World Cup winner puts Tigers on top

LEICESTER ignited their campaign through a huge collective effort inspired by Springbok World Cup winner Handre Pollard.

- ROB WILDMAN

After four Premiership defeats on the bounce, Tigers needed this victory over their arch-rivals before a passionate full house.

Pollard contributed 16 points to reward Tigers’ greater pressure and his huge kicks out of hand was another big factor in deciding this fierce clash.

The most ferocious spell came 10 minutes into the second half when a try from substitute prop Francois Van Wyk had given Tigers a 19-3 lead.

Despite losing two substitute front-rowers Sam Matavesi and Ethan Waller to the sin bin, Northampton regathered through a George Furbank try and then claimed a second try for centre Tommy Freeman.

However, referee Karl Dickson ruled that substitute flanker Henry Pollock had knocked on before Freeman grabbed the loose ball to score.

Saints boss Phil Dowson said the decision was “marginal” but felt a bigger call by referee Dickson had come in the lead up to van Wyk’s try.

Dowson claimed Leicester captain Hanro Liebenberg should have been penalised for being offside in the ruck before Matavesi was penalised for blocking release.