Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
As Luke Pearce blew the final whistle at the end of a helter-skelter Saracens victory which kept their Premiership play-off hopes alive, Maro Itoje fell to one knee. For once, England’s iron man looked completely and utterly broken.
Other Saracens players had also collapsed with exhaustion but slowly picked themselves up to start celebrating or to shake hands with the opposition. Itoje, though, remained exactly where he was for the next 90 seconds staring into the Welford Road turf as the world buzzed around the front runner for the Lions captaincy.
Even for a well oiled machine such as Itoje, there is a point where the tank runs dry after playing a full 80 minutes for 14 successive matches for which he was available. His last rest came in early December immediately following the Autumn Nations Series, in which he also played every single minute. Somehow in spite of all that, the England captain still delivered a man of the match performance against Leicester, even if he twice had to receive treatment for various ailments.
The good news is that Itoje will now receive a break. The bad news, at least for the organisers of the Champions Cup, is that Tom Willis, Elliot Daly, Ben Earl and Jamie George will also miss the last 16 round match away to Toulon. The latter three are not mandated to have a break under the current player welfare agreement, but director of rugby Mark McCall made the decision to prioritise the Premiership, which has just about been vindicated as Saracens bounced back from their surprise defeat to Harlequins.
“We think it’s unwise not to rest them,” McCall said. “In some ways the season forces you, unless you had a different draw to the one we had [in Europe], to prioritise one of the two competitions. We did that.
“We made the decision to do this halfway through the Six Nations. To be honest maybe after we lost to Castres, we got on the difficult side of the draw so we were always going to do this and they are all off now for the next 7-10 days. Your hand is forced to some extent. It didn’t look a great decision last weekend but we saw the extra value today. It is very important that they get rest.
“It is not just Maro’s athleticism, also his leadership because to suffer what we suffered last weekend and the consequences of it in an important game, and then to pull everyone together, to come up here and perform, that took good leadership. Maro was at the heart of that. Of course, in an ideal world you would not have to play him in back to back games, but we took the decision halfway through the Six Nations and he was on board with it. Now he needs seven or ten days’ rest, which he is going to get.”
After blowing a 12-0 lead against Harlequins eight days ago, Saracens supporters would have been feeling some unwelcome deja vu as they went 14-0 up against Leicester, through tries from Jamie George and Juan Martin Gonzalez, inside the first ten minutes only to get peg back. After a profligate opening quarter, Leicester found their groove through tries from Freddie Steward and two from Hanro Liebenberg either side of half-time.
Then came the moment of the match. Teenage winger Angus Hall was making his first start for Saracens at the same venue when Itoje did back in 2013. When Elliot Daly fizzed a bullet of a pass to him on the left wing there was still a lot of work to do with Adam Radwan haring across to cover but Hall acrobatically dived for the corner and grounded the ball with one hand with the rest of his body still in midair.
“What I’ve been most impressed about is his ability to revel in the next step that he’s given,” McCall said. “He doesn’t shrink from it, he rises to it. It’s hell of a quality to have. His finish today was incredible. There are a lot of people who just turn 19 who would go oh dear how is this going to go, but he couldn’t wait for the game. You have to back young players like that.”
As befitting an error-strewn match, featuring 24 turnovers and 25 penalties, the winning score came from a mistake as Saracens hooker Theo Dan latched on to Julian Montoya’s wayward line-out throw to go over. There were still a few nervy periods, not least when Hall shot out the line with a death-or-glory tackle on Jamie Shillcock, but Saracens just about held on to close the gap on the play-off places to two points.
06:11 PM BST
Thanks for joining us
That brings our live coverage of Saracen’s victory over Leicester Tigers in round 13 of the Gallagher Premiership. Thanks for joining us.
05:22 PM BST
Mark McCall reacts: ‘We had to scrap and fight for everything’
Speaking on TNT Sports
All the things we lacked last week, we had this week. We had to scrap and fight and compete for everything. We put ourselves under a lot of pressure in the first half, we gave away 11 penalties and we had to do a lot of defending, but we did it really well with huge energy. We just found a way.
After the Quins game I was dreading having to watch it again. But after today I’m looking forward to watching this again. There was so many extra efforts and stuff off the ball that sometimes you don’t see. It felt like a team again, and that’s a feeling we want to chase all year.
Bath are flying at the top and everyone is scrapping for those final three places, I’m glad we got ourselves back into the fight. I just wanted us to play better and compete better, and we did that.
05:04 PM BST
Maro Itoje speaks to TNT Sports
We felt like a team. It didn’t go perfect, we made loads of mistakes. Lineout – we made loads of mistakes. But some of our young guys, Angus, stepped up today – Tobias stepped up today. Ferg, our 10, and Ivan, they did really well today as well. There’s lots to built, lot’s to be positive about.
We had something like 14 points in the first half. We weren’t good enough around the breakdown. We didn’t quite handle that in the first half. Second half still wasn’t great...but I think we were able to build a bit more pressure.
Every game is worth the same amount of points. Obviously if we lost today it would have been a bit more difficult, but it would have been in our control. We’re playing some teams that are ahead of us and if we can take some points off them, it’ll look like we’re moving in a positive direction.
05:01 PM BST
Full time: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
Saracens escape with victory and bonus point in tow at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. It was a brilliant second half performance from the visitors who keep themselves in the play-off place.
Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers move into third as they draw level with Gloucester thanks to their losing bonus point this afternoon. Michael Cheika will be aggrieved as his side had the opportunity to cement their top four spot and will be disappointed to miss out.
04:54 PM BST
78 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
Angus Hall forces a knock-on to win a scrum for Saracens. Two minutes to play and the visitors will be in no rush to get this scrum completed.
However, Hassell-Collins fires a chip over the top only for Van Zyl to take it in his stride. Mark McCall’s side are closing in on victory at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
04:52 PM BST
75 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
In the closing stages at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. Perhaps, Saracens most important five minutes of their season so far.
However, they overthrow a lineout from the five-metre line and the hosts manage to escape and win a lineout of their own in Saracens’ territory.
04:46 PM BST
71 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
Elliot Daly misses the chance to extend the lead for Saracens with a missed penalty. Less than ten minutes to play at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
04:44 PM BST
69 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
Leicester Tigers veteran Ben Youngs takes the field for Van Poortvliet, while Willis makes way for Christie for Saracens.
04:40 PM BST
66 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
This game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road is crazy! Henderson charges down Van Zyl’s box-kick to stroll over for a try. However, the forward is deemed offside by the TMO and began his run before the scrum-half picks up the ball.
A huge let off for the visitors!
04:36 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29 (Dan)
Such a poor throw from Montaya and Itoje disrupts the line-out – the ball sails right into Dan’s hands and he dives over with ease to secure a bonus point for the visitors. Substitute Fergus Burke adds the extras for the visitors.
04:33 PM BST
61 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 22
What a tackle from Montoya as he dives over and steals Saracens ball to relive pressure. The Argentine has been phenomenal at the ruck this afternoon.
04:30 PM BST
58 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 22
A huge scrum from Saracens in their five-metre line. Rhys Carre is getting a huge roar at Mattioli Woods Welford Road for his efforts.
Meanwhile, Michael Cheika makes his first change of the game – Kata is replaced by Perese.
04:25 PM BST
55 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 22
Leicester Tigers have started this second half well. Pollard finds Radwan on the wing with a brilliant cross-field kick, which the winger takes superbly!
He is able to shrug off several Saracens defenders as Pollard makes a break and so does Hassell-Collins. However, Saracens turn it over but knock it on and the hosts are rewarded with a scrum.
04:23 PM BST
52 min: Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 22
Mark McCall rings in the changes as Jamie George, Hugh Tizard and Juan Martin Gonzalez are replaced by Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe and Ben Earl.
04:16 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 22 (Hall)
What a response from Saracens and debutant Angus Hall produces a stunning finish to score for the visitors. Poor defending from Freddie Steward meant there was huge space for the Saracens winger but his finish was remarkable!
Lozowski’s effort drifts just wide of the post and we are level at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
04:11 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 17 (Liebenberg)
What a start to the second half for Leicester Tigers, as Liebenberg gets his second try of the game. Ball turned over deep in Saracens territory and it has swung left – Liebenberg beats the cover defence with a show and go.
Pollard adds the extras for the hosts and they take the lead for the first time this afternoon.
04:07 PM BST
41 min: Leicester Tigers 15 Saracens 17
The second half gets underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, with Handre Pollard kicking off proceedings going from left to right.
04:03 PM BST
Half-time: Leicester Tigers 15 Saracens 17
The visitors dominated the opening 15 minutes of the game, scoring two tries to make it 0-14 as Leicester Tigers struggled to find any rhythm.However, the hosts brought it back in the middle of the first-half, with Freddie Steward scoring and then Liebenberg powering over to cut the Saracens lead to two points.
03:54 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 15 Saracens 17 (Liebenberg)
What a stop from Tompkins to keep Tigers from scoring off the maul but the hosts are clever and pivot to the other side. Liebenberg is straight over the line for the hosts to a huge roar at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
However, Pollard misses the conversion and Saracens hold a slim two-point lead at half-time.
03:50 PM BST
37 min: Leicester Tigers 10 Saracens 17
This is a very weird call from Mark McCall just before half-time, as Mawi leaves the pitch for Carre to come on.
03:47 PM BST
34 min: Leicester Tigers 10 Saracens 17
Lozowski makes up for his earlier penalty miss and he fires a drop goal to extend Saracens’ lead to seven at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
03:44 PM BST
31 min: Leicester Tigers 10 Saracens 14
A huge scrum from the Saracens pack to win a penalty and they have a shot at goal. However, Alex Lozowski’s effort drifts wide. Their kicking percentage has been a real issue this season – with no Owen Farrell to call upon.
03:39 PM BST
28 min: Leicester Tigers 10 Saracens 14
Handre Pollard decides to make use of the momentum that Leicester Tigers have been building and he slots a drop goal for an easy three points for the hosts.
03:37 PM BST
25 min: Leicester Tigers 7 Saracens 14
Yet again, Tom Willis is involved in the action. A huge turnover from No 8 as the hosts get back into the Saracens 22.
Then, Montaya and Pollard produce two bits of magic. Montaya makes a brilliant turnover from just outside the 22 and Pollard produces a sublime kick for a 50-22 and a lineout for the hosts.
There is a definite swing of momentum and the hosts are currently on top.
03:32 PM BST
22 min: Leicester Tigers 7 Saracens 14
Solomone Kata might just be producing the worst 20 minutes of rugby I can remember seeing from anyone. So far his rap sheet includes a leading forearm that could easily have been a yellow card, conceding a penalty for going off his feet, being held up by Tom Willis and then botching not one but two near certain tries with really poor offloads. The centre has got a little under an hour to redeem himself.
03:29 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 7 Saracens 14 (Steward)
Leicester Tigers finally get their reward after sustained pressure. It was a brilliant pass from Van Poortvliet to Woodward who shrugs of several defenders and the centre slips it to Steward who finally get the hosts on the board.
Pollard converts to make the score 7-14.
03:26 PM BST
16 min: Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 14
Leicester Tigers are finding some rhythm now, as Saracens are scrambling in defence. The hosts were looking to force their way over from close range. But an unbelievable tackle from Tom Willis has stopped that. He holds the ball up over the line, they kick away from the drop-out and Tigers still remain scoreless.
03:23 PM BST
14 min: Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 14
On the weekend of the Hong Kong sevens, this game has began in a similar harum scarum style with Leicester turning over the ball three times in the away 22 while Saracens produced more offloads in a single attack than they probably did in an entire season in the days of Brendan Venter.
This resulted in Jamie George going over for the opening try before Juan Martin Gonzalez finished under the posts following a storming run by Theo McFarland.
Given that Mark McCall decided to prioritise this game ahead of the Champions Cup last 16 match against Toulon next week.Saracens simply have to win, so far they are well on their way.
03:20 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 14 (Gonzalez)
It is excellent play from Saracens again! As Theo McFarland makes a huge carry down the right-hand side and the visitors move it infield and Juan Martin Gonzalez strides under the posts to score for the visitors.
Alex Lozowski adds the extras to make the score 0-14. It has been all Saracens so far at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
03:16 PM BST
7 min: Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 7
Leicester Tigers get their first attacking opportunity of the match.
Handre Pollard fires a sublime kick into Saracens’ 22 from a penalty, but the lineout move does not pay off as Kata drops the ball in the face of the vistiors’ backline.
They force a penalty at the scrum and Leicester Tigers are back at the lineout from five metres out.
03:11 PM BST
TRY! Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 7 (George)
A brilliant start for Saracens, who the keep the ball alive in the 22. The visitors do well to look after it as Leicester Tigers scramble to cover the holes that Saracens are creating but Jamie George burrows it over the line.
Alex Lozowski adds the extras.
03:09 PM BST
2 min: Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 0
We are barely a minute into the action and we have a break in play. It is a nightmare start for former Leicester Tiger Fraser Balmain, who has picked up an injury in a tackle and is being attended to.
Italy’s Marco Riccioni comes on in his place.
03:02 PM BST
1 min: Leicester Tigers 0 Saracens 0
We are underway at Mattioli Woods Welford Road with Saracens getting us underway, kicking from right to left in this opening period.
Luke Pearce is the referee this afternoon.
02:57 PM BST
Mark McCall speaks to TNT Sports
Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is hoping for an improved performance, as he admitted his side have not spent any time talking about potentially missing the top four.
We haven’t really talked about that or thought about it. We were so poor last weekend, we just want to turn the performance around.
We’re gonna have to fight and scrap for everything today, this is a hard place to come and we have to get the best out of each other, especially in the tough moments, and play with a level of intensity we were nowhere near last week.
He added that the focus is solely on the league, and will even be resting key players against Toulon next week.
They’re resting next week, yeah. We took that decision during the Six Nations to be honest, it doesn’t look like a very good decision last week, hopefully it’ll be a better decision today.
02:55 PM BST
Kick-off is approaching
The players have come striding out of the tunnel onto the pitch at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in front of a packed crowd and kick-off is five minutes away.
02:54 PM BST
Those teams in full
Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Kata, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya, Heyes, Henderson, Wells, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.
Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Cole, Joussain, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Peres
Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Hall; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, George, Balmain, Itoje, Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Willis.
Replacements: Dan, Carre, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Onyeama-Christie, Earl, Simpson, Goode
02:52 PM BST
Cheika: Home advantage is a key factor
Leicester Tigers head coach Michael Cheika is looking for home advantage to take his side into the Premiership play-offs.
I have coached at grounds all over the world and ours is fantastic. You have the people, the intensity of the support and the way the ground is set up. Fans are so close to you in the coaching box that I have been offered biscuits and tea.
We have to make sure in those four matches that we get the fans into the game. The Premiership is close as a competition and there is a lot of heat from everywhere.
You have to be on your game every time which makes it an exciting league. We cannot think any further ahead than Saracens. Look after what you can today and it will make tomorrow better.
02:48 PM BST
‘A must win game for Saracens’
Danny Care, who is part of TNT’s coverage at Mattioli Woods Welford Road has given some insight into the minds of the Saracens players ahead of this crucial match in the Gallagher Premiership.
02:43 PM BST
This weekend’s fixtures in round 13 of Gallagher Premiership
Friday March 28
Saturday March 29
Sunday March 30
02:40 PM BST
Saracens team news
For the visitors, it is a first start for winger Angus Hall, and prop Fraser Balmain comes in to start against his former club.
Saracens: Daly; Elliott, Lozowski, Tompkins, Hall; Burke, Van Zyl; Mawi, George, Balmain, Itoje, Tizard, McFarland, Gonzalez, Willis.
Replacements: Dan, Carre, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Onyeama-Christie, Earl, Simpson, Goode
02:38 PM BST
Leicester Tigers team news
One late change to the hosts starting XV, Harry Wells has been called up into the starting side to partner Cameron Henderon in the second row.
England international Ollie Chessum has dropped out of the matchday squad and Come Joussain has been added to the bench.
Terrible news for the hosts but great news for Saracens.
Leicester: Steward; Radwan, Kata, Woodward, Hassell-Collins; Pollard, Van Poortvliet; Smith, Montoya, Heyes, Henderson, Wells, Liebenberg, Reffell, Cracknell.
Replacements: Clare, Whitcombe, Cole, Joussain, Ilione, Youngs, Shillcock, Perese.
02:29 PM BST
Preview: Saracens have a point to prove
Good afternoon and welcome to live coverage of Leicester Tigers v Saracens in round 13 of the Gallagher Premiership.
Tigers head into the fixture looking to continue their momentum after a memorable 33-0 win at Northampton Saints last weekend.
Meanwhile, Saracens have a point to prove after going down 23-12 against Harlequins in The Showdown. They lost the match despite starting England internationals Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Tom Willis and Elliot Daly, with the quartet all named to begin the match this afternoon.
The north London club are currently ninth in the Premiership table with six matches to play, but a victory against Leicester could move them up to fourth if other results go their way.
However, this has not been a happy hunting ground in recent times for the Saracens who have lost on each of their last three trips to Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
In terms of team news, the hosts welcome back England international Ollie Chessum, who lines up in the second row for his first appearance since October in Tigers’ only change to their starting line-up.
Angus Hall makes his first Premiership start for Saracens, with the 19-year-old replacing Rotimi Segun. Fraser Balmain comes into the front row in Mark McCall’s second alteration to the side beaten at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend.
Kick-off is at 3pm.
