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

(Getty Images)

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.

Leicester vs Saracens

• Leicester win their first Premiership title for nine years
• FULL-TIME! Leicester Tigers 15-12 Saracens
• 80’ - DROP GOAL! Freddie Burns wins it at the death for Leicester (15-12)
• 75’ - PENALTY! Farrell levels it with a three-pointer (12-12)
• HALF-TIME! Leicester Tigers 12-6 Saracens
• 35’ - TRY! Wiese crashes over to extend Leicester’s lead (12-6)
• 27’ - TRY! Liebenberg burrows over for Leicester Tigers (7-3)
• 23’ - INJURY! George Ford hobbles off with an ankle injury in his final game for Leicester (0-3)

[18 June 2022 13:59 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Leicester vs Saracens: Talking points ahead of Premiership final

Leicester Tigers and Saracens will contest the Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham on Saturday in a heavyweight collision between two English rugby giants.

Tigers have won the title eight times but their last triumph was nine years ago, while Saracens are chasing a sixth crown after returning to the Premiership this season.

Here we assess some key talking points heading into the game.

[18 June 2022 13:52 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Harry Latham-Coyle’s match preview

Neither man is particularly fond of undue nostalgic recollection but as Leicester’s Steve Borthwick and Saracens’ Mark McCall engage in pre-match pleasantries at Twickenham on Saturday, there may just be a shared smile at the memory of the last Premiership final meeting between these two sides. Now in opposition, McCall and Borthwick then basked in triumph as coach and captain, having guided Saracens to the first of the five domestic crowns that now crowd the cabinet at their north London home.

It is 11 years since that encounter, the second of two consecutive showpiece deciders that offered the first inklings of a changing of the Premiership dynastic guard as Leicester’s empire began to fall and Saracens developed into the side of ruthless winners that would define the next era of English club rugby.

How the mighty fell.

[18 June 2022 13:46 · Lawrence Ostlere]

The teams

Leicester XV: Steward; Ashton, Moroni, Porter, Potter; Ford, Wigglesworth; Genge (capt), Montoya, Cole, Chessum, Green, Liebenberg, Reffell, Wiese.

Replacements: Clare, Leatigaga, Heyes, Wells, Martin, Youngs, Burns, Scott.

Saracens XV: Goode; Malins, Daly, Tompkins, Maitland; Farrell (capt), Davies; M Vunipola, George, Koch, Itoje, Isiekwe, McFarland, Earl, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Pifeleti, Mawi, Clarey, Wray, Christie, Van Zyl, Taylor, Lozowski.

[18 June 2022 13:42 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Dan Cole appreciates Premiership Final appearance after barren Tigers run

Dan Cole can recall a time when it was “automatic” for Leicester Tigers to reach the Gallagher Premiership play-offs and final.

But the fact their last Twickenham appearance in English rugby’s showpiece domestic occasion was nine years ago has brought a level of appreciation to today’s final against Saracens.

[18 June 2022 13:34 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Mark McCall is the reason Saracens are back in the big time, says Owen Farrell

Owen Farrell has spoken of his admiration for Mark McCall and insisted the consistency of “the boss” alongside his coaching team is the reason Saracens are attempting to become English champions for a sixth time in 11 years.

The StoneX Stadium side face Leicester Tigers at Twickenham on Saturday looking to end their first season back in the Gallagher Premiership with more silverware.

Relegation two years ago for repeated breaches of salary cap regulations was meant to be the end of a trophy-laden era for Sarries, who have won five league titles and three European crowns since McCall was appointed director of rugby back in 2011.

Instead, the experienced Northern Irishman managed to keep the squad together – despite dropping into the Championship – and is now on the brink of a further prize at the home of English rugby.

[18 June 2022 13:29 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Leicester vs Saracens – Rugby Premiership final

Leicester Tigers take on Saracens as the two most decorated sides in English rugby union this century go head to head at Twickenham to be crowned Premiership champions.

The Gallagher Premiership trophy awaits the winner at Twickenham (Getty Images)