Saracens forwards set-up 26-6 win against Leicester
By PA Sport
Last Updated: 02/01/16 7:52pm
Saracens forwards were too strong for Leicester as they secured a convincing 26-6 win at Allianz Park - scoring no less than three penalty tries in the process.
In poor conditions, Saracens win was built on the dominance of their scrum as the three penalty tries and a Jamie George score gave them maximum points and extended their unbeaten run to eight this season.
In front of new England forward coach Steve Borthwick, Saracens locks George Kruis and Maro Itoje certainly caught the eye but this was a collective effort that humbled a Tigers side who take pride in the forward-based game.
Leicester could take comfort in the performance of fly-half Freddie Burns, whose two penalties constituted their only points from the afternoon, but the recurring sight of their scrum hurtling backwards will not be forgotten in a hurry.
Evidence of Saracens' strength was seen in the 11th minute when all but two of the backline joined a line-out drive for the whitewash and when the visitors crumbled just inches from their line, referee Greg Garner signalled a penalty try.
Burns' goals kept the Tigers within a point but their hopes of leaving Allianz Park with a seventh win of the season receded when back-rowers Tom Croft and Ed Slater departed through injury inside the opening 30 minutes.
Saracens would have extended their lead had Charlie Hodgson and then Alex Goode not sent routine penalties wide in the blustery conditions, but two minutes into the second half they crossed for a second time.
Once again it was a short-range line-out that provided the platform with the forwards winning clean ball and driving over, hooker George emerging from beneath the pile of bodies with the ball.
Pressure was building on Leicester and when Billy Vunipola was held up over the line shortly after he had bulldozed through the Tigers on a separate run, they opted for an attacking scrum.
Replacement props Dan Cole and Logovi'i Mulipola were ordered off the bench for the set-piece, but the move backfired as Saracens powered over with Garner awarding another penalty try.
The last 20 minutes was the story of Saracens' pursuit of the bonus point, with the scrum their weapon of choice.
Cole was sent to the sin-bin after Leicester were shoved backwards and when Saracens were equally dominant at the next scrum, Garner waved for a third penalty try and the five-point haul was secure.
