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Saracens’ Angus Hall scores the try that won the game at Mattioli Woods Welford Road - PA/David Davies
Leicester Tigers 22 Saracens 29
A sublime individual finish by teenager Angus Hall helped Saracens squeeze past Leicester at Welford Road to remain firmly in the Premiership play-off hunt.
After their surprise loss at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last week, Saracens could not afford to lose further ground in a tightly contested race for the top four. While their early 12-0 lead was wiped out by Leicester, tries from Hall who finished one handed in the corner on his first start for Saracens, and Theo Dan, was enough to earn maximum points.
The win lifts Saracens to sixth level with Sale in fifth and two points behind Leicester, who remain in third place. Saracens must now rest England captain Maro Itoje and No 8 Tom Willis who played in every Six Nations game for their Champions Cup last 16 away tie to Toulon.
For the second week running, Saracens jumped out to a two-try lead, even after losing their tighthead prop Fraser Balmain to injury after just 40 seconds. Tom Willis created a turnover inside the Leicester 22 after leading a counterruck and some lovely handling from Saracens, Jamie George burrowed over. Their second try owed to a barnstorming run down the right wing from Theo McFarland before his back-row partner Juan Martin Gonzalez picked a brilliant cutting line to go over.
Leicester had butchered numerous opportunities in the opening period with Solomone Kata guilty of twice throwing wild offloads in promising attacking positions. Yet eventually the home side made their pressure pay as Jack van Poortvliet combined with centre Joseph Woodward to put Freddie Stewart over in the corner. Handre Pollard converted and then added a drop goal.
That rarest of species soon had a second sighting as Alex Lozowski put one over in front of the posts but right before halftime Leicester won a penalty which they kicked to the corner. Julian Montoya was brought down just short but Hanro Liebenberg picked up and plunged over. Pollard could not convert to leave Leicester 17-15 down at halftime.
Liebenberg soon had Leicester in front in the second half, Woodward again providing the scoring pass and the back row used the presence of Ollie Hassell-Collins outside him to go over untouched. Yet that advantage was shortlived before Saracens drew level at 22-22 with an outrageous finish by Hall.
There was still lots of work to do when Elliot Daly fizzed a flat mispass to him on the left wing with Adam Radwan, one of the fastest players in the English game, coming across to cover. Hall took flight and grounded the ball with one hand while most of his body was past the touchline.
Saracens’ winning score was more prosaic as Theo Dan pounced on Julian Montoya’s poor lineout throw from 5 metres out to keep the North London club firmly in the title hunt.
05:22 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.
05:04 PM BST
Maro Itoje speaks to TNT Sports
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 the ball 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 Saracens 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 the 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.
He added that the focus is solely on the league, and will even be resting key players against Toulon next week.
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.
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
- Exeter Chiefs 17 Newcastle Falcons 15
- Bath Rugby 47 Harlequins 28
- Gloucester Rugby 53 Bristol Bears 28
Sunday March 30
- Leicester Tigers v Saracens, Mattioli Woods Welford Road, 3pm
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.
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