LEICESTER ROLL BACK THE YEARS

Richards’ men whitewashed by Tigers and he admits it’s like the old days at Welford Road

LEICESTER legend Dean Richards saw his Newcastle side mauled by rampant Tigers – and said it felt just like old times at Welford Road.

The home side extended their unbeaten season to 15 games in all competitions and moved nine points clear at the top of the Premiership.

Harry Potter conjured a last-gasp try to earn their 50th point of a league campaign which already, after just 11 games, has surpassed two of their last three seasons.

“They’re on a roll, aren’t they,” said Richards (below), who made 314 appearances during 15 glory-filled years at Leicester.

“It’s getting back to the old days – stick it up your jumper and score tries.

“There’s no quarter given by them. They’re a good, well-drilled side. They play very much the Eddie Jones style, which is kick everything and have a really good kick chase. It’s effective and it’s what the Leicester crowd will love.”

Tigers’ four-try shutout was all the more impressive for the fact there is Covid in their camp and they are playing whilst under investigation for potential salary cap breaches.

The allegations are historic, dating back to a period before Steve Borthwick took charge last year, but have the potential to undo all the good work being done by him and his players.

Borthwick said: “We addressed it at the start of the week, told the players the information we had and got on with what we needed to get on with.

“Everything is being investigated and whatever will be, will be.

“I can’t do anything about it so I don’t fear everything being taken away.”

Borthwick admits there was a period when “the team and the club was mismanaged”, but added: “There are plenty of things that keep me awake at night, but not that.

“I will concentrate on what I can do something about, which is make this team get even better.”

That is a frightening prospect for Tigers’ rivals given they have an 18-point cushion over fifth place and yesterday, with George Ford and Ben Youngs in imperious form, adapted superbly to filthy conditions.

Tries by Dan Kelly and Matt Scott had them 17 points up at the break. George Martin added a third (main pic, above), before a pin-point kick by Freddie Burns found Potter right at the death.

LEICESTER - Tries: Kelly,

Scott, Martin, Potter. Cons:

Ford 3, Burns. Ford.