Leicester Tigers have fallen to Saracens 29-22 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in what was a titanic Gallagher Premiership battle.
First Half
The game started with high intensity, and Saracens struck first through captain Jamie George, who powered over from close range after a sustained period of pressure, the visitors converting to make it 7-0.
Tigers responded swiftly, determined to capitalise on their territory. After several powerful phases from the pack, Handré Pollard sent Freddie Steward charging through the defensive line to level the scores. Pollard added the extras (7-7).
Saracens regained the lead through a break in midfield, with Juan Martin Gonzalez finishing off a sharp offload from Theo McFarland. Another conversion stretched the lead to 14-7.
Pollard showcased his cool-headed precision with a well-taken drop goal in the 25th minute, narrowing the gap to 14-10. However, Saracens struck again through an Alex Lozowski drop goal, restoring their seven-point advantage.
Just before the break, Tigers found a crucial score. After a powerful drive from Freddie Steward, the forwards kept the pressure on, and Hanro Liebenberg forced his way over the line. Pollard’s conversion attempt from the left corner drifted wide, leaving Tigers trailing 17-15 at halftime.
Second Half
The second half started with more drama as Liebenberg struck again in the 42nd minute. Adam Radwan’s relentless chasing forced a turnover, and Leicester quickly spread the ball wide for the flanker to dive into the corner. Pollard nailed a difficult conversion to give Tigers the lead for the first time at 22-17.
However, Saracens responded with clinical efficiency. Academy winger Angus Hall finished a stunning move, diving over in the corner on his Premiership debut. Lozowski missed the conversion, keeping the game tied at 22-22.
Saracens then capitalised on a Leicester error at the lineout, with Theo Dan pouncing to score from close range. Burke’s accurate conversion pushed the visitors ahead at 29-22.
Tigers thought they had responded through Cameron Henderson, who charged down a Saracens clearance and crossed the line. However, the TMO ruled him offside, disallowing the try.
The match was hotly contested right to the final whistle, but it was Saracens who would prevail, winning 29-22 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Commentary
FULL TIME AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD
Saracens claim a hard-fought victory here.
Leicester had started the second half on top through Liebenberg's try but a superb finish from wing Angus Hall levelled things before Theo Dan scored the winner.
We're back home on Saturday, April 26 for our JTC Takeover Day in the Gallagher Premiership against Harlequins.
Full time score: Leicester Tigers 22 - 29 Saracens
SUBSTITUTIONS | TIGERS
Jamie Shillcock, Charlie Clare and James Whitcombe are on for Perese (who exits through injury), Montoya and Smith.
72
PENALTY MISSED | SARACENS
From just inside his own half, Elliot Daly hits a massive penalty but the ball sails wide, allowing Tigers to clear.
However, a punt through from Saracens puts Tigers under pressure with a line out five metres out.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
Côme Joussain replaces Harry Wells.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
It's been a tough last ten minutes as Saracens have dominated possession and the set piece.
Ben Youngs replaces Jack van Poortvliet at scrum half.
65
TRY DISALLOWED | CAMERON HENDERSON
As Saracens try to clear their lines, Cameron Henderson charges down a kick and the ball bounces nicely for the lock to dive over.
However, TMO halts the celebrations early as Henderson is shown to be offside from the replay.
COVERSION | SARACENS
Fergus Burke slots the extras from far-left and the visitors stretch their lead.
TRY | SARACENS
Leicester had defended well as Saracens went wide, forcing Hall into touch.
However, there's either a miscommunication or Montoya overthrows at the lineout as the ball sails over the top and ends up in the hands of Theo Dan who scores an easy chance.
SUBSTITUTION | SARACENS
An injury to Alex Lozowski sees the centre unable to continue, replaced by Alex Goode, a move which sees Goode go to fullback and Daly into midfield.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
Dan Cole and Emeka Ilione are on for Joe Heyes and Tommy Reffell.
The latter makes an instant impact, Ilione straight over the ball and winning a turnover of his own after Leicester had ceded possession.
55
THE CAPTAIN LEADS FROM THE FRONT
That's the hat trick of turnovers now for Julián Montoya, yet another vital steal from the captain to grant Tigers reprieve in their own half.
SUBSTITUTION | TIGERS
Izaia Perese replaces Solomone Kata in midfield.
On field, Saracens have won a vital penalty at scrum time and kicked to touch to clear their lines.
SUBSTITUTIONS | SARACENS
Saracens bring on three international forwards in the form of Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe and Ben Earl, in place of George, Tizard and Gonzalez respectively.
49
KATA FORCES KNOCK ON
Another nudge in behind sees the Fergus Burke realise the terrifying prospect of Solomone Kata hunting you down, the Tongan producing a monster hit to force a knock on and scrum in the Saracens half.
47
CONVERSION MISSED | ALEX LOZOWSKI
From the touchline, Lozowski can't add the extras and we remain all square.
TRY | SARACENS
Saracens exploit space out wide ruthlessly with two successive flat passes that put wing Angus Hall into space.
Academy graduate Hall, on his first Premiership start, has a lot to do but finishes with aplomb, an unbelievable dive and one handed touch down.
Level here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
Pollard beautifully curls round the kick which sails through the middle of the posts from the touchline.
TRY | HANRO LIEBENBERG
Tigers take the lead!
A nudge in behind from Pollard leads to a smashing shot from Radwan and the ball is won back.
Leicester play quickly, whipping the ball wide where Liebenberg demonstrates his skills as an edge forward diving into the corner.
BACK UNDERWAY FOR THE SECOND HALF
Handré Pollard kicks us off.
HALF TIME HERE AT HOME
Tigers sit two points behind at the break after early scores from Jamie George and Juan Martin Gonzalez were answered by tries from Freddie Steward and a late Liebenberg strike. Both sides have also notched a drop goal apiece.
Half time score: Leicester Tigers 15 - 17 Saracens
40
CONVERSION MISSED | Handré Pollard
From the far left corner Pollard's kick just drifts wide to leave his side two points adrift heading into the break.
TRY | HANRO LIEBENBERG
Massive score before the break!
Tigers won a penalty after a succession of phases and a bruising carry from Freddie Steward, kicked to touch.
From here, a rolling maul is somehow hauled down just short but Leicester keep their composure and a phase or two later, Liebenberg spots a blade of grass and powers the ball down to score.
SUBSTITUTION | SARACENS
A second front row replacement sees loosehead prop Eroni Mawi replaced by Rhys Carre.
DROP GOAL | SARACENS
Gap stretched to seven as we approach half time.
Not satisfied with his penalty miss earlier, Lozowski makes up for it not long after, positioning himself behind the ruck and taking the three coolly.
34
PENALTY MISSED| Alex Lozowski
Lozowski shoots wide from a penalty thirty metres out but relatively simple.
A minute earlier, Jamie George almost pulled off the sublime, the hooker busting out a grubber and chase that was knocked on.
Tigers still 4 points behind.
DROP GOAL | Handré Pollard
Cool as you like.
After 25 minutes of full blooded contact, Pollard takes the easy option and slots the three from in front of the posts, catching Saracens unawares.
25
THRILLING ENCOUNTER HERE
From the line out, the likes of Kata and Wells are hitting huge lines into contact but the ball is cannily turned over by Tom Willis.
Saracens then fly into action before Montoya gets over the ball again for another superb turnover.
Pollard pokes the ball in behind, spotting a mismatch that almost sees Hassell-Collins gather for a wonder try but the ball bobbling out.
CONVERSION | Handré Pollard
The Springbok converts with ease.
A second later, after kick off, Montoya wins a massive turnover and Leicester are straight back onto the offensive.
TRY | FREDDIE STEWARD
Finally Tigers get their opening try!
The hosts have dominated the last ten minutes and get their reward.
There's huge endeavour from the pack, sending crashing into contact to the orchestration of van Poortvliet before eventually the ball comes wide and Pollard hits Steward on a crashing line, the fullback smashing through flailing arms to gallop clear and touch down.
16
Leicester hammering on the door
From the drop-out, Pollard sends the ball wide almost immediately, with Hanro Liebenberg swerving through space but unable to beat the last defender.
A minute later, Solomone Kata is a hairs breadth from running clean through, his offload to Radwan going awry. We reset for an earlier infringement, the penalty kicked to touch.
13
Tigers so close
A penalty is won almost immediately from kick off and the crowd roars as it's kicked to touch.
Tigers get over the line but in amongst a mass of bodies referee Luke Pearce can't be sure of a grounding so we reset for a scrum.
From there, Solomone Kata picks and drives from a ruck but is then held up, Saracens able to clear their lines.
CONVERSION | SARACENS
Another simple conversion extends the visiting lead.
TRY | SARACENS
The maul is defended well and an infringement at the ruck allows Saracens to clear to halfway.
A visiting scrum just inside the Leicester half is won well and a break in midfield then sees the ball shipped wide to Theo McFarland.
The Samoan international then offloads back inside and allows fellow flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez to bound through and dive over to score.
7
FIRST SCRUM OF THE GAME
Tigers have the game's first scrum and it's a big one, on the Saracens 22.
Back to business, the front row of Smith, Montoya and Heyes do the business and win a penalty, kicked to touch.
CONVERSION | SARACENS
Fergus Burke converts a simple shot.
TRY | JAMIE GEORGE
Tigers had an initial opportunity in the Saracens 22 but a knock on at the line out ceded possession.
The visitors then dominate the ball for the next few minutes, going close but for a few last minute interventions by Radwan and Steward before finally Jamie George drives over from close range.
BRIEF STOPPAGE
Time is currently off due to an injury sustained by Saracens prop Fraser Balmain.
He is replaced by Italian prop Marco Riccioni.
WE'RE UNDERWAY!
Fergus Burke kicks us off and Tigers gather, the forward pouring into contact early on.
-5
ATMOSPHERE BUILDING HERE
As the team's are read out, there's huge cheers around the ground as the Leicester Tigers Down Syndrome Rugby team pose for a photo on the pitch.
They're attending today's match as the club celebrates World Down Syndrome Awareness Day.
Both teams are in the dressing room as we get set for action.
-15
VISITING TEAM NEWS
Saracens were defeated in a London derby with Harlequins last week and will be looking to get back to winning ways today.
With a number of highly established internationals in their side, the visitors will be looking to England captain Maro Itoje and former England captain Jamie George to lead from the front, while a backrow of Theo McFarland, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Tom Willis packs immense firepower.
-25
TEAM NEWS - LATE TIGERS CHANGE
A late change is made to the starting squad, with Ollie Chessum, initially named in the starting XV, replaced by Harry Wells.
With Wells into the side, Côme Joussain now enters the replacements.
Otherwise, the squad is unchanged from the 23 that defeated Saints at Franklin's Gardens last weekend.
-30
HALF AN HOUR TILL KICK OFF!
There's just 30 minutes to go until Gallagher Premiership action returns to Leicester!
Following a shutout win in the East-Midlands derby, Tigers welcome Saracens to Mattioli Woods Welford Road as the run-in for the play offs continues.
Make your way down to the stadium and take your seat, switch on TNT Sports 1 to watch live or stick here with us on Matchday Live for all the updates!