Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints LIVE: Tigers clinch famous derby win over sorry Saints

Leicester Tigers landed a crushing victory over a sorry Northampton Saints side, the chasm between the bitter East Midlands rivals much 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 barely strung any phases together in attack but still snatched two tries.

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 hit straight back after Van Wyk's opening score.

And after that bonus show at the end it's still no bonus points for Saints, Leicester get a thoroughly deserved derby win.

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 ran over untouched.

It was the former Saint who put Leicester ahead.

Alex Coles was over but it's been chalked off for obstruction by Ludlam.

Hutchnison slammed into the advertising hoardings and limps back on looking in trouble. Northampton are on the attack in Leicester territory.

Saints again stopped Tigers with a penalty, but Liebenberg taps it quickly - and almost comically high - and dives over for the try that ends this contest. What a day for Leicester!

Ben Youngs' record-breaking game is over, Tom Whiteley is his replacement as Leicester win their 18th penalty of the game.

Tigers have another 10m lineout and could kill the game here.

The Wallers were just momentarily swapped causing plenty of confusion in the commentary box. It's been that kind of game, 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.

It's the gift that keeps on giving, Bassett is freed on the right flank and just outsprints Freeman before turning Ramm into a speedbump.

However, Hutchinson produces a game-changing cover tackle and turnover, and Saints are just about still in this game.

Forget what's got into Saints, what about this game? Guy Porter had four backs outside him but sold a dummy, butchering the opportunity and Saints can clear.

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What's got into Saints? Furbank makes another break for it before dabbing a brilliantly weighted kick for Pollock. The ball can't quite sit up for a dream debut try for Pollock but Tommy Freeman fathers and dives over to bring Northampton within four.

Or does it? Karl Dickson is convinced Pollock touched it forward and won't even go to the TMO to check, Saints can't believe it and concede a scrum penalty, it remains 19-10.

That was unexpected! Saints have barely had any ball in the opposition 22 but they make it count here, Freeman had a bombastic carry and just got spun away from the line, before Freeman sells the blitzing Bassett with a dummy and scores.

With Smith off, he converts it too. GAME ON!!!

The visitors are right back into Leicester's 22 after a silly penalty, this game's not done yet.

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.

Reffell beat Mitchell to a bouncing ball from the scrum but his dive was just short. Northampton send Hutchinson on for Smith and swap the Wallers at loosehead, Ethan for Alex.

TMO Hamish Smales has denied Leicester two tries, Tommy Reffell thinks he's scored but it looks like a hat-trick of disappointment.