Two tries from Ellis Genge helped Leicester Tigers to secure an 18-17 victory at Worcester Warriors in Round 20 of the Gallagher Premiership season on Saturday.
Chasing a first win at Sixways since March 2018 and a first away victory since the trip to Gloucester in Round 13, Tigers conceded tries at each end of the first half to trail 14-6 at the break before hitting back.
After an early penalty from Warriors in the second half, Genge twice forced his way over the tryline from close range, with Zack Henry’s conversion of the second giving Tigers the lead for the first time just short of the hour on the way to a home-and-away double over Worcester.
The teams ran out to a warm reception from a 3,100 crowd, permitted with the relaxation of Covid measures, 15 months to the day since they met in the last game to host a crowd at the Tigers’ home before lockdown.
Ben Youngs led the Tigers with Matt Scott, Kobus van Wyk and Johnny McPhillips returning to the backline while Zack Henry lined up at full-back.
On a sunny Bank Holiday weekend afternoon, McPhillips got the game started and Nemani Nadolo was quickly into the action, carrying twice in midfield while Henry pinned Warriors back with a clever kick into the corner.
But Warriors were rewarded for strong work on the floor on halfway with turnover ball which fly-half Fin Smith kicked teasingly into the corner. When Tigers were held up in possession from the lineout, Worcester used the scrum to launch a first attack and they used it to good effect with a converted try for a 7-0 lead inside six minutes.
It was full-back Freddie Shillcock who scored on the right after Perry Humphreys had worked hard to keep ball alive and the No15 added the conversion.
A break by McPhillips and then Genge threatened an immediate response but play was hauled back for a penalty for obstruction.
Another penalty, this time for offside chasing a clearing kick, put pressure back on Tigers but big tackles from Charlie Clare and Joe Heyes kept Worcester out until the whistle went in the defenders’ favour.
It was a fast and frantic opening for Warriors, encouraging home supporters with their tempo in attack, but Tigers got on the scoreboard with a Henry penalty after McPhillips had pinned down Shillcock with a perfectly-timed tackle in chasing a kick from Youngs.
Tigers were playing with advantage inside the Warriors 22 when referee Karl Dickson penalised Nadolo as he chased a cross-kick and tackled Shillcock with the full-back still in the air.
Shillcock was then caught near his own line by Matt Scott, but when Henry’s bouncing kick looped over the last defender it also kept going over the deadball line and play came back for a scrum 40 metres upfield.
When a Henry kick was charged down by Sam Lewis, the visitors reacted quickly and won a penalty at the breakdown as Tommy Reffell attacked the ball just 10 metres from his own line.
Henry missed a 40-metre penalty following Nadolo’s work at the breakdown, but the full-back was successful with his next chance on 30 minutes to make it 7-6.
But Warriors responded with their second try, gaining phases of possession before skipper Ted Hill broke two tackles and kept his momentum going on hands and knees towards the tryline and Shillcock made it 14-6 with the conversion two minutes short of half-time.
Shillcock started the second half by extending that lead with a penalty from the halfway line.
But when hooker Niall Annett was sin-binned at a maul close to his own line, Genge took a tap penalty and forced his way over the line over the support from his colleagues. Henry’s conversion came back off the post with the score at 17-11.
Steve Borthwick sent on Tom Youngs, Dan Cole and Harry Potter as the game restarted and Reffell showed his prowess over the ball again when Harri Doel escaped down the Worcester left.
Strong lineout defence and then Reffell’s work over the ball kept Warriors out again and when a lineout drive was stopped illegally, Tigers issued punishment with a second try for Genge, taking the final push from a maul on the left. Henry’s conversion put his team in front for the first time at 18-17 on 57 minutes, to the delight of the travelling fans gathered at that end of the stadium.
Tomas Lavanini and George Martin joined the forward pack just after the hour and they were central to another determined push for the line after breaks by Genge and scrum-half replacement jack van Poortvliet. But Warriors held out and were finally given a penalty award almost on the chalk.
Humphreys’ pace threatened on the Worcester right before being tackled by Scott, and when Reffell got over the breakdown, the whistle brought welcome relief as Tigers had been on the defensive just inside their own half for more than a dozen phases.
Tigers were then penalised at their own lineout on halfway but Shillcock shot well wide from halfway with his team one point down.
Warriors got straight back on the offensive, with the crowd right behind them, as Hill almost found his way to the corner before being closed out by a try-saving tackle just a couple of metres out from Potter and Liebenberg.
Tigers still had to defend the lineout and, when the throw was ruled not straight, they also stood firm at the scrum, gaining their own penalty with one point still separating the teams and four minutes left on the clock.
When wing Doel was then caught under pressure back in his own half, referee Dickson blew in Tigers’ favour but Henry kicked his penalty wide.
Tigers still had to negotiate a few extra minutes, with Kini Murimurivalu’s big carry in midfield and some good work at close quarters from Lavanini and Cole to tidy up possession until a final scrum with the clock on zero.
The team acknowledged their supporters before heading for the tunnel with four points banked in sixth place in the table before the final two games against Bristol Bears at Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Saturday and then at Wasps in Round 22. Both games are open to supporters and tickets are available now.
Commentary
FULL-TIME | WARRIORS 17-18 TIGERS
Double trouble from Ellis Genge and the boot of Zack Henry is enough to get Tigers the victory on the road at Sixways!
79
LATE GAME MANAGEMENT
Tigers with ball now in hand with under two minutes left, they look to run the clock down through the likes of Martin, Cole, and Lavanini.
Leicester happy to lose some metres, we will go for a scrum as the clock ticks past the eighty-minute mark...
75
HUGE MOMENTS
Van Poortvliet feeds the scrum...HEEEAAAVEEEE...A massive push from the pack earns themselves a penalty at the set piece and chance to kick for touch outside of our 22.
Great pressure from Leicester after a brilliant chase and effort at the breakdown to follow sees Dan Cole earn his side a penalty. Henry opts to go for the posts but his attempt is unsuccessful and goes just wide.
74
WORCESTER BREAK LINE
Harri Doel is able to break Tigers tackles following Leicester's clearance, running down the left the lads scramble in defence to stop a Worcester try.
With a Worcester line out from 5m then resulting, the throw is deemed not straight and Tigers are awarded a scrum-feed...
71
INSIDE THE FINAL 10
With time stopped on the clock, Ollie Lawrence and Tommy Reffell both receive treatment.
Following Tigers penalty clearance, Youngs finds Martin from the line out but the boys are penalised in the maul for illegal play.
Worcester opt for the posts but Jamie Shillcock's kick is unsuccessful as he pulls it just left of the posts. Tigers lead by one as we enter the last 10 minutes.
69
WORCESTER PRESSURE
Worcester looking to respond and regain their lead through forcing territory their way. A slightly overcooked kick sees Henry call the mark and clear for Tigers.
With just over 10 minutes to play at Sixways, Worcester come back once again at Tigers playing just inside Leicester's half.
With a knock-on advantage in hand the hosts break down the right but a tap tackle from Scott stops them in their tracks. Reffell is there once again to win the penalty in the breakdown!
TIGERS REPLACEMENT
Tomas Lavanini, James Whitcombe, and Kini Murimurivalu are all on the pitch now for Leicester.
63
TIGERS LOOKING DANGEROUS
Van Poortvliet's first action of the game sees himself involved in a TMO review on a late charge down. Nothing is deemed illegal or dangerous and we'll reset with a Worcester scrum.
Harry Potter does well under the high ball and gains needed territory for Leicester. Working the ball left, the lads are building nicely into the Worcester end, phase by phase...
In come the forward pack nibbling away at the short metres but some excellent defensive work from Andrew Kitchener forces the turnover.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
George Martin and Jack Van Poortvliet come on for Tigers in replace of Jasper Wiese and Ben Youngs.
HENRY ADDS THE POINTS
Henry's conversion is successful and puts Tigers into the lead for the first time in the match.
GENGE AT THE DOUBLE
Ellis Genge has a second on the day following some neat work from the forward pack!
55
15-ON-15
Niall Annett's time in the bin comes to an end and Worcester return to their full fifteen.
54
TIGERS FIGHTING IN DEFENCE
Kicks exchanged between Henry and Smith results in Matt Scott being penalised for offside. With the game of kick tennis coming to an end, Worcester can kick to touch and have a line out on Tigers 22m line.
The line out is a good one and the hosts look to work the ball left with ball in hand. Tigers defence holds strong though and it's that man again Tommy Reffell who wins the penalty at the breakdown.
49
REFFELL HUSTLE
Following the line out, Worcester look to respond and find space down the left touchline. Harri Doel is dragged down by Tommy Reffell in cover, who then forces a penalty at the breakdown with a turnover.
Warriors are unable to gather under another high ball and a knock on sees a scrum in Tigers way.
TIGERS REPLACEMENTS
Potter, Youngs, and Cole all enter the field replacing Van Wyk, Heyes, and Clare.
46
CONVERSION ATTEMPT UNSUCCESSFUL
Zack Henry is unable to add the extras, Tigers trail by 6.
GENGE GOES OVER
A quick tap and go from Ellis Genge sees himself able to bundle over the line for Tigers first try of the day!
WORCESTER DOWN TO 14
Tigers look to respond to an early second-half setback. Henry does well under the high ball from a returning kick and Joe Heyes is able to gather the loose ball. A penalty in the breakdown goes Tigers way and McPhillips kicks to the corner.
Henderson rises highest to receive the line out ball and the maul is formed. Niall Annett is penalised in maul and sees yellow.
PENALTY ATTEMPT SUCCESSFUL
The home side are able to extend their lead by three with a successful penalty-goal attempt from halfway.
41
EARLY WARRIORS CHANCE
An early penalty opportunity for the Warriors provides the opportunity for Jamie Shillcock to go for the posts...
SECOND HALF UNDERWAY
Fin Smith restarts things here at Sixways Stadium as Tigers look to respond from 8 points down inside these next 40 minutes.
HALF-TIME | WARRIORS 14-6 TIGERS
The first-half comes to a close at Sixways with the hosts two tries good enough to put them in-front at the break.
39
OPPORTUNITY GONE BEGGING
The pack win a penalty, against the feed, at scrum time inside the Worcester 22 and we kick for the corner for a lineout with sixty seconds remaining.
However, th ball is knocked on as it's moved down the line from the maul inside the Worcester half, handing back possession to the home side with time almost up in the first half.
HOUGAARD ADDS THE POINTS
The conversion attempt is successful from in front of the posts.
WORCESTER CAPTAIN SCORES
Ted Hill pirouettes past the Tigers defence and is able to bound over the line for the hosts second try of the day.
36
WORCESTER WITH BALL IN HAND
An exhausting passage of play comes to a find as Nadolo is deemed to have played a forward pass. We'll have a water break before a Warriors scrum.
Hougaard feeds the scrum and collects at the base as we enter the final five minutes here at Sixways. The Warriors look to go through the phases with Ollie Lawrence gaining yards down the right.
Working the ball back from right to left, Ted Hill picks up the ball and breaks a couple of Tiger tackles...
34
A CAGEY AFFAIR
Following the kick-off, the teams once again find themselves exchanging kicks between one another. Jamie Shillcock finds himself having to clear under pressure from Tigers runners and has to find touch.
A cagey affair between the two sides at the moment with majority of ball being played in and around the halfway line.
HENRY ON PENALTY DUTY AGAIN
The gap is closed to one point by Zack Henry, who lands a second penalty-goal on the half hour mark at Sixways.
29
MIX UP FROM WORCESTER BACKS
A miscommunication from Humphreys and Lawrence in Worcester's backline under the highball sees a knock-on and another set piece opportunity for Tigers with a scrum on the hosts 22m line.
Tigers win the penalty in the scrum and opt for the posts...
27
PENALTY MISS
The penalty-goal attempt from Henry goes wide, meaning the deficit remains four with twelve minutes remaining in the first half at Sixways.
26
BIG EFFORT AT THE BREAKDOWN
Henderson is on the end of Clare's line out this time, providing the Youngs to opportunity to kick clear. Nadolo on this chase down gets himself in a brilliant position and wins a penalty at the breakdown.
Zack Henry to go for the posts again...
24
SCARE FOR TIGERS
A clearing kick is charged down by the home side, who chase down the bouncing ball and win back possession deep inside our half. However, Tommy Reffell strikes at the breakdown to win a penalty! Johnny McPhillips to clear for Tigers.
22
TIGERS WITH THE TERRITORY
The Warriors are able to clear their lines following the scrum, but with ball in hand, Zack Henry kicks beautifully into the corner forcing pressure on the home-side with a line-out 5m out from their try line.
Niall Annett is on line-out duty following some time off for treatment to Kvesiv. Hougaard kicks clear into the hands of Van Wyk, with Nadolo himself getting involved in a game of kick tennis.
Some more pressure from Tigers inside Worcester's own 22 sees the hosts pinned back once again. A kick from today's full back Zack Henry is overcooked however and bounces past the dead ball line. Scrum for Worcester.
19
LEICESTER LOOKING TO REDUCE THE DEFICIT
HEAAAVEEEE. Good work in the scrum for the Tigers front rowers earns them a penalty. McPhillips kicks to the corner to gain some territory for Leicester.
Clare on line out duty finds Liebenberg who pops it back to Youngs. Tigers work the ball right through Nadolo and Scott, but a dropped ball by Van Wyk turns over the ball Warriors way.
16
SCRUM TIME
An exchange of kicks back and forth between the two teams comes to an end as Henry's kick is charged down by Matt Kvesic. Tigers are able to recover though and box kick clear through Youngs.
A knock-on from Warriors following the high ball sees a scrum goes Leicester's way. Youngs to feed in...
14
TIGERS ON THE FRONT FOOT
Following the kick off Smith is able to gather in but is penalised for rolling following the tackle. Tigers look to build on their penalty score with a kick to the corner.
Clare throws in and the maul is formed. Within catch and drive territory Tigers pack numbers in and try to force some pressure. Young finds McPhillips who kicks wide looking for Nadolo. But a late tackle in the air sees Nemani penalised. Warriors with a chance to kick clear.
HENRY GETS TIGERS ON THE BOARD
A successful penalty conversion from Zack Henry gets Tigers up and running. Worcester 7-3 Tigers.
9
TIGERS PENALTY
Tigers line out from the penalty clearance sees Clare looking to weave the maul forward. Youngs retrieves from the base and kicks clear and with good runners providing pressure Tigers force the penalty.
Leicester opt for the posts through Zack Henry...
8
DEFENSIVE DAN KELLY
Following an early set back Tigers look to respond in their own fashion. Ellis Genge is able to break the line and gain metres, however, Matt Scott is deemed offside and interfering with play. Penalty goes Worcester's way and Smith kicks to the corner.
Annett throws in the line out and heavy carriers from Worcester's centre sees Sixways on their feet looking for another try.
However, some excellent work from Dan Kelly forces the penalty inTigers way through some strong work in the breakdown.
HOUGAARD CONVERTS
The conversion is successful and Worcester lead Tigers early on here by 7-0.
SHILLCOCK SOCRES FOR THE HOSTS
Shillcock is able to bundle over in the corner following some neat work from Worcester. Hogaard to kick the conversion...
4
WORCESTER PRESSURE
Following Charlie Clare's line out, a scrum is formed in the Warriors way following a knock-on from Tigers.
Hougaard feeds the scrum and is able to retrieve the ball himself. Worcester look to work the ball right with men over...
2
EARLY MOMENTS
Francois Hougaard box kicks clear following kick-off, with Nemani Nadolo look to find space coming back the other way.
Both teams just finding their feet early in this game, with an exchange of kicks occurring between the two sides.
Shillock is able to find space in behind Tigers backs resulting in a line out 5m out from Tigers own try line.
KICK-OFF | WARRIORS V TIGERS 🏉
HERE WE GO! Tigers get things underway here at Sixways Stadium through the boot of Johnny McPhillips.
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LIVE IN FIVE!
Five minutes to go until we’re underway here.
As the crowd of 3,100 starts to fill Sixways stadium, both teams have finished their warm-ups and made their way into the dressing rooms for those final words.
Stay tuned as we bring you all the latest right here on Matchday Live!
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#TIGERSONTOUR
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HOW THE HOSTS LINE UP…
Worcester Warriors: 15 Jamie Shillcock, 14 Perry Humphreys, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Harri Doel, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Francois Hougaard, 1 Marc Thomas, 2 Niall Annett, 3 Jay Tyack, 4 Andrew Kitchener, 5 Justin Clegg, 6 Ted Hill (C), 7 Sam Lewis, 8 Matt Kvesic.
Replacements: 16 Isaac Miller, 17 Callum Black, 18 Scott Andrews, 19 Joe Batley, 20 Kyle Hatherell, 21 Gareth Simpson, 22 Duncan Weir, 23 Noah Heward.
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YOUR TIGERS 15...
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MATCH PREVIEW
A crowd of 3,100 has been permitted for this Leicester Tigers match away to Worcester in line with an easing of Covid restrictions.
Warriors have been able to host supporters just twice at Sixways since March 2020, while it is exactly 15 months since Tigers had an opportunity to open the turnstiles due to the combined effects of national guidelines and local lockdowns.
Last time out Leicester Tigers secured a 35-29 home victory over Harlequins in Round 19, ending a three-game losing run in the competition. The Tigers most recent victory away from home in Premiership Rugby came on a trip to Gloucester in Round 13.
Leicester have won their last two Premiership Rugby matches against the Warriors but both games were played at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with the Tigers having not been victorious at Sixways since a 34-5 victory in March 2018.
Read all the important facts and stats in our full match preview here.
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A TRIP TO THE WARRIORS | KO 3:00PM 🐯
Good afternoon to all the #TigersAtHome and welcome to Matchday Live as Leicester Tigers are on the road away to Worcester Warriors.
With kick-off just half an hour away in this weekend’s Round 20 Gallagher Premiership fixture, we’ll be bringing you all the action as it happens here with Matchday Live on the official Leicester Tigers app.