Leicester Tigers 26-17 Northampton Saints: Hosts hold off Saints in pulsating Gallagher Premiership Rugby encounter
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 18/11/2023 at 18:51 GMT
It proved to be an enthralling Gallagher Premiership Rugby encounter at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium as Leicester Tigers produced a fine performance to overcome Northampton Saints. Leicester led for much of the game, but it was never entirely comfortable for the Tigers, despite the prolific boot of Handre Pollard. The try of the game undoubtedly came from Northampton's Sam Matavesi.
Handre Pollard of Leicester Tigers kicks a penalty during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
Leicester Tigers landed a crushing victory over Northampton Saints, the chasm between the bitter East Midlands rivals wider than the 26-17 result on Gallagher Premiership Rugby 'Derby Weekend'.
Tries from Springbok duo Francois van Wyk and Hanro Liebenberg complemented 16 points from the boot of Handre Pollard. Saints snatched two tries, the pick of them from Sam Matavesi late on.
Leicester’s loose forwards dominated the encounter with Tommy Reffell a standout on his return to the starting XV, while Northampton could never get their flowing attack out of first gear at a rampant Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
It’s exactly the result Tigers head coach Dan McKellar needed as his side entered the game with just one Gallagher Premiership Rugby win all season, but with their World Cup stars returning, the Australian will hope it can be a springboard for a resurgence before the New Year.
Northampton will be frustrated as they cut Leicester open on several occasions, as fly-half starlet Fin Smith remained committed to playing the style that has brought Saints success so far in the Gallagher Premiership, but scoring opportunities were few and far between.
Turnovers crippled the visitors as Reffell looked unstoppable for much of the game, and two yellow cards combined with a string of penalties in the second half proved too much for Northampton to overcome.
Talking point: Pollard’s Tigers strangle Saints
Saints attempted to play the attacking rugby that makes them one of the more eye-catching team in the Gallagher Premiership, but Leicester gave their rivals no room to breathe.
Reffell was terrific all day, but Pollard proved equally problematic, pumping a series of kicks at a nervy Saints backfield that never looked fully in control.
George Furbank’s early drop under no pressure set the tone for the game, Northampton lost the first battle for possession and appeared to never recover while Leicester didn't looked ragged even when their line was breached.
The fly-half battle between a two-time World Cup winner and the brightest new thing in the Premiership went decisively the way of the Springbok, as Pollard made the right decision every time to reward his pack’s work, while Smith was unable to make up for Saints’ shortcomings.
Northampton managed more metres and clean breaks than their opponents, but any team that concedes 17 turnovers and 20 penalties is rarely going to be competitive, and if anything, the nine-point margin of victory flattered the visitors.
Player of the match: Tommy Reffell
Reffell could have caused a hurricane at midday on Friday, such was the sigh of relief that went up in Leicester when he was announced in the starting squad for the derby.
He was a menace to Northampton all day long and they never effectively adjusted to the Welshman, who finished the day with four turnovers and would have had one more but for a harsh penalty.
Joe Heyes also shone in the scrum, pulverising the experienced Alex Waller to ensure Leicester maintained a strong foundation for most of the game, while Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese’s physicality in defence allowed Reffell to be so destructive.
Player ratings
Leicester Tigers: Freddie Steward 7, Josh Bassett 7, Guy Porter 7, Solomone Kata 7, Ollie Hassell-Collins 7, Handre Pollard 8, Ben Youngs 6, James Cronin 7, Charlie Clare 7, Joe Heyes 8, Cameron Henderson 7, Ollie Chessum 8, Hanro Liebenberg 8, Tommy Reffell 9, Jasper Wiese 8.
Replacements: Archie Vanes 6, Francois van Wyk 6, Dan Cole 6, Sam Carter 6, Matt Rogerson 8, Tom Whiteley 7, Jamie Shillcock 6
Northampton Saints: George Furbank 7, George Hendy 6, Tommy Freeman 7, Fraser Dingwall 6, James Ramm 5, Fin Smith 7, Alex Mitchell 6, Alex Waller 4, Curtis Langdon 5, Trevor Davison 5, Alex Moon, Chunya Munga 5, Alex Coles 5, Tom Pearson 6, Lewis Ludlam, 6
Replacements: Sam Matavesi 6, Ethan Waller 5, Elliot Millar Mills 5, Tom Lockett 6, Henry Pollock 7, Tom James 6, Rory Hutchinson 7, Ollie Sleightholme 6
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/11/18/3828151-77795948-2560-1440.jpg)
Handre Pollard of Leicester Tigers kicks the ball upfield during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints at Mattioli Woods Welford Road Stadium on November 18, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
Match highlights
YELLOW CARD
Sam Matavesi heads to the bin for side entry, and Leicester call the scrum as home hero Dan Cole rumbles onto the field.
TRY! LEICESTER 19-3 NORTHAMPTON
Northampton couldn't hold out forever, they survived the scrum but two carries later it's the former Saint Francois van Wyk who crashes through George Furbank to score. Pollard slots the easy conversion.
TRY! LEICESTER 19-10 NORTHAMPTON
That was unexpected! Saints have barely had any ball in the opposition 22 but they make it count here, Freeman made a big carry and just got spun away from the line, before Furbank sells the blitzing Bassett with a dummy and scores.
THE MYSTERY OF THE YELLOW CARD
The Wallers were just momentarily swapped causing plenty of confusion in the commentary box. It's been that kind of game, as it turns out replacement Ethan Waller was also yellow-carded but there's been so much going on in the last 10 minutes - he's back on the field now.
TRY! LEICESTER 26-10 NORTHAMPTON
Saints again stop Tigers with a penalty, but Liebenberg taps it quickly and dives over for the try that ends this contest.
TRY! LEICESTER 26-17 NORTHAMPTON
Fans have been spoiled inside Mattioli Woods Welford Road today and Saints provide one more cracker, going the length of the field before Sam Matavesi runs over untouched. Definitely one to check out on the highlights - if not then you'll see it in the Try of the Season competition in May!
Key stats
This was Ben Young’s 28th appearance in the East Midlands derby - more than any player in history for either side.
Northampton missed out on the chance for back-to-back wins in Leicester for the first time since 2019.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article