Saracens 44 Leicester 17: Sarries on course for Premiership and Champions Cup double

At the Double: Ashton (left) scores a brace as Sarries close in on the title
David Rogers/Getty Images
Chris Jones21 May 2016

Saracens stayed on course for a European Champions Cup and Premiership double by destroying Leicester in a five try performance in their play-off semi-final at Allianz Park.

The only blemish to their day was the rib injury sustained by Owen Farrell in the second half, but Sarries will head to Twickenham for next week’s final as favourites for what will be successive Premiership titles.

Leicester’s midweek rest appeared to have little impact on proceedings as the Champions Cup winners strolled to 31-0 lead at half time. The Tigers would, however, offer a 17-point fightback in the opening ten minutes of the restart after Sarries flanker Will Fraster was put in the sin bin.

However, Sarries rallied and finished much the stronger side to confirm their ranking as England and Europe’s top team, with wings Chris Ashton and Chris Wyles both scored a brace of tries.

Leicester looked to have got off to a decent start as they bust open the Sarries defence in opening moments and

Manu Tuilagi’s disallowed try in the opening moments epitomised a disappointing start for the Tigers, after referee JP Doyle rule it out for Leicester playing the ball on the floor.

Will Fraser grabbed the first of four first half tries for Sarries by taking a pop pass off George Kruis and Farrell kicked his first conversation and was on target when Chris Wyles ran a poor chip through back to score near the posts.

Tuilagi left at this point with his right leg strapped in ice and looking highly unlikely to be available for England against Wales at Twickenham on May 29.

Chris Ashton was the next try scorer with Billy Vunipola bursting away from the scrum and quick hands by Richard Wigglesworth and Alex Goode put the England wing clear and he finished confidently with Farrell kicking the conversion from the touchline.

With the Sarries defence causing all kinds of problems, it was inevitable that Leicester would make another error and Wyle intercepted Ben Youngs pass on his own 22 and had just enough pace to make the line as a last ditch tackle came in. Farrell’s conversion made it 31-0 at half time for the European champions.

Leicester’s fight back featured tries from wing Telusa Veainu and Dom Barrow with conversions from Owen Williams and a penalty but then the home side regained their poise and in his final home game Charlie Hodgson kicked two penalties and a conversion of Ashton’s second try as he dribbled the ball over the line.

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