Voting is now open for March 2024's Topps Tiles Triumph of the Month.
The Topps Tiles Triumph of the Month offers supporters the chance to vote for their favourite moment from a shortlist of three and hear from the winning player in an exclusive chat on LTTV, thanks to Main Partner Topps Tiles.
You can vote via the form at the bottom of this page. Please note: Voting closes at midday this Thursday, April 11.
The Shortlist
Jack van Poortvliet, Return to Action (v Gloucester Rugby)
August 14, 2023 - Jack van Poortvliet is ruled out with a long-term ankle injury.
March 22, 2024 - Jack van Poortvliet recieves a raucous ovation at Mattioli Woods Welford Road as he enters the field from the replacements.
After 30 weeks of putting in the work across a comprehensive rehabilitation programme, scrum half Jack van Poortvliet made his long awaited return to action.
Initially named amongst the replacements, the England no. 9 had already recieved the loudest cheer of the intial team read prior to the match but this noise was only amplified when he finally strode onto the field shortly after half time, the Tigers academy graduate finally back playing in the green, white and red.
Ollie Hassell-Collins, Try (v Newcastle Falcons)
A spectacular score from Tigers' joint-top try scorer of the season, this try saw lightning handling from the backline at it's centre to put Hassell-Collins over in the corner.
With 15 minutes remaining in the match, this was a vital piece of play in snatching victory away at Kingston Park. The Falcons defence is pressing rapidly but astute hands see the ball fired back with deep passes first from Solomone Kate and then Handré Pollard who recognise the space out wide. Two defenders are right onto Freddie Steward yet the full back is able to miraculously get the ball away with a lofted pass that finds Jamie Shillcock in space.
From there, Shillcock sprints into the gap left in the defence, the substitute turning on the afterburners to leave the remainder of the defence and force a two-on-one situation that allows a simple pop to Hassell-Collins that allows the wing to touch down.
Finn Carnduff & Jasper Wiese, Last-Minute Turnover (v Newcastle Falcons)
Our final nomination for March comes from the same game but somehow 35 minutes later, despite the prior nomination taking place in the 65th minute of the game.
With just six points seperating the two sides and the hosts in possession as the clock ticked over the 80 minute mark, only an absolutely mammoth effort from the entire Tigers side could contain the opposition and keep the lead in tact.
For twenty minutes Leicester Tigers held firm against wave after wave of relentless attack; covering the whole width of the pitch and standing strong, the final whistle finally blew thanks to the efforts of academy graduate (and England Under-20s Grand Slam winning captain) Finn Carnduff and Springbok World Cup-winner Jasper Wiese.
The back-row stars both managed to get over the ball and force a turnover before roaring in jubilation as the referee awarded the penalty, the victory finally theirs. A true triumph!
Vote for your favourite Triumph of the Month via the form below. Please note: Voting closes at Midday on Thursday, April 11.