRITORY
Dan Robsons comes away with the ball from the restart. He eventually kicks clear, and Wasps win the aerial battle again. Johnny McPhillips collects the retort and Nemani Nadolo nearly steals the attack.
Julian Montoya with the line out, finds Harry Wells and Nadolo comes into the attack. Genge gets involved and Tigers begin to build the phases.
WASPS CONVERSION
Jacob Umage adds the extras to make the scores 7-0 to the home side.
WASPS TRY
Wasps come forward and Tommy Taylor faints to find space. Gaskell and then Shields add weight in the attack. Wasps go the short yards as they creep towards the Tigers tryline.
Less than a few metres out, Tigers defending well under their posts. But it's eventually breached by Sione Vailanu.
7
WASPS APPLY PRESSURE
Liebenberg loses out in the air from the set-piece deep in the Wasps half. Dan Robson box kicks clear and its still in the home sides possession.
Scrum again and the penalty advantage with Wasps, it's fumbles as they look to build so we will go back for the earlier penalty. Umaga kicks for touch and some defending for Tigers to do now.
4
SCRUM PENALTY TIGERS
Tommy Taylor with the line-out for Wasps and a scruffy bit of play requires the reset. We'll have the games second scrum as Van Poortvliet feeds, and the penalty goes Tigers way.
3
GAME'S FIRST SCRUM
Dan Robson feed the ball in and comes away with it, Jacob Umaga opts for kicking to touch.
Julian Montoya with the line-out on the right flank in their own half. Collected in the air by Hanro Liebenberg, the maul forms before JVP kicks clear.
1
TIGERS ATTACK
Tigers on the attack from the kick off. Van Poortvliet involved in the first few phases, but it was lost by Cameron Henderon. We'll have the game's first scrum.
KICK-OFF | WASPS V TIGERS
Johnny McPhillips gets things underway for Leicester Tigers in their final game of the 2020/21 season. C’mon TIGEERRSS!
FINAL WORDS BEFORE KO
0
TIGERS XV
[Club appearances in brackets]
15 Zack Henry [25]
14 Freddie Steward [34]
13 Matt Scott [24]
12 Dan Kelly [19]
11 Nemani Nadolo [15]
10 Johnny McPhillips [21]
9 Jack Van Poortvliet [20]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [88]
2 Julián Montoya [5]
3 Dan Cole [263]
4 Harry Wells [123]
5 Cameron Henderson [16]
6 George Martin [16]
7 Hanro Liebenberg [35]
8 Jasper Wiese [19]
REPLACEMENTS:
16 Charlie Clare [33]
17 James Whitcombe [6]
18 Joe Heyes [71]
19 Tomás Lavanini [36]
20 Ollie Chessum [7]
21 Ben Youngs [263]
22 Matías Moroni [16]
23 Kini Murimurivalu [22]
0
HOW THE HOME TEAM LINE-UP
Wasps: 15 Rob Miller, 14 Marcus Watson, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Michael Le Bourgeois, 11 Josh Bassett, 10 Jacob Umaga, 9 Dan Robson; 1 Simon McIntyre, 2 Tommy Taylor, 3 Kieran Brookes, 4 Will Rowlands, 5 James Gaskell, 6 Tom Willis, 7 Brad Shields (c), 8 Sione Vailanu
Replacements: 16 Gabriel Oghre, 17 Ben Harris, 18 Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 19 Tim Cardall, 20 Alfie Barbeary, 21 Ben Vellacott, 22 Jimmy Gopperth, 23 Juan de Jongh
0
MATCH PREVIEW
Leicester Tigers and Wasps go into the final game of the season at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday separated by a single point in the Gallagher Premiership table.
Tigers head into the weekend – when all fixtures kick off simultaneously at 3.00pm on Saturday – in sixth place on 49 points, one place and one point ahead of their Round 22 rivals.
They top a group of tightly-packed teams behind the top five, with 10th-placed Newcastle on 44 points, setting up an interesting finale weekend.
Read the full preview HERE.
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TIGERS TAKE ON WASPS IN SEASON CLOSER | 3.00PM KO
We’re in Coventry for the final game of the 2020/21 season as Tigers take on Wasps in Round 22 of the Gallagher Premiership.
We’re live with all the build-up ahead of kick-off on the official Leicester Tigers app with Matchday Live.