Leicester Tigers are back at the top of English rugby for the first time in nine years thanks to a dramatic drop goal courtesy of Freddie Burns against Saracens.
The Tigers are Premiership Rugby champions after beating Saracens 15-12 at Twickenham in an enthralling final.
With just seconds remaining on the clock, replacement Burns kicked the matchwinning moment to see Leicester crowned champions for the first time since 2013.
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.
Leicester only avoided relegation two years ago due to Saracens being punished, yet their revival under head coach Steve Borthwick has been spectacular.
And after finishing top following the regular league season, in addition to winning all 12 Premiership home games plus a play-off, they again delivered when it mattered.
Leicester Tigers led at half-time
In an encounter that saw both sides kick for territory and possession a lot, it was Saracens who got into an early 3-0 lead via a penalty from their fly-half Owen Farrell.
Things went from bad to worse for the men in green when fly-half George Ford was forced off with an ankle injury – seeing Burns come on sooner than planned.
However, while Sarries had the scoreline advantage they then suffered a numerical disadvantage as they were reduced to 14 men after Aled Davies was sent to the sin bin.
The scrum half was penalised following a high shoulder-led challenge on Tigers hooker Julian Montoya, although he was fortunate to avoid a red card.
And Steve Borthwick’s side capitalised on having an extra man within that spell as they crossed the whitewash twice.
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 as they took a 12-3 lead.
Another penalty from Farrell saw Sarries go in at half-time 12-6 down at the break.
Saracens peg back before Burns’ takes centre stage
Leicester pushed again in the second half but after several forays in the Saracens 22m area, they came away empty-handed.
Saracens defended superbly and forced their way back, earning two penalties which Farrell slotted to level the match with four minutes remaining.
Now level, they also had a numerical advantage when Tigers substitute Matt Scott was yellow-carded for a high challenge on Billy Vunipola – resulting in Farrell’s penalty to level things.
However, that parity didn’t last long as Burns changed scored Tigers only points after the interval with just 20 seconds left of the second half.
