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Leicester player ratings vs Saracens | Gallagher Premiership final
By Ian Cameron
Leicester player ratings: It’s been a minute, but Steve Borthwick’s Tigers came into this final bidding to win the Premiership title for the ninth time in their history.
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Tigers led the regular season from start to finish, while favourites Saracens were looking to complete their redemption story having fought back from relegation for repeated salary cap breaches.
At the heart of the contest was the fly-half battle between George Ford and Owen Farrell, but in the end it will Freddie Burns that everyone will be talking about.
15 FREDDIE STEWARD – 8
The England fullback came into this fixture is rare form, having scored a try in each of his last five Premiership run outs. His kicking hit a bum note in the opening exchanges, not the only Tiger to lack accuracy in that area of the game. Looked sublime with ball in hand, his huge frame making him a real problem to down.
14 CHRIS ASHTON – 7
A back division reshuffle accomodated Ashton, with Borthwick maybe looking to utilise the former Saracens star’s inside knowledge of his former team. Showed his trademark intelligence and posed a persistent threat when near the ball.
What scenes! #GallagherPremFinal pic.twitter.com/tNR99B4hql
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 18, 2022
13 MATÍAS MORONI – 6
With the men in green and red pursuing a kick contest strategy, the Argentinian didn’t see much of the ball for large segments of the game.
12 GUY PORTER – 7.5
Another midfielder whose contributions were relatively limited in the first half. Played himself into the second with some big moments with ball in hand.
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11 HARRY POTTER – 7
One the many Leicester players that looked a little spooked early doors. Kept busy, not allowing a few turnovers to put him off. Defensively sound.
10 GEORGE FORD – 5
Sale bound Ford was top points scorer this season’s Premiership but didn’t get to add to his haul after missing a shot at goal before twisting his ankle just 20 minutes in. Not how he wanted to finish his time at the club.
9 RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH – 8
The 39-year-old was on box kicking duty for much of the first half, a tactic Leicester were commited to. Put his insider knowledge to good use when charigng down former teammate Owen Farrell in the 34th minute. His short ball a few minutes later for Tigers’ second try was superb.
1 ELLIS GENGE (C) – 7.5
At the frontline of the midlanders physical effort, punching holes in Saracens defence at short range. Just about survived the Koch at scrumtime. Removed after 65 minutes, bringing to an end a six season stint at Leicester, a moment that seemed to go relatively unnoticed by the Leicester faithful in the heat of the moment.
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Saracens are given a lifeline another yellow card #saracens #GallagherPremFinal pic.twitter.com/cI5Nu6FpMw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) June 18, 2022
2 JULIÁN MONTOYA – 7
Took a big shot to chops from Aled Davies. Mutliple efforts on both sides of the ball, but especially in defence. Went off for a HIA and didn’t return.
3 DAN COLE – 5
Gave away a telling penalty with Leicester parked on Sarries 5 metre line but stayed in the fight, the old bull getting a raptuous reception when leaving the field.
4 OLLIE CHESSUM – 7
One of Leicester’s best forward carriers in the initials stages, it was back to piano shifting in the latter ones.
5 CALUM GREEN – 6
Blood and guts stuff from Green, who was in the thick of it until being replaced after 62 minutes. Had emptied himself.
6 HANRO LIEBENBERG – 8.5
The big backrow showed good strength to power over for the final’s first try from close range to settle Leicester’s nerves. One of the few players to slow down a rampant Billy Vunipola.
7 TOMMY REFFELL – 7.5
Tigers’ turnover king struck again just after halftime. Had a ding dong battle with Ben Earl before coming off after 62 minutes.
8 JASPER WIESE – 8
Picked up and carried backward by messrs Farrell and Tompkins in the 18th minute. Saracens did well to manage him but he wouldn’t take no for an answer for Leicester second try. Like the Terminator, he just won’t stop.
REPLACEMENTS
16 CHARLIE CLARE – 6
Did a job for Bortwick when coming on for an apparently concussed Montoya.
17 NEPHI LEATIGAGA – 6
Tigers’ heavyweight super sub this season, Leatigaga replaced Genge after 65 minutes. Added his 23 odd stone to proceedings.
18 JOE HEYES – 7
Took over from Cole 10 minutes into the second half and played his part in creating a meat wall that Saracens ulitmately couldn’t surmount.
19 HARRY WELLS – 6
Tigers’ ‘winniest’ player wth 21 wins this season from 24 games, Wells had to make do with a spot on the bench, before coming on for Green as the final quarter beckoned.
20 GEORGE MARTIN – 7
Came into the heat of battle and got stuck in.
21 BEN YOUNGS – 7
The England man brought some much needed go forward when he came on.
22 FREDDIE BURNS – 8.5
Took over the reins after Ford’s early exit and it coincided with an upswing in their fortunes. Cometh the hour, cometh the man: Burns keeping his cool to slot the championship dropgoal in the 79th minute. That’s why tens earns the big bucks and Burns wasn’t found wanting.
23 MATT SCOTT – 6
Possibly unlucky that his shoulder stop on Vunipola caught picked up by the cameras. It allowed Saracens to level the score and meant they were left to defend with 13 players with four minutes left on the clock.
additional reporting PA
