TIGERS MATCHFILE

– MATCHFILE –

LEICESTER TIGERS 33-24 ULSTER RUGBY

Friday April 30 2021 / European Challenge Cup semi-final Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Pascal Gauzere (Fra)

LEICESTER TIGERS

15 Freddie Steward 14 Guy Porter T

13 Matías Moroni 12 Matt Scott 11 Nemani Nadolo 10 George Ford 3P/3C/DG 9 Richard Wigglesworth 1 Ellis Genge T

2 Tom Youngs (c) 3 Dan Cole 4 Harry Wells 5 Calum Green 6 George Martin 7 Hanro Liebenberg 8 Jasper Wiese T 16 Charlie Clare 17 Luan de Bruin 18 Joe Heyes 19 Tomás Lavanini 20 Cyle Brink 21 Ben Youngs 22 Zack Henry 23 Kini Murimurivalu ULSTER: Stockdale, Baloucoune, Hume, McCloskey, McIlroy, Burns, Cooney; O’Sullivan, Herring, Moore, O’Connor, Henderson (c), Rea, Murphy, Timoney. Reps: Andrew, Warwick, O’Toole, Treadwell, Reidy, Mathewson, Lowry, Addison

Tigers roared back from a half-time deficit with an impressive performance after the break to book a place in the European Challenge Cup Final.

Scores from Ireland internationals Iain Henderson and Billy Burns - after an earlier score had been chalked-off for a knock-on - in a 10-minute spell when Tigers were a man short due to picking up a yellow card under pressure on their own line, gave visitors Ulster a 17-6 lead midway through the first half.

But neither side added anything more in the remaining 20 minutes of the opening period, even as Tigers built set-piece pressure at close range. But the home side did make a big impact at the start of the second half. After a delay in play when scrum-half John Cooney left the field injured, Tigers came flying out of the traps with Ellis Genge’s carry setting up a chance for Freddie Steward. Although the full-back was brought down in the corner, Tigers retained ball and eventually Jasper Wiese barged over the line for a trademark score.

George Ford’s conversion kick brought the score back to 13-17 with 45 minutes gone and a penalty reduced the gap to just a point shortly afterwards.

Tigers made the most of the swing in momentum and, after Steward had been stopped on the right,

quick recycling allowed Ford to pick out Genge to score on the opposite side.

Tigers led for the first time and Ford’s touchline kick made it 23-17 on 55 minutes, with a drop goal from the fly-half pushing the lead out to nine points.

But Ulster played their way back into the game with No8 Nick Timoney showing good pace with a 30-metre run-in.

That set up a fascinating final 10 minutes with just two points between the teams, until Guy Porter ran in a third try for Tigers who then stood resolute in defence to secure the victory.

NOTEBOOK…

Minute’s silence in memory of former fly-half and radio commentator Bleddyn Jones before kick-off… Ellis Genge taking throwing duties at the lineout after a yellow card for Tom Youngs… 20 unanswered points at the start of the second half… George Ford named EPCR Man of the Match… Montpellier won at Bath in second semi-final.

QUOTE... “The first half was not up to our standards, but we came in and addressed it, and you saw what we did in the second half.”

Harry Wells

LEICESTER TIGERS

15 Zack Henry 14 Kobus van Wyk 13 Matías Moroni 12 Dan Kelly 11 Kini Murimurivalu 10 Johnny McPhillips 9 Ben Youngs (c) 1 Luan de Bruin 2 Charlie Clare 3 Joe Heyes 4 Cameron Henderson 5 Tomás Lavanini 6 George Martin 7 Cyle Brink 8 Hanro Liebenberg 16 Nic Dolly 17 James Whitcombe 18 Will Hurd 19 Calum Green 20 Jasper Wiese 21 Jack Van Poortvliet 22 David Williams 23 Freddie Steward SALE: L James, McGuigan, S James, Hill, Yarde, MacGinty, de Klerk; Rodd, van der Merwe, Oosthuizen, Wiese, Beaumont (c), JL Du Preez, T Curry, D Du Preez. Reps: Ashman, Harrison, John, Phillips, Nield, Quirke, Wilkinson, Doherty

– LAST TIME OUT –

SALE SHARKS 26-10 LEICESTER TIGERS

Friday May 7 2021 / Gallagher Premiership Round 18 Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Tom Foley

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A 16-point lead in the opening half hour provided the foundation for a Sale Sharks victory which took them into second place in the table overnight.

Tigers enjoyed more ball and territory in the second half, claiming a penalty try and producing the pressure which led to two yellow cards, before the hosts pulled decisively clear again.

AJ MacGinty kicked the opening points for Sale and then released Byron McGuigan to score a try on the left as they led 10-0 on 13 minutes.

Kobus van Wyk almost found his way to the tryline for Tigers but another penalty made it 16-0 before Zack Henry put the visitors on the scoreboard.

That became 19-3 early in the second half before Tigers imposed themselves, though Kini Murimurivalu was denied a score for a double movement as he forced his way over in the left-hand corner.

The game remained in Sharks territory and, with Jean-Luc du Preez already sin-binned, Luke James followed for a deliberate knock-on which also brought a penalty try.

Tigers had the wind in their sails as they built more possession but a strong carry from Tom Curry then provided the chance for Marland Yarde to score and push Sale 16 in front again.

NOTEBOOK…

The 100th meeting of the teams… Cyle Brink and Tomás Lavanini returned to the starting line-up… Premiership debuts for Nic Dolly and Will Hurd… Seasonal debut for David Williams… A fifth straight win for Sharks.

QUOTE... “The effort was great but it is frustrating because we have to start taking our opportunities better in these games.”

Charlie Clare

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