Leicester Tigers and Saracens kicked off their 2026/27 PREM campaigns with a heavyweight clash at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.
Saracens met Leicester Tigers in the final game of the opening round of the 2026/27 Gallagher PREM Season at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. The visitors got off to an electric start with a Juan Martin Gonzalez try after just two minutes, which Fergus Burke converted.
The visitors were at it again only a matter of moments later as Tobias Elliott picked up a loose ball, but the Tigers' defence managed to scramble and bring the winger down. However, being tight in defence allowed for Burke to throw a wide pass out to Elliott, who strolled in for the visitors' second try.
Leicester got their response as Solomone Kata picked up a bouncing Freddie Steward pass before the Tongan centre scampered away to dot down under the stick, which Billy Searle converted.
Leicester were at it again as Jack van Poortvliet broke through the Sarries defence. With all the momentum, Steward's neat interplay put Gabriel Hamer-Webb away in the corner.
Sarries had the last laugh of the first half as Tomos Williams and Max Malins combined to put Elliot Daly away in the corner. Burke kept up his impeccable record off the tee, making it a 12-21 lead at the interval.
The second half started in electric fashion as Aaron Wainwright on Tigers debut broke through the line, combining with Finn Carnduff to put Hamer-Webb away for his second try of the afternoon.
Sarries got a reply immediately as Ben Earl crashed over, sealing the bonus point for the visitors. Burke added the extras
Hamer-Webb's hat trick was secured as the Welsh winger went over, this time his compatriot Wainwright being the ultimate provider. Searle converted this one.
Adam Radwan managed to get on the score sheet as a delicate kick from Van Poortvliet landed in the hands of Radwan, who dived over. In all the melee, Nick Isiekwe was sent off for a high shot on Freddie Steward. Searle again, converted.
Rotimi Segun managed to retake the lead for Sarries as a cross-field kick from Daly landed in the winger's hands, and all he had to do was walk in. Burke added the extras.
James Thompson managed to cross from close range with 10 left on the clock as Searle added the extras.
Tarek Haffar was sent to the sin bin in the dying exchanges, and with equal amounts of players on the pitch, Rotimi Segun nicked it for the visitors. Burke missed the kick, but Sarries got the job done.
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Leicester Tigers 38(12)
- Tries: Kata 16', Hamer-Webb 27', 45', 50', Radwan 54', Thompson 67'
- Conversions: Searle 17', 51' 55', 68'
- Penalties:
Saracens 40(21)
- Tries: Gonzalez 2', Elliott 9', Daly 34', Earl 48', Segun 61'
- Conversions: Burke 3', 10', 35', 49', 62'
- Penalties:
Player of the match – Aaron Wainwright
The Welshman was on FIRE. Unplayable all game and did the solid job in the back row for Tigers.
Biggest underperformer – Nick Isiekwe
A red card for a silly high tackle - what more can you say...
Player to watch – [PLAYER]
To follow.
