By Tom Harrington
After being included in Steve Borthwick’s England training squad last Friday, Freddie Steward put on a show in Leicester Tiger’s 24-8 victory in the East Midlands derby. The 23-year-old got on the scoresheet early on and put Tigers on the front foot every time he got the ball, making a bid for his England fullback position.
It was a quick start from the hosts as Freddie Steward opened the scoring in the East Midlands derby. Saints prop Emmanuel Iyogun penalised for not rolling away five metres out and Tigers with some smart play from the tap and go on the floor, a well-rehearsed move. A returning Handre Pollard adds the extras. 7-0.
Tommy Freeman thought he had the key to unlocking Tiger’s defence passing his opposite number Ollie Hassell-Collins but a knock-on prevented it. George Furbank in the buildup knocking the ball on in the air, previously deemed as the try-scorer Freddie Steward, the referee and TMO reversing the decision. Pollard would soon then convert a penalty for the hosts as Saints are seen off their feet. 10-0.
In the 36th minute Leicester were penalised for being offside which Fin Smith takes as an opportunity to get Saints on the board, drawing a quiet and midfield heavy first half to a close.10-3.
Tigers came out after half time the faster side applying heavy pressure through Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jack Van Poortvliet. The forward pack continuing this pressure but coming away with no fruition after a knock-on by Anthony Watson. Knock-on by Henry Pollock gives the ball back to the hosts who continued to mount the pressure, this time coming away with a try through Olly Cracknell, after ten minutes inside Saints’ 22. Handre Pollard returned from his yellow card to convert, 17-3.
In the 57th minute Saints had their second try disallowed, substitute Tom Pearson held up just short of line. The resulting play led to an interception by Joseph Woodward which found Pollock and Pearson on quick defensive duties, Pearson then subsequently penalised for holding onto the ball whilst in Jack van Poortvliet’s hands through the ruck, the backrow then sent to the bin for ten minutes. A tap and go results in Ollie Chessum scoring Leicester’s third try of the evening, a smart and quick dive for the line. Pollard added the extras, 24-3.
As the rain started to come down on a defeated looking Saints, substitute Tom West is held up a third time this evening. Going over again in the 77th minute but being held up once more. Determination came through as Tommy Freeman gets over try-line as is Saints’ only try scorer in the derby, conversion is missed by Fin Smith. Fulltime 24-8.
TRIES: 3 Steward(3) Cracknell(53) Chessum(60)
CONVERSIONS: 3 Pollard(4, 54, 61)
PENALTIES: 1 Pollard(22)
YELLOW CARDS: 2 Reffell(12) Pollard(43)
RED CARDS: 0
TIGERS: 15. Freddie Steward 14. Anthony Watson 13. Dan Kelly 12. Joe Woodward 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins 10. Handre Pollard 9. Jack van Poortvliet 1. Nicky Smith 2. Juian Montoya (Captain) 3. Joe Heyes 4. Harry Wells 5. Ollie Chessum 6. Hanro Liebenberg 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Olly Cracknell
Replacements: 16. Charlie Clare 17. James Cronin 18. Dan Cole 19. Come Joussain 20. Emeka Ilione 21. Ben Youngs 22. Jamie Shilcock 23. Will Wand
TRIES: 1 Freeman(80)
CONVERSIONS: 0
PENALTIES: 1 Smith(36)
YELLOW CARDS: 2 Langdon(32) Pearson(59)
RED CARDS: 0
SAINTS: 15. George Furbank (Captain)14. James Ramm 13. Tom Litchfield 12. Rory Hutchinson 11. Tommy Freeman 10. Fin Smith 9. Archie McParland 1. Emmanuel Iyogun 2. Curtis Langdon 3. Elliot Millar-Mills 4. Temo Mayanavanua 5. Chunya Munga 6. Josh Kemeny 7. Angus Scott-Young 8. Sam Graham
Replacements: 16. Robbie Smith 17. Tom West 18. Trevor Davison 19. Gavin Thornbury 20. Tom Pearson 21. Henry Pollock 22. Jake Garside 23. Ollie Sleightholme
FIVE TALKING POINTS: LEICESTER TIGERS 24 – 8 NORTHAMPTON SAINTS
Freddie Steward with a MOTM performance
After being included in Steve Borthwick’s training camp, Freddie Steward puts Leicester on the attack every time he receives the ball. Scoring inside the first three minutes and getting the Leicester crowd bouncing.
Michael Cheika, Leicester Tigers Director of Rugby said: “he’s really understanding how to use his frame as an attacking weapon, hitting nice lines I’ve really been impressed by his start to this season.
Return of Handre Pollard and Julian Montoya
South-African Handre Pollard and Argentine Julian Montoya rejoin the Tiger’s squad after playing in the Rugby Championship. Pollard’s kicking really impressed Welford Road, putting players into nice positions whilst Montoya grafted his way in the scrums being substituted off just after half time as his eye was closing up.
On Pollard: “he’s been excellent he’s calm he thinks about the game, puts players in some nice holes, I thought his attacking game was really quite good.”
Cheika wants to see his Tigers defence improve despite solid showing
Keeping a fast-paced and free flowing Northampton Saints side to only one try is a difficult task but Michael Cheika’s men were able to do so, a change in how his players tackle may be the key.
He said: “I obviously want to improve, bigger challenges will come everywhere and bigger challenges come every week in this league so I feel like it’s a good base for us.”
Saints injury front- With Sam Graham going off the field with a suspected dislocated knee, Northampton Saints’ injury list continues to grow. Missing key players such as: Alex Mitchell, George Hendy, Tom James and Fraser Dingwall another loss to such an important player may damage Saints’ chances of defending their title this season.
Phil Dowson said: “I don’t know if it’s taking its toll I think everyone is missing players, one of the opportunities is the squad depth.”
‘Bright Spark’ Henry Pollock – Northampton back row is one for the future
At only 19 years old, Pollock already has an under 20’s Six Nations under his belt and was a “bright spark” for Saints this evening.
Dowson added: “I thought HP (Henry Pollock) was a definite bright spark, if we weren’t creating anything and on the back foot the whole time then potentially you would be down but he wasn’t.”
