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Saracens’ decision to prioritise the Gallagher Premiership over Europe paid off as they boosted their play-off hopes by edging Leicester 29-22 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
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England stars Maro Itoje and Tom Willis were involved in league action for a second successive weekend after the Six Nations, meaning they would have to be stood down for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup visit to Toulon.
The decision was rewarded with a bonus-point victory that was founded on their lightning quick start and a strong second half as they benefited from the arrival of Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe and Alex Goode off the bench.
It was Dan’s opportunistic 63rd-minute try, made possible by a Leicester line-out error, that proved the difference in pulsating clash that sees Saracens move within two points of the top four.
Leicester were fresh from their 33-0 romp at Northampton but could not repeat those fireworks in another twist in a play-off race that will go down to the wire.
Both sides lost key players early in the afternoon, Leicester’s Ollie Chessum withdrawing during the warm up and then Fraser Balmain of Saracens being helped off just seconds into the game.
Saracens adjusted quickly to the loss of their tighthead prop by sending Jamie George over for a well worked try, although they were also penalised for demanding referee Luke Pearce punish Solomone Kata for use of the elbow.
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Leicester’s defence then parted for Juan Martin Gonzalez to add the visitors’ second following lively build-up play from Theo McFarland and George.
The deficit spurred Tigers into action and, having wasted a series of chances, they pounced through Freddie Steward.
Aided by the flood of penalties being conceded by Saracens, they struck again through a Handre Pollard drop-goal.
Alex Lozowski responded in kind having missed a routine penalty but his side faced some anxious moments when England captain Itoje went down injured until he rose to his feet after receiving treatment.
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Gallagher Premiership
P
W
L
D
PF
PA
PD
BP T
BP-7
BP
Total
1
Bath
13
11
2
0
56
2
Bristol
13
8
5
0
46
3
Leicester
13
7
5
1
41
4
Gloucester
13
7
6
0
41
5
Sale
13
8
5
0
39
6
Saracens
13
7
6
0
39
7
Harlequins
13
6
6
1
37
8
Northampton
13
5
8
0
28
9
Exeter Chiefs
13
3
10
0
20
10
Newcastle
13
2
11
0
10
Leicester hit back on the brink of half-time with a forward try for Hanro Liebenberg and the South African was over again moments after the break, although his second was a more eye-catching score involving more intricate build-up.
It was bettered by Saracens’ response through Angus Hall that was made possible by slick handling and a classy finish, before the scrum came to the visitors’ rescue when they were under pressure on their own line.
Earl, Dan, Goode and Isiekwe came on to give Saracens renewed energy and when Leicester blundered at a line-out, Dan capitalised to score what proved to be the pivotal try.