Leicester Tigers recovered from a disastrous start to battle back and beat Gloucester 38-31 for their first home win of the season. Jac Morgan and Dian Bleuler both touched down for the Cherry and Whites when Tigers had Billy Searle in the sin-bin early on, but the hosts hit back with tries from Finn Carnduff, Joe Heyes and Jamie Blamire to lead 21-14 at the break.
Aaron Wainwright and Ollie Hassell-Collins scores either side of a Will Trenholm try for Gloucester proved enough to earn Tigers a hard-earned win. Gloucester still ensured they remain top of the Prem after earning two late bonus points, with Jack Innard going over and George Barton landing an 82nd-minute penalty in a game watched by the Duke of Sussex. Prince Harry's attendance added to the sense of occasion at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, as Leicester kept their hands on the Slater Cup, a trophy honouring former Gloucester and Tigers captain Ed Slater, who retired in 2022 after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Searle's sin-binning in the second minute for a deliberate knock-on proved costly in a chaotic early showing by the hosts. Referee Karl Dickson denied Gloucester a penalty try, insisting Tigers had the numbers back to cover the danger. Once the visitors were back at full strength, Tigers grabbed a try in response through Carnduff, and Heyes finished from close range after a clever cross-field kick from Searle. Blamire then put Tigers ahead for the first time.
Tigers' defensive showing early in the second half earned Searle a penalty to extend the lead. Gloucester hit back through Trenholm, but a try-saving tackle from Tom Whiteley stopped them closing the gap further. Hassell-Collins and Adam Radwan combined to finish on the left edge, before Innard's bonus-point try and Barton's penalty gave Gloucester a losing bonus point. Tigers head coach Geoff Parling said his side felt deflated by the late bonus points but took a sign of the team's want and desire from the performance.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing