Five yellow cards and one red handed out as Tigers dismantle Saints

Hooker Jamie Blamire crossed for a brace of tries as Leicester bared their title-chasing teeth and left local rivals Northampton feeling plenty of Gallagher Prem pain and anguish.

Geoff Parling’s side produced a convincing and commanding display in this latest fiery East Midlands derby to show they mean business in the final stretch of the season.

Leicester ran in six tries to bury a Saints side who had arrived hoping to clinch a bonus-point win to secure their play-off place.

Instead, it was the hosts who dominated throughout and cruised to victory to increase their belief they can be crowned champions again.

The contest saw a record number of cards for this fixture – five yellows, while Tigers’ Izaia Perese got a late red one.

Leicester dominated the first half and secured three tries to carve out a 19-5 interval lead.

James O’Connor, who replaced the injured Billy Searle, was outstanding at number 10 as the veteran Australia international created momentum and pressure for his side.

England lock George Martin opened the scoring as he had the easiest of tasks to saunter across the line unchallenged after the ball was moved wide.

Saints – warned about indiscipline after a series of penalties – also lost number eight Callum Chick to the sin bin for offside in the build-up.

The away side lit up this contest with a stunning try, carrying the ball swiftly from inside their own half before Fraser Dingwall finally off-loaded to Tommy Freeman, who strolled over to draw level – on 51 – with Ben Cohen as Northampton’s record Premiership scorer.

Tigers replied with Martin driving forward and then the backs moved the ball wide to Ollie Hassell-Collins to waltz pass George Furbank for a try in the left corner.

O’Connor converted and repeated the act a few minutes later when Blamire ploughed over for the hosts’ third try from close range.

O’Connor kicked an early second-half penalty before the hosts took full charge, with Jack van Poortvliet’s sublime volley over the defence pounced on by Adam Radwan to dive over.

Saints lost Josh Kemeny to the sin bin for foul play in stopping another potential Leicester try.

Both Tigers prop Joe Heyes and Northampton replacement hooker Craig Wright followed him off the field following a bust up after Blamire had claimed another try for the home side from a driving maul.

When full-back Freddie Steward raced through a gap to cross over, the game was finished as a contest and Saints turned to Henry Pollock off the bench.

He was immediately threatened with punishment by referee Matthew Carley after a clash with Hanro Liebenberg.

Tigers’ replacement hooker Charlie Clare was sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm to Wright’s head at a ruck, while George Hendy scored a try from Pollock’s pass.

There was still more drama, with replacement wing Perese given a 20-minute red card after 75 minutes for causing a clash of heads with Furbank.

Freeman crossed for his second try but Leicester were already celebrating a huge psychological victory in the title race.