Leicester continue fine start with win at Gloucester

Leicester Tigers maintained their perfect start to the 2021/22 campaign following another impressive victory as they defeated Gloucester 33-26 at Kingsholm.

The Midlanders controlled much of the opening period but only six points separated the teams at the break as Harry Wells and Ellis Genge touched down for Leicester, with Fraser Balmain and Ruan Ackermann hitting back for the Cherry and Whites.

Only two George Ford penalties separated the sides before Harry Potter and Mark Atkinson traded tries in the third quarter.

Ford, who responded to his England omission with a fine display, added another off the tee to give the Tigers some breathing space and the win was then confirmed thanks to Nic Dolly’s close range effort, despite Jack Clement giving the hosts two losing bonus-points.

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Atkinson was Gloucester’s solitary change of personnel behind the scrum, slotting back into midfield and Tom Seabrook switching to wing duty instead of Jonny May, while starters up-front included former Leicester lock Ed Slater.

Leicester boss Steve Borthwick handed a first Tigers start to second-row forward Eli Snyman, and scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet started instead of England’s Ben Youngs, who was on the bench.

Ford was quickly into the action, kicking two penalties inside the opening six minutes that punished poor Gloucester discipline.

There was an impressive composure about Leicester, and they rocked Gloucester by scoring an opening try midway through a one-sided opening quarter.

The Tigers forwards made considerable headway inside Gloucester’s 22, and Wells claimed a close-range touchdown that Ford converted as Leicester rattled along at a point a minute.

Gloucester had to find a way into the game, and they delivered from their first notable attack after Leicester struggled to hold their main ball-carriers before Balmain claimed a try, converted by Evans.

Leicester then freed the powerful Nemani Nadolo deep inside his own half, and he beat three Gloucester players on a rampaging run that almost resulted in a try for full-back Freddie Steward.

It required some frantic defence to keep the Tigers out, and home full-back Kyle Moyle received a yellow card for illegally stopping Tigers’ possession.

Leicester did not require a second invitation to make their temporary numerical advantage count, as Genge crashed over in the corner, making it 18-7.

But Gloucester hit back before the break, scoring a second try after slick passing saw Ackermann go over unopposed and close an entertaining first half, although not before Ford sent a penalty kick wide at the third attempt after the ball twice fell off his kicking tee from 40 metres out.

Potter’s try put daylight between the teams, yet Gloucester kept plugging away and Atkinson sliced through Tigers’ defence for a try that Evans converted to set up an intriguing final quarter.

Ford’s third penalty calmed any Leicester nerves, then Dolly pounced for his third try in two games this term and the Tigers prevailed, despite seeing Ollie Chessum sin-binned late on and Gloucester claiming another converted try that secured two losing bonus points.