Saracens had no answer to Tigers' catch and drive weapon

LEICESTER duly came away from the StoneX Stadium with the required victory over a stacked Saracens side but, as expected, it wasn't at all easy.

- By IAN COCKERILL

Tigers' Orlando Bailey outpaces the Saracens defence LEAP OF FAITH: Saracens win a lineout against Tigers at the StoneX Stadium

Indeed, for the first 30 minutes it was a question of holding on as Saracens bossed the breakdown and prevented any meaningful creativity from the Leicester backs.

Tigers made the most of some periodic indiscipline which provided them with a foothold and allowed an against the run of play try that got them on the scoreboard from a catch and drive.

It was interesting that Saracens had clearly noted the issues that Leicester have had in the lineout away from the first team this season and challenged that first attempt in the air, which made the following drive a very easy one for the Leicester pack.

As one would expect from a team as well coached as Sarries, they adapted quickly but over the game were never able to legally deal with that facet of the Tigers game.

The narrative was transformed in the second half.