Sarries move up into sixth

Saracens hung on to a 22-16 victory over Leicester to go sixth in the Premiership.

Guinness Premiership, Saracens v Leicester, Vicarage Road, Sunday November 12, 3pm

Saracens earned a narrow 22-16 victory over a depleted Leicester outfit at Vicarage Road, where the main talking point was Andy Farrell's first Premiership start at inside centre.

Farrell failed to have a big impact in the match but Glen Jackson's boot helped the home side beat The Tigers despite Andy Goode's second half crusade including a try, conversion and penalty.

Jackson kicked four penalties and converted Richard Haughton's first half try as Sarries moved up into sixth place in the table and, although Farrell showed some glimpses of his brilliance, he was not as effective as he would have liked.

The Tigers were missing out on a host of players on international duty and Saracens dominated the first half as a result, with Jackson kicking the first of his five penalties after 11 minutes following some good early pressure.

Paul Burke replied with a Leicester penalty almost immediately, but Saracens bagged a deserved try on 18 minutes after an up-and-under from Kevin Sorrell.

Number eight Ben Skirving was hauled down just a metre from the line after collecting the ball, but he managed to find Haughton who crossed the line for the try.

New Zealander Jackson added another penalty in the 24th minute to give Saracens a ten-point half time lead.

Burke and Jackson traded penalties but a second from Jackson saw Saracens moves further ahead and look well in control.

Leon Lloyd was sin-binned for Leicester fifteen minutes into the second half but The Tigers responded and substitute Goode managed to get over the line after a quick tap penalty from Harry Ellis.

Goode converted his own try and then sent a penalty sailing between the posts to reduce the deficit down to just 19-16.

Jackson kicked another penalty for 22-16 and Leicester then needed a converted try, and they duly crossed the line through James Buckland, but he was adjudged to have been held up by the desperate Saracens defence right under the posts.

The hosts survived the late pressure and hung on for the victory that sent them into sixth place in the Premiership table.