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
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.
Dramatic Freddie Burns drop goal sees Leicester Tigers beat Saracens for first Premiership Rugby title in nine years
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.
Late Freddie Burns drop goal sees Leicester beat Saracens for Premiership Rugby title
Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens: Burns’ drop goal with 20 seconds of normal time remaining saw Leicester home
Leicester Tigers - 2021/22 Gallagher Premiership champions
Leicester Tigers are the 2021/22 Premiership Rugby champions
Owen Farrell discusses Saracens’ defeat
Saracens fly-half Owen Farrell talks to BT Sport after the defeat.
“It was a game of not making too many mistakes. They were not playing anything in their half and I think it frustrated us.
“They’ve played well all season and carried that into today. They stuck to the game plan and when we made mistakes they punished us.
“There weren’t too many cracks in that game, when mistakes were made they punished us.”
Chris Ashton reacts to Tigers’ dramatic win
Chris Ashton speaks to 5 Live after the victory.
“I am knackered. I honestly never thought I’d see this day again. About four months ago I was sat in the garage at home and now I’m winning a Premiership.
“No-one gave us a chance, we had a free shot here today. It’s amazing, this group has worked so hard. Saracens are an amazing team but oh man, I can’t believe it.”
Leicester Tigers lift the trophy
And there’s the moment!
Leicester Tigers, captained by Ellis Genge, get their hands on the Gallagher Premiership trophy and hold it aloft as fireworks and confetti go off around them. What a moment.
From the dominance of the 90s and 2000s, Tigers dropped almost as low as it’s possible to go but they’ve rebuilt, climbed their way back up the league and with Steve Borthwick in charge, they’ve reached the summit of English rugby once more!
The celebrations are well underway at Twickenham
VIDEO: Freddie Burns wins the Premiership title for Leeicester Tigers with a late drop goal
Here’s the moment Freddie Burns wrote his name in Premiership Rugby history
Jasper Wiese reacts to Leicester victory
Jasper Wiese, one of the try-scorers was named Player of the Match and has given his reaction.
“It’s amazing. It shows how far we’ve come, shows the hard work we’ve put in through the season - I’m lost for words.
“It’s special. I think with some of the boys leaving, we said this is the last one together. It’s just special, I don’t know what to say - it’s unbelievable.
“We just said we wanted to play a style of rugby that would be unpredictable in attack and defence would be a key. Steve [Borthwick] and the coaching squad got it right this week.
“Everyone gave it 100 per cent for the boy next to them. The boys are tight, we play for each other and the fans help us every week.”
Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens
What a thrilling end to the game! Freddie Burns, who came on when George Ford got injured int he first half, is the hero
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