Leicester Tigers have defeated Saracens 19-10 in front of more than 22,000 fans at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
A powerful performance by Tigers’ forward pack sealed the crucial victory for Dan McKellar’s side as they now look to the Investec Champions Cup.
Tigers drew first blood through Dan Kelly, the centre poaching a pass from Owen Farrell to sprint away and score under the Europcar stand.
Saracens then took the lead, a brilliant try finished off by Tom Parton.
Farrell converted the extras and then added a penalty to make it 10-5.
Tigers were playing well however, and continued to create opportunities. Eventually the pressure told and Matt Rogerson was as able to burrow his way over the line for the second week running.
Leicester and Kelly looked like they’d scored a second, but the TMO judged Elliot Daly held the ball up, and it stayed 12-10 as the teams trotted to the changing rooms.
Tigers knew they had to match their first half effort if not beat it, but the home side found themselves under immediate pressure as Saracens went on the attack after less than a minute.
Leicester held them out however, and that seemed to turn the momentum, as Tigers went hunting.
The score would take them 25 minutes to find, but eventually, it would come, Tigers dominance was finally rewarded with Harry Simmons diving over in the corner.
Pollard was as imperious as ever and nailed the touchline conversion to push the advantage beyond seven points.
Both sides had their chances to find a bonus point, but it was Tigers day and the home side held firm to win 19-10.
Commentary
FULL TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
A huge roar goes up as Tigers claim a brutally hard-fought victory over the champions, Saracens.
A second half try from Harry Simmons, along with scores from Kelly and Rogerson, sealed the win.
Full time score: Leicester Tigers 19 - 10 Saracens
79
TIGERSD PUSHING FOR BONUS POINT
Crashing carries come flying in as Tigers are fighting tooth and nail for the four try bonus point, huge carries coming in from all over the park.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
As mentioned, Shillcock is on for Freddie Steward (with Brown shifting to fullback, Shillcock to the wing) and Olly Cracknell is on for Tommy Reffell.
74
TIGERS WIN POSSESSION IN VITAL POSITION
A booming clearance kick from Tigers is chased down by a rabid Jamie Shillcock, who's entered the field on the wing.
He drags back his opposite number a further 15 metres and as Saracens scramble to clear their lines, Chessum drags the breaking winger into touch for a line out on Saracens 22.
SUBSTITUTIONS | LEICESTER TIGERS
Finn Theobald-Thomas and Harry Wells come on for Julián Montoya and George Martin
69
PHYSICAL MIDFIELD BATTLE
Both sides are going hammer and tongs as we enter the final ten minutes.
Lots of big double tackles flying in, tight carries and big clearances, the action shifting across the park but with both sides unable to make the move into the opposition 22.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
Kyle Hatherall reinforces the back row in place of tryscorer Matt Rogerson
SUBSTITUTIONS | SARACENS
Logovi'i Mulipola, Andy Christie and Alex Lewington all enter the field for the visitors.
Maro Itoje also returns from the sin bin.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
Changes in the front row as props Francois Van Wyk and Will Hurd come on for James Cronin and Joe Heyes
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
A perfectly struck kick from Pollard further the Tigers lead to nine points.
Right from the touchline, the Springbok Fly Half confidently added the extras.
TRY | HARRY SIMMONS
The pressure tells!
Tigers had actually briefly lost the ball but yet another scrum penalty is forced to hand possession back to the home side.
This time Leicester make no mistake, opting for the scrum and a slick move from the base splitting the Saracens defence and allowing a looping miss pass to find Simmons in space.
The wing still has a lot to do but the acceleration is superb and he dives over with aplomb in the far corner.
SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS
Ben Youngs returns to action, replacing Tom Whiteley at scrum half
YELLOW CARD | SARACENS
Maro Itoje is shown to the sin bin following cumulative infringements.
55
Tigers with relentless pressure
It all began in Tigers' 22, a big shove winning another scrum penalty and Tigers clear to halfway. From the line out, Solomone Kata makes exceptional metres with an agricultural line, and a second penalty won is kicked to Saracens five metre line.
After a fracas, Tigers get the scrum and have a go before another penalty is awarded and Tigers look to scrum just a couple of metres from the line.
SUBSTITUTIONS | SARACENS
Changes in the visitors pack as prop Ollie Hoskins and lock Nick Isiekwe enter the field for Hugh Tizard and Christian Judge
45
HUGE TURNOVER ON THE TRY LINE
The visitors have enjoyed the lions share of possession thus far in the second half, inching their way forward till virtually on the Tigers line.
But at the last possible second, there's a crucial turnover won by man of the moment Mike Brown, winning the Tigers the penalty and allowing Pollard to clear the lines.
THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY
Owen Farrell gets the second 40 minutes started, dusk having descended on Leicester over the half time break.
HALF TIME HERE
Tigers lead after a physical, thrilling first half here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, tries from Dan Kelly and Matt Rogerson cancelling a Saracens score and penalty.
Half time score: Leicester Tigers 12 - 10 Saracens
38
TRY DISALLOWED | DAN KELLY
Devestating. Dissappointment rings around Mattioli Woods Welford Road as the TMO rules out what was a cracking score.
Saracens have a line out inside their own half which is stolen by a totemic Ollie Chessum. From there, the team play wide and Kelly collects his own chip and chase to crash down.
However, after review, the TMO adjudicates that the covering Saracen turned Kelly enough to stop him grounding the ball and as it was then spilled, the score is ruled out.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Tigers retake the lead, Pollard slotting home from just to the left of the posts.
TRY | MATT ROGERSON
Two tries in two games for Matt Rogerson!
A line out kicks us off, a big carry from Wiese followed up by another as the forwards fight from the 22 to the Saracens line.
A penalty is given but Tigers opt for the scrum, Wiese carrying from the base before Rogerson drives low and places the ball right on the line with an outstretched arm.
26
TIGERS BUILDING PLAY
Tigers are looking to fight back into this, Pollard putting through a lovely grubber which is collected by Kelly. The Springbok fly half then flings the ball wide right a phase later, finding Martin in space who makes good ground.
An unfortunate turnover stall momentum but, a minute later, Tigers win a vital scrum penalty on halfway and the ball is kicked to touch ten metres out.
PENALTY | SARACENS
Saracens come again and a late hit on Maro Itoje in front of the posts hands the visitors a further three points, Farrell dispatching the penalty.
CONVERSION | SARACENS
Owen Farrell slots the extras from the right hand side to hand the visitors the lead.
TRY | SARACENS
Tigers had cleared their lines up to halfway but Saracens flew back with a vengeance.
A well worked set piece move from deep sees Elliot Daly steam through and he executes the 2 on 1 to perfection to put fullback Tom Parton over for the score.
11
CONVERSION MISSED | Handré Pollard
From the right touchline, Pollard goes close but the conversion goes just wide to the left.
TRY | DAN KELLY
Tigers strike first with a dynamite try for centre Dan Kelly!
Saracens were building the ball wide but Kelly reads an Owen Farrell pass and plucks it out of the air, putting on the afterburners to dive over in the corner.
The Tigers Family are roaring early!
7
TIGERS TRY HELD UP
James Cronin wins a turnover on halfway and the crowd rise in anticipation as it's kicked to touch.
The maul is on and it rumbles over the line but it's cruelly held up and Saracens clear their lines.
Substitution | Saracens
Early sub for the visitors as hooker Theo Dan enters the field for Kapeli Pifeleti.
4
Back and forth action early on
Steward has enjoyed a superb start to the match and it's his chase from his own kick that gets Tigers the ball back, driving back his man and forcing a hasty Saracens to put the ball in touch.
But possession is lost shortly thereafter, as the referee adjudicates a forward pass following the line out, scrum to Saracens.
2
EARLY PENALTY FOR TIGERS
Early action for Freddie Steward, who first fields a skyward box kick expertly, before, a couple of phases later, taking flight himself to claim at the apex, winning the penalty after a Saracens player had taken him in the air.
Tigers kick to touch and a smart line out routine sees Chessum make metres.
1
KICK OFF HERE AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
The sun peeks through a cloudy sky as Tigers get the match underway.
Handré Pollard kicks us off with a lofted boot to the right hand side.
-5
FIVE MINUTES TO GO
We're almost ready for action here.
Huge cheers go up as Julián Montoya's name is called on the team read, the Tigers Captain set for his 50th start for the club today, cheers only matched by those for Mike Brown, who extended his Tigers contract just this week.
The teams are getting ready to enter the field now, kick off coming soon!
-20
Follow along live, wherever you are
A reminder that you can keep up with today's match wherever you are, through a range of platforms.
Whether you're roaring from the stands here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, curled up on the sofa watching TNT Sports 1 or sat with a brew here with us on Matchday Live, don't miss what's sure to be a thrilling game of rugby!
-30
30 MINUTES TO KICK OFF
There's just half an hour to go till Leicester Tigers face Saracens in Gallagher Premiership action.
The atmosphere is beginning to build here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with a packed terrace bringing the noise, so get set for a cracker!