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Sarries hold off Tigers fightback despite double yellow card

By Peter Hanson
Alex Lewington /Getty

Saracens held off a second-half fightback from Leicester Tigers to win a Premiership thriller 27-22 at Welford Road on Sunday.

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The visitors boasted a comfortable lead at the interval thanks to scores from Ben Spencer, Alex Lewington and Alex Lozowski.

However, Brendon O’Connor crossed early in the second half for a Tigers side depleted by international call-ups and the same man crashed over again after Ben Earl and Schalk Burger were sent to the sin-bin. 

Matt Smith scored Leicester’s third try, but the extras were missed and Sarries – who are second on points difference – held firm for an eighth win from as many league matches this season.

Saracens, seeking to maintain their 100 per cent record in the league, led 21-3 at the break thanks to three tries of the highest quality.

Spencer started the scoring with a stunning sprint from inside his own half after returning a Leicester kick over the top before Max Malins led a brilliant break and played a phenomenal pass for Lewington to cross.

Lozowski then showed delightful feet on the right touchline and blistering pace to evade the Leicester defenders.

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O’Connor got the hosts back in the game from a rolling maul early in the second half and when Earl was pinged for deliberate knock-on and Burger also shown a yellow card Sarries were down to 13.

The Tigers quickly took advantage of the extra numbers with O’Connor driving over again and Smith racing onto a brilliant Gareth Owen grubber to bring the score within two points.

But clever work from the forwards helped wind down the clock and saw Sarries earn a penalty, which Spencer nailed, and with their full numbers back in play they overturned Leicester ball on the final play to celebrate another win.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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