Saracens travelled to the East-Midlands in a bid to defend their Premiership crown by making it to the final. However, one thing stood in their way – Leicester Tigers.

George Ford stole the show once again for Leicester as a late call-up in the place of Toby Flood.

This game had a similar start to the day’s earlier semi-final with a selection of penalties building up most of the scores but Alesana Tuilagi got the first try in his last game for Leicester.

After two penalties from both fly-halves, England star David Strettle made a break. The winger looked set to score the game’s opening try but a tap-tackle just before the line from Alesana Tuilagi put the winger off balance. The Television Match Official disallowed the try after replays showed he lost the ball over the line.

Alesana Tuilagi waltzed his way over the line and went untouched by the visiting defence in quite magical fashion. The Samoan monster broke through after a well-timed pass from George Ford who also converted the try.

A quiet first half with few frills left Leicester with a one point advantage and neither team making any significant strides towards the final.

Leicester did seem the dominant force though with the only try and better attacking rugby compared to Saracens who were clearly aiming to get momentum going forward and points on the board.

Steve Mafi was the hero in the second half. After a high-speed break from George Ford, the youngster offloaded to Manu Tuilagi. Leicester played quick ball from the breakdown creating space out wide for Murphy who passed onto Steve Mafi for the try.

Ford fluffed the conversion but soon recovered his kicks sending a penalty over the posts minutes later. Farrell responded before Ford slotted another of his own.

The tension continued to build late in the game but no more points could be scored leaving Leicester with a place in the final and Saracens on a disappointing trip back to North London.

Details:
Scores: 0-3 Farrell pen, 3-3 Ford pen, 3-6 Farrell pen, 8-6 Tuilagi try, 10-6 Ford con, 10-9 Farrell pen, 10-12 Farrell pen, 13-12 Ford pen, 18-12 Mafi try, 21-12 Ford pen, 21-15 Farrell pen, 24-15 Ford pen

Leicester: Murphy (capt); Agulla, M Tuilagi, Allen, A Tuilagi; Flood, B Youngs; Ayerza, Chuter, Cole; Skivington, Parling; Mafi, Salvi, Waldrom.
Replacements: T Youngs, Mulipola, Castrogiovanni, Kitchener, Newby, Harrison, Twelvetrees, Hamilton.

Saracens: Goode; Strettle, Farrell, Barritt, Wyles; Hodgson, De Kock; Gill, Brits, Stevens; Borthwick (capt), Botha; Wray, Fraser, Joubert.
Replacements: George, Smit, Nieto, Vyvyan, Kruis, Wigglesworh, Powell, Short.

Referee: D Pearson