Tigers run rampant over Saracens

Kafer was the architect behind Leicester's victory

Leicester 36-10 Saracens

Leicester showed why they are favourites for a fourth consecutive Zurich Premiership title with a convincing win at Welford Road on Saturday.

Despite the absence of skipper Martin Johnson with a broken hand, six regulars on Six Nations duty with England and three more with injuries, Tigers ran rampant over Saracens.

Australian centre Rod Kafer proved to be the home side's key player, scoring his first try for the club and helping them make the most of their clear superiority up front.

The Tigers were already ahead when the former Wallaby strode over the line after his delicate chip bounced favourably away from two Saracens defenders.

Steve Booth put away a second just before the interval and Tigers grabbed two more after the break to leave Saracens firmly anchored in mid-table.

The visitors, who were missing six men because of injuries and England commitments, will be disappointed, having been touted as serious challengers for Leicester's title.

Booth too pacey

Tigers went ahead almost immediately when Tim Stimpson landed his first penalty from two metres inside his own half.

The opening exchanges were scrappy and Andy Goode kept Saracens on the back foot with a couple of deep touch-finders.

Australian Tim Horan was at the centre of all the visitors' most best moves and set up their opening score, grabbed by Jannie de Beer

Stimpson then landed two penalties either side of de Beer's effort before Booth's pace created Leicester's second touchdown.

Prop Derek Jelley also managed to get on the scoresheet for Leicester late in the second half.

Goode scored a late consolation drop goal, but it was all over for Saracens.

Booth's fourth try was icing on the cake as he raced from 30 metres out to collect the extra bonus point.

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Leicester:
Stimpson, Booth, Gelderbloom, Kafer, Smith, Goode, Hamilton, Jelley, Chuter, Garforth, Deacon, Kay, W. Johnson, Kronfeld, Short.
Replacements: Freshwater, Manson-Bishop, Holtby, Balding, Ellis, Cockerill, Gustard.

Saracens: <BR>Winnan, Sparg, Horan, Sorrell, O'Mahony, De Beer, Walshe, Harbut, Russell, Phillips, A. Benazzi, Roche, Cheesebrough, Roques, Cole.
Replacements: Cairns, Halsey, K. Benazzi, Peacey, Hampson, Smith, Haughton.

Referee: Steve Leyshon (RFU)