Reffell wins breakdown battle to get Tigers rolling
GEORGE Ford’s trusty boot ensured Leicester ended a three-game losing run in the Premiership.
Eight points from Ford and a try from David Williams doomed Irish to their fifth defeat in a row.
Leicester director of rugby Geordan Murphy said: “Somebody said to me coming off that the game wasn’t much of a spectacle but I actually enjoyed it.
“I’m happy with the win but especially pleased with the step up in intensity against Irish, who picked a very strong side and there were some hefty collisions out there.
“We lost two second rows through injury and another to a yellow card so we had back-rowers at lock and that challenged our primary source of possession.”
Leicester enjoyed firsthalf supremacy of the set-piece, particularly at scrums, and 21-year-old Welshman Tommy Reffell led the Tigers’ breakdown charge earning Ford chances at goal.
Despite threatening breaks by Curtis Rona and Ollie Hassell-Collins, Leicester’s first-half defence held firm and they led through a try from Williams.
Tom Youngs’ first-half burrow over was denied, while the 21st 7lb wing Nadolo had a try ruled out and an offside call denied Reffell’s dive at the corner.
Nadolo shifted to No.8 after Callum Green was sinbinned, and London Irish turned up the pressure with the extra man. Irish had been outmuscled in the opening 40 but enjoyed a little more success in the second period with an improved scrum display and they finally got their reward when the sniping Meehan finished off repeated assaults on the Tigers’ line – but Leicester held on for their first victory since March.
Nadolo said: “It’s been six months since my last game – I was blowing seagulls! I was proud to play 80 minutes.”
London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “It was another step-up for us but I’m frustrated that we failed to take our opportunities.
“In the first half, they bossed us at the breakdown and we had a 6-1 penalty count against us and we will have to work on that area as it’s all down to the interpretation of the referee. However, Leicester were very disciplined.”