First try: Alesana Tuilagi
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Leicester outscored Saracens two tries to none to claim a place in the Aviva Premiership Final with a 24-15 win at Welford Road on Saturday.
Tigers will now face Harlequins, who earlier beat Northampton, in the Twickenham final on 26 May.
It was the first game between these two at Welford Road since the visitors' famous 50-25 thrashing of the Tigers in September 2011.
But this match was unsurprisingly an altogether tighter affair with Leicester taking a 13-12 lead at half-time through a converted Alesana Tuilagi touchdown and two George Ford penalties.
Owen Farrell kicked all of Sarries' first-half points, but Leicester edged their way to victory in the second 40 through Steve Mafi's try and two more Ford kicks, despite Farrell briefly cutting the gap.
Toby Flood pulled out before kick-off and Ford came in as his replacement. Julian Salvi was also ruled out and there was an air of uncertainty about Leicester's game early on.
Saracens initially dominated and deservedly went three points in front through the boot of Farrell. The hosts' fly-half levelled the scores before David Strettle crossed the whitewash, only to knock-on over the line. It was to prove costly.
Although the visiting centre added another three-pointer, Leicester took the lead when Ford's beautifully timed pass sent the elder Tuilagi clear.
Despite that setback, the visitors continued to control territory, and Farrell reduced the deficit to one point. The England international added a fourth from the tee, but Ford responded.
Unlike the opening period, the hosts dominated the initial stages of the second half and scored a second touchdown through Mafi, with another move instigated by fly-half Ford.
Ford and Farrell then traded penalties as Leicester led by six points before the home side's number ten sealed the victory with his fourth three-pointer, booking their spot in the final.
The scorers:
For Leicester:
Tries: A Tuilagi, Mafi
Con: Ford
Pens: Ford 4
For Saracens:
Pens: Farrell 5
Leicester: 15 Geordan Murphy (capt), 14 Horacio Agulla, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Anthony Allen, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 Craig Newby, 6 Steve Mafi, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 George Skivington, 3 Dan Cole, 2 George Chuter, 1 Marcos Ayerza.
Replacements: 16 Tom Youngs, 17 Logovi'i Mulipola, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Graham Kitchener, 20 Ben Woods, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 Billy Twelvetrees, 23 Scott Hamilton.
Saracens: 15 Alex Goode, 14 David Strettle, 13 Owen Farrell, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Chris Wyles, 10 Charlie Hodgson, 9 Neil de Kock, 8 Ernst Joubert, 7 Will Fraser, 6 Jackson Wray, 5 Mouritz Botha, 4 Steve Borthwick (capt), 3 Matt Stevens, 2 Schalk Brits, 1 Rhys Gill.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 John Smit, 18 Carlos Nieto, 19 Hugh Vyvyan, 20 George Kruis, 21 Richard Wigglesworth, 22 Adam Powell, 23 James Short.
Referee: Dave Pearson
Comments
Lucasrg says...
What a game!!! one of the best hand-off I ever seen, pure magic!
This Ford kid did also un incredible effort for his age and size. Impressed.
Well done Tigers
Posted 21:49 17th May 2012
lawynd says...
@blametheref - it would be if the only games you ever watch are Saracens. What annoys me is that they have the ability to play a far more open and attacking game, but refuse to.
Also, a technical point from the game that the ESPN team picked up - when Sarries made a front-row injury substitution late on, they chose to bring Matt Stevens back on instead of John Smit, who was named on the bench and is presumably registered as a hooker and a prop. Is there are rule that stipulates that a bench player must be used before a player is brought back on? Because if Smit had gone up against Ayerza, he'd have been murdered.
Posted 14:53 13th May 2012
blametheref says...
Who can say the Premiership is blow par or boring? This final, Leicester v Harlequins is food and drink for any rugby lover and I will definitely be watching, it'll be as hard a match as you'll get anywhere with lots of drama, with top class players on the park too. I think I'll be supporting Quins as a few years ago, at the bloodgate match, I got to meet their supporters at the Cabbage Patch and they are a great bunch, a great day out it was....
Posted 11:38 13th May 2012
davodiablo says...
This game was won by the Leicester loose forwards Mafi , Waldrom and Newby . Saracan's really missed Berger Saul and Kelly . That was the difference for me . No aggression at the breakdown .
I think Leicester might take the final.
Posted 09:30 13th May 2012
TVaddict says...
I thought Ford was brilliant. His place kicking and defence wasn't great, but then for someone of his size and at the age of 19, in a premiership semi final, it wasn't bad. I'm sure those areas of his game will only improve in time and it's great to see a creative fly-half coming up the ranks.
Posted 09:01 13th May 2012
danatthecorner says...
@papachinzo
Next seasons stash. Cotton Traders are out of the kit game so Sale and Leicester will both be wearing Canterbury next season.
Posted 08:40 13th May 2012
papachinzo says...
Is that a special jersey or something ?? I haven't seen it before...
Posted 22:47 12th May 2012
kybone says...
Thank God for that!! The Saraecens borefest is finally over for this year. Im not a Tigers fan but im so glad that Sarries negative tactics and inability to score tries has finally caught up with them. Heres hoping for a great final. I think it will be.
Posted 19:43 12th May 2012