Tigers cap a dominant season with final victory
LEICESTER SARACENS 15 12
LEICESTER won their ninth Gallagher Premiership title by narrowly sinking Saracens in a pulsating final.
Freddie Burns’ drop-goal with 20 seconds of normal time remaining saw the Tigers home.
Saracens’ hopes of completing a stunning rise from salary cap scandal and relegation humiliation to regain domestic silverware were dashed by the snarling Tigers.
Leicester overcame the first-half loss of injured talisman George Ford in his final appearance before joining Sale this summer to end a nine-year wait for title glory.
Tries by their South African backrow forwards Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese during an eight-minute spell in the second quarter underpinned Leicester’s victory.
Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies was off the field for both scores after being sin-binned following a high shoulder-led challenge on Tigers hooker Julian Montoya, although he was arguably fortunate to avoid a red card.
Ford’s replacement Burns added a conversion before his dramatic clincher, while Saracens skipper Owen Farrell kicked three penalties and Elliot Daly one.
But Saracens’ dream of a sixth league crown being secured only 15 months after they were ambushed by Cornish Pirates in Penzance – following demotion to the GKIPA Championship and a £5.36million fine for repeated salary cap breaches – was extinguished.
Leicester only avoided relegation two years ago due to Saracens being punished, yet their revival under head coach Steve Borthwick has been spectacular.
And after finishing top following the regular season, in addition to winning all 12 Premiership home games plus a play-off, they again delivered when it mattered.
Leicester found themselves under immediate pressure, and Farrell kicked a fifth-minute penalty after Liebenberg infringed.
Ford missed a chance to haul Leicester level when he drifted a penalty chance wide, and his Tigers farewell then ended prematurely, limping off after he fell awkwardly.
However, when Davies was yellowcarded for his challenge on Montoya,
Leicester punished their opponents. The backs launched a thrilling move that had Saracens back-pedalling, and Liebenberg went in from close range before Burns converted.
Daly booted a 48-metre penalty, cutting the deficit to 7-6, but then Leicester struck again just before Davies returned, with Wiese scoring after Genge took a quick penalty.
In the second half, Burns missed a long-range penalty before Farrell tied the scores with two of his own.
The Tigers’ Matt Scott was yellowcarded for a high challenge on Billy Vunipola, but Burns struck the vital drop-goal with just seconds left.
Leicester: Steward; Ashton, Moroni, Porter, Potter; Ford, Wigglesworth; Genge, Montoya, Cole, Chessum, Green, Liebenberg, Reffell, Wiese. Replacements: Burns for Ford (24), Cole for Heyes (53), Scott for Moroni (58), Youngs for Wigglesworth (65), Leatigaga for Genge (65), Montoya for Clare (65), Wells for Green (65), Martin for Reffell (65). Scorers – Tries: Liebenberg, Wiese. Cons: Burns.
Drop Goals: Burns.
Saracens: Goode; Malins, Daly, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell, Davies; Mako Vunipola, George, Koch, Itoje, Isiekwe, McFarland, Earl, B Vunipola. Replacements: Lozowski for Maitland (41), Christie for McFarland (61), Van Zyl for Davies (67), Mawi for M Vunipola (67), Taylor for Tomkins (73), Wray for B Vunipola (78). Not Used: Pifeleti, Clarey.
Scorers – Pens: Farrell 3, Daly.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).