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Tigers end Jersey week with a win

Leicester Tigers scored three tries as they kicked off a trio of pre-season fixtures with victory over Jersey Reds on Friday.

Running out at the Stade Santander International in St Peter for the first time in the club’s 2021/22 match kit and led out by scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, Tigers included nine summer signings in a 24-man squad alongside academy graduates Jacob Cusick, Joe Browning and Archie Vanes as they registered a 17-7 victory. 

A crowd of more than 1,700 enjoying the sunshine greeted the players for the 5.00pm kick-off, with both teams wearing black armbands as a mark of respect for Charles Olowfela, father of Tigers academy graduates Jordan and Ryan, who passed away earlier this week.

The opening score came after just three minutes, with Tigers playing quickly from a succession of phases until Guy Porter dived in on the left and Freddie Burns added the touchline conversion.

Tonga international Hosea Saumaki provided the second on 18 minutes, capitalising on scrum possession to break free on the left touchline.

Gareth Evans had already joined the action by that stage and Nephi Leatigaga soon made his comeback from injury as a replacement. But the Reds claimed the next score, defending a driving maul near their own line before seeing Ryan Olowofela latch on to loose ball in midfield and race clear to dot down. The conversion made it 7-12 at half-time.

Harry Simmons, on a season-long loan from Tigers, and former colleague Guy Thompson were among the second-half replacements for the hosts, while Eli Snymann and Dan Richardson were given a first run-out by Steve Borthwick.

Snymann immediately set up two lineout drives and, although Tigers dominated possession and territory for the entire second half, they had to wait until the hour mark for a third try when teenager Jacob Cusick – with his first touch of the ball – dived in on the right following a close-range scrum.

Tigers are back on home ground next Saturday when the Dragons are the visitors (2.00pm). Entry is free to season ticket holders, and match tickets are on sale now to all other supporters.

The new Gallagher Premiership season kicks off at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, September 18 (3.00pm) when Exeter Chiefs are the visitors. Tickets are on sale now, including early bird places at just £15 adults, £5 juniors. Book online, or phone the Tigers ticket office on 0116 319 8888 (option 2).

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

JER 7-12 LEI

FT ScoreFull Time Score

JER 7-17 LEI

Attendance

1,702

Referee

Adam Leal

Jersey Reds
Jersey Reds
7

Full Time

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
17
Jersey Reds
KOHTFT
Leicester Tigers

Commentary

FULL-TIME | JERSEY REDS 7-17 TIGERS

A win to kick off the pre-season campaign in Jersey.

HALF-TIME | JERSEY REDS 7-12 TIGERS

We lead by 5 at the break!

KICK OFF

The 2021/22 season is underway!

0

Welcome to the first pre-season fixture of the 2021/22 season

Supporters can follow updates from the touchlines on Tigers social media throughout the evening, with reaction to follow on social media, website and app. Please note there is no Matchday Live commentary in place for the pre-season fixtures.

Coverage is also available via livestream link. Click here to find out more.


Preview | Tigers kick off pre-season fixtures

Leicester Tigers launch their pre-season programme in the Channel Islands today (Friday, 5.00pm) with a game against Championship club Jersey Reds.

Head coach Steve Borthwick has named a squad of 24 players, captained by scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet who led England Under-20s to a Six Nations Grand Slam earlier this summer.

The game comes at the end of a week-long training camp, the third time Tigers have spent some of their summer in Jersey.

“We’ve been training hard and getting to know each other with more time together,” said Borthwick.

“We’ve been as careful as Covid restrictions allow, but it is an opportunity to spend time with each other that we’ve not been able to do in the last 18 months.

“Through the three pre-season games, there will be opportunities for everybody to play. There is a lot of potential for growth and the thing that gives us a chance of that is the attitude we approach the contest. That means a lot of hard work, a great level of intensity and playing hard for each other.”

Freddie Burns makes his first appearance in his second spell with the club and the backline also includes recent arrivals Juan Pablo Socino, Bryce Hegarty and Hosea Saumaki. Francois van Wyk starts at prop in his first game for Tigers.

Fellow summer signings Dan Richardson, Eli Snyman, Dan Lancaster and Gareth Evans are among the replacements, together with former Reds prop Dan Richardson and academy graduates Jacob Cusick, Joe Browning and Archie Vanes. 

Jersey Reds include former Tigers centre Jack Roberts alongside Ryan Olowofela - twin brother of Tigers wing Jordan - in their backline. Back-rower Guy Thompson, now in his second stint at the club, and on-loan Harry Simmons are also named in a 29-man squad.

Supporters can follow updates from the touchlines on Tigers social media throughout the evening, with reaction to follow on social media, website and app. Please note there is no Matchday Live commentary in place for the pre-season fixtures.

Coverage is also available via livestream link. Click here to find out more.

Tigers return to home ground next Saturday for a game against the Dragons (2.00pm) and host the Scarlets on Thursday, September 9 (7.00pm). Entry to both games is included as part of season tickets, and match tickets are on sale now to all other supporters.

The new Gallagher Premiership season kicks off at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday, September 18 (3.00pm) when Exeter Chiefs are the visitors. Tickets are on sale now, including early bird places at just £15 adults, £5 juniors. Book online, or phone the Tigers ticket office on 0116 319 8888 (option 2).

Form Guide
Form
LL---
Last Match
Lost to Leicester Tigers 26-35
Past Meeting
Lost 26-35
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WWLLW
Last Match
Beat Nottingham Rugby 70-29
Past Meeting
Won 35-26

Matchday Live

Jersey Reds7
Jersey Reds
Leicester Tigers17
Leicester Tigers
Full Time