Leicester show grit to hold off stirring Saracens fightback

Leicester dug deep to withstand a Saracens fightback and register their first victory at StoneX Stadium since 2018 with a 32-29 win that underlined their Gallagher Premiership title credentials.

The Tigers had built a 15-point cushion when Handre Pollard rifled over a penalty heading into the final quarter, but Saracens responded magnificently with tries by Juan Martin Gonzalez and James Hadfield.

It left them trailing just 32-29 and with the wind their sails, but Leicester were able to secure field position and spent the closing minutes in enemy territory, preventing any further threats to their lead.

Saracens lost fly-half Alex Goode and prop Marco Riccioni to injury in the warm-up, but the disruption did not stop them from contributing to another pulsating clash in a Premiership that has thrilled in its opening six rounds.

Goode’s thigh problem, plus injuries to Fergus Burke and Louie Johnson, meant that short-term signing Tim Swiel was pressed straight into action and his debut appeared to be well timed as Saracens made a powerful start.

Tom Willis was a notable exclusion from England’s autumn squad and the number eight showed what Steve Borthwick was missing by using his strength to set up the opening try for Nick Tompkins.

Willis’ power at close quarters and ability to find Tompkins out of the tackle made the score possible, but Leicester hit back immediately when Joseph Woodward grubbered for Ollie Hassell-Collins to gather and score.

The frantic pace continued with tries arriving at both ends, Anthony Watson’s athleticism in the air and determined running the prelude to Tigers wing Izaia Perese crossing before a superb dummy and break by Gonzalez sent Swiel over.

Gonzalez’s dynamic intervention was the highlight of a high-octane opening half-hour that Saracens edged 15-14, although they would have taken note of Leicester’s ability to strike at speed.

Swiel landed a penalty as the tempo slowed, but the Tigers ended the half by attacking through their line-out maul and were rewarded with a penalty try given when Alec Clarey pulled it down, earning him a yellow card.

By using the same weapon six minutes after the break, Leicester motored 27-17, ahead with Julian Montoya touching down.

Saracens had been made to pay for Clarey’s spell in the sin-bin and a chaotic period followed with each side having tries ruled out by the TMO.

Hugh Tizard had dropped the ball over the line in a costly error by the home side and, having been denied by scrambling defence from Ben Youngs, they pounced in the 66th minute.

Willis bounced off two tacklers, surged forwards and, having been stopped just short of the line, Gonzalez arrived to finish.

Saracens’ tails were up, and although they still trailed by 10 points, the tide was turning – a point underlined when Hadfield edged over after repeated short-range carries from his pack.

But they could not escape the Tigers’ grip in the closing stages, and they were forced to settle for two losing bonus points.