Leicester vs Saracens LIVE: Rugby Premiership final result as Freddie Burns drop goal wins it for Tigers

Freddie Burns’ last-gasp drop goal hands Tigers a dramatic victory at Twickenham

(Getty Images)

Leicester Tigers won their ninth Gallagher Premiership title after sinking Saracens 15-12 in a pulsating final at Twickenham as Freddie Burns’ dramatic drop goal with 20 seconds of normal time remaining saw them home.

Saracens’ hopes of completing a stunning rise from salary cap scandal and relegation humiliation to regain domestic silverware were dashed by the snarling Tigers.

Leicester overcame the first-half loss of injured talisman George Ford in his final appearance before joining Sale this summer to end a nine-year wait for title glory.

Tries by their South African back-row forwards Hanro Liebenberg and Jasper Wiese during an eight-minute spell in the second quarter underpinned Leicester’s victory.

Saracens scrum-half Aled Davies was off the field for both scores after being sin-binned following a high shoulder-led challenge on Tigers hooker Julian Montoya, although he was fortunate to avoid a red card.

Ford’s replacement Burns added a conversion before his dramatic clincher, while Saracens skipper Owen Farrell kicked three penalties and Elliot Daly one.

But Saracens’ dream of a sixth league crown being secured only 15 months after they were ambushed by Cornish Pirates in Penzance – following demotion to the Championship and a £5.36million fine for repeated salary cap breaches – was extinguished.

Follow the reaction from the Premiership final below.

Leicester vs Saracens

• Leicester win their first Premiership title for nine years
• FULL-TIME! Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens
• 80’ - DROP GOAL! Freddie Burns wins it at the death for Leicester (15-12)
• 75’ - PENALTY! Farrell levels it with a three-pointer (12-12)
• HALF-TIME! Leicester Tigers 12-6 Saracens
• 35’ - TRY! Wiese crashes over to extend Leicester’s lead (12-6)
• 27’ - TRY! Liebenberg burrows over for Leicester Tigers (7-3)
• 23’ - INJURY! George Ford hobbles off with an ankle injury in his final game for Leicester (0-3)

[18 June 2022 15:34 · Luke Baker]

TRY! Leicester Tigers 5-3 Saracens - 27 min

Leicester with a man advantage immediately attack. Steward makes a break and feeds Chris Ashton - who in his storied career has never scored in a Prem Final - and the ball is three metres away.

A couple of phases and Hanro Liebenberg drives his legs, with Dan Cole assisting him for the push over the line. TRY for Leicester.

[18 June 2022 15:32 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 25 min - YELLOW CARD!

Another potentially huge moment. Aled Davies tackles a dipping Montoya and his shoulder makes contact with the Leicester player’s head.

He could be in trouble here...

Discussion between Wayne Barnes and his TMO. He says the degree of danger was just below high, so it’s only a yellow card for Davies. The Tigers fans in the crowd express their displeasure that it wasn’t red.

[18 June 2022 15:27 · Luke Baker]

SUB - Ford OFF. Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 23 min

Ford is trying out his ankle to see how much weight he can put on it. He shakes his head and it looks like he’s coming off.

Freddie Burns, a very capable fly-half, will come on for Ford but he’s Leicester’s talisman. Not the way he would want to end his time at Tigers - he’s joining Sale Sharks this summer.

[18 June 2022 15:25 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 23 min

This is potentially bad news for Leicester Tigers and George Ford, he’s down receiving treatment.

He made a weaving run in midfield and as he stepped past Aled Davies, his right foot appeared to give way slightly. A potential ankle injury - would be a huge loss for Leicester.

[18 June 2022 15:24 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 22 min

Saracens assistant coach Kelly Brown gives his thoughts on the final so far.

“It’s tense, it’s a physical game of chesss. Lots of kicking, so we’ve got to stay in that. A good kick is either one we chase and get back or it’s a long kick that finds space. Leicester are a good team, we know that and we know they kick well.”

[18 June 2022 15:23 · Luke Baker]

MISS! Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 21 min

Billy Vunipola caught offside on the fringe as he plays Wigglesworth early. Penalty just left of centre for Leicester, about five metres in the Saracens half and George Ford lines it up.

It has the distance but drifts wide right. Saracens still lead

[18 June 2022 15:19 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 18 min

Brilliant footwork from Billy Vunipola! He steps two men off the base of the scrum and offloads to Max Malins. Sublime from the No 8 - are you watching, Eddie Jones?!

Malins’ subsequent kick then slips into touch and although Leicester are forced back they win a penalty just in front of their own line and clear their lines.

[18 June 2022 15:18 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 16 min

One scrum reset and on the second attempt, Sarries win a massive penalty! Referee Wayne Barnes explains that Dan Cole lost his bind - the veteran prop costing his side. Huge turnover

[18 June 2022 15:16 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 14 min

Mistake from Aled Davies, as he drops Wigglesworth’s up-and-under just outside his own 22. Tigers collect and this is a better attacking platform for Leicester.

Ashton grubbers through, it forces Davies back to his own line, he gets the ball off to Goode but he’s swallowed up by converging Tigers. He’s forced back over his own line and it will be a five-metre scrum for Leicester. A first real chance for them

[18 June 2022 15:13 · Luke Baker]

Leicester Tigers 0-3 Saracens - 12 min

Maitland takes the ball into contact but the Leicester pack pinch it at the breakdown. They quickly opt for the aerial route but Ford’s up-and-under is too long and another mark called in the Sarries 22.

Steward then tries a little chip over the top around halfway, which goes into touch. Very cagey from both sides so far.