Leicester Tigers edge closer to Gallagher Premiership play-off positions with a thrilling 36-28 win over Saracens, powered by Adam Radwan’s two outstanding tries.

Adam Radwan proved once again why he is one of the Premiership’s most dangerous wingers, scoring two tries as Leicester Tigers overcame Saracens at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. The victory moves Leicester within striking distance of the top four, keeping their playoff ambitions very much alive.

Tigers’ Strong Start

The Leicester Tigers came out firing, showing intent from the first whistle. Freddie Steward and Olly Cracknell both crossed the try line in the opening half, giving Leicester an early edge. Saracens struggled to impose themselves, relying heavily on tactical kicking and finding it difficult to create sustained pressure.

The visitors did get on the scoreboard when Theo McFarland powered over from short range, but Leicester’s dominance was clear. The Tigers’ first-half performance was a mix of structured play and individual brilliance, particularly from Radwan, whose speed and vision proved decisive.

Radwan’s Spectacular Display

The highlight of the match came when Radwan executed a stunning interception try. Leicester, deep in their own half, turned defense into attack, with Radwan regathering the ball and sprinting past the final Saracens defender to score a spectacular corner try. This try not only energized the home crowd but also put the game firmly beyond the visitors’ reach.

Joe Heyes added another score before halftime after strong forward play from Will Wand and Jamie Blamire, securing a bonus point for the Tigers and leaving Saracens with a mountain to climb in the second half.

Saracens’ Response

Saracens attempted to fight back after the break, with Rhys Carre crashing over following a series of close-range drives. However, Leicester’s defense and game management proved too strong. Radwan’s second try, coming from a perfectly timed read of an Ivan van Zyl pass, sealed the win for Leicester and highlighted his ability to turn half-chances into match-winning moments.

Despite late tries from Juan Martin Gonzalez and Charlie Bracken, Saracens were unable to overturn the deficit, although they did secure a losing bonus point. This result keeps Saracens in sixth place but underlines the gap that Leicester have created between themselves and their closest rivals.

Key Takeaways

• Adam Radwan scored his sixth and seventh tries of the Gallagher Premiership season, showcasing his exceptional pace and finishing ability.
• Freddie Steward and Olly Cracknell provided strong starts in attack, laying the foundation for Leicester’s win.
• Joe Heyes secured the crucial bonus point try, ensuring Leicester maintain pressure on the top four.
• Saracens showed flashes of quality but were largely one-dimensional and struggled against Leicester’s structured defense.

Post-Match Reactions

Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling praised the team’s effort:
“We started really well, moved the ball effectively, and although there’s still room for improvement, this was a great result. We’ll keep building on this performance as the season progresses.”

Adam Radwan reflected on the team’s focus after a disappointing performance against Exeter Chiefs:
“We challenged each other to be better this week. Today, our intent and effort were exactly what we needed to win.”

Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall was honest about his side’s performance:
“We were second best. The first 15-20 minutes set the tone, and unfortunately, we couldn’t recover. Back-to-back wins continue to elude us.”

Looking Ahead

With Leicester’s victory, the Tigers remain fifth in the Gallagher Premiership, just two points behind Bristol Bears in fourth. The race for playoff positions remains intense, and Radwan’s continued form will be key to Leicester’s hopes of securing a top-four finish.

Leicester Tigers Lineup vs Saracens

• Tigers: Steward; Radwan, Wand, Bailey, Hassell-Collins; Searle, van Poortvliet; Smith, Blamire, Heyes, Henderson, Chessum (c), Thompson, Williams, Cracknell.
• Replacements: Clare, Haffar, Hurd, Ilione, Moro, Allan, Pearson, Hamer-Webb.
• Saracens: Daly; Segun, Cinti, Tompkins, Malins; Burke, van Zyl (c); Carre, George, Riccioni, Isiekwe, Tizard, McFarland, Earl, Willis.
• Replacements: Dan, Mawi, Street, Itoje, Gonzalez, Christie, C. Bracken, Lozowski.

Referee: Matthew Carley