PLAYER RATINGS v CONNACHT

ZACK HENRY: A mix of the good and the bad from the versatile back. Put his first kick out on the full but responded with a lovely diagonal touch finder. Overcommitted on the short side which allowed Sean O’Brien to progress before putting Kieran Marmion in for the game’s first try. Pulled his first kick at goal wide but then managed to convert Porter’s effort from a more difficult angle. Was brave to stop the rampaging Boyle after he broke from the base of a ruck on halfway but was found a little wanting when it came to denying Connacht at the start of the second period. 6.5/10

HARRY POTTER: After a quiet opening 30 minutes the Australian burst into life with a beautiful offload to Henry for Tigers’ fourth try and then showed an excellent appetite for defence to snapple O’Brien at his ankles. Unfortunate to see one daring chip ahead go out on the full and missed a couple of tackles. 7/10

MATIAS MORONI: Defensive read saw Carty take his eyes off the ball allowing Porter to pounce, but the Argentinian didn’t rest-up, he chased Porter’s shadow before finishing in the corner for his first Tigers try. His intelligence in defence is matched by his speed, seemingly unnerving opponents. 8/10

MATT SCOTT: Excellent early drift defence to stop John Porch and then pressurised Alex Wootton to crab his run before pouncing to turn the ball over for Porter’s try. Incisive lineout run is becoming a trademark that opponents are struggling to cope with and was tidy in defence. 7.5/10

GUY PORTER: His first big action of the game was to run in his first try from the club. It took some finishing after backing himself to run through an unguarded ruck. Managed 135 metres with ball in hand in the first half but had precious few opportunities in the second. 8/10

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS: A first start in 10 games was a strong one, with his brilliant kick causing havoc in the defence which led to Henry’s try.Did his fair share of work sweeping in the backfield and kicked well from hand, forcing Connacht to go from deep. A beautiful late run was unfortunately held up, but Wiese scored from the resulting scrum. 7.5/10

BEN YOUNGS: Identified space behind the Connacht defence with a sublime touch finder early on. Was also alert and brave to stop Connacht from scoring a try in the corner in first-half stoppage time and was close to turning over the ball on a couple of occasions shortly afterwards. Showed his eye for a break remains when Tigers’ lead was just two points, which led to Clare’s second of the evening and proved to be the England scrumhalf’s final action of the match. 8/10

LUAN DE BRUIN: A couple of early scrums saw the South African slip, with the second one being penalised.

But he grew into the setpiece and was also in double figures for tackles. 7/10

CHARLIE CLARE: Scored his fourth try of the season from a rolling maul but then spent 10 minutes in for a late, no arms tackle. Fortunately, it wasn’t a costly yellow as Tigers managed 12 unanswered points. The hooker returned with his senses sharp to stop Marmion with a blindside snipe close to the line in the closing minutes of the first half. He grabbed his second try of the game with 13 minutes to go from another rolling maul and also made 15 tackles. 8/10

JOE HEYES: Conceded an early scrum penalty before tidying up that area of his game. Weighed in with 10 tackles before being replaced seven minutes after the break. 7/10

CAMERON HENDERSON: Was close to pulling down O’Brien in the break for Connacht’s first try, as it wasn’t his man. Excellent lineout steal to deny Connacht from close to the Tigers’ line was almost immediately followed by some sleepy play at the base of a ruck which allowed Boyle to pounce. Unfortunate not to score his fourth Tigers try when a close-range drive was ruled held up. Excellent in the lineout and made 20 tackles. 8/10

TOMAS LAVANINI: The second of two early carries ended with a spill. Responded by getting his hands on the ball to link up play as Tigers attacked. Fortunate to get away with just a penalty concession for a first-half deliberate knock-on when Tigers led by four. 6/10

GEORGE MARTIN: Early defensive moments were hugely physical, one leading to a HIA for Porch. Overeagerness in defence also saw him go offside in Connacht’s 22. But weighed in with 22 tackles and made plenty of hard yards too. 8/10

LUKE WALLACE: Shuddering early hit on Boyle and provided some nice early touches with ball in hand. Was caught upright in a tackle close to his own line which led to three points from the tee. Made 15 tackles without missing one. 7/10

JASPER WIESE: Thunderous carry from a scrum close to his own line set the tone as did his hit shortly after Connacht’s second try after the break. Scored his fourth try in his tenth Tigers outing with a late run from the base of a scrum. 8/10

SUBSTITUTES

NIC DOLLY: N/A

JAMES WHITCOMBE: N/A

WILL HURD: 6/10

HARRY WELLS: 7/10

TOMMY REFFELL: 6/10

BEN WHITE: 6/10

DAN KELLY: 6/10

FREDDIE STEWARD: 6/10