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Saturday 15 March 2014

Talking Rugby: No code like the old code

FIRST Jack Rowell was at it. Then Dean Richards. Now the whole of Leicester has piled in behind the big man. Nothing changed there, then, but they are all headed in the wrong direction.

12:00AM BST 05 Oct 2000

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Leicester Scott Hamilton: One of Leicester's better attackers but unable to break free to do real damage. 6 Horacio Agulla: Another individual who wriggled and squirmed but who could not escape Saracens clutches. 6 Matt Smith: One wonderful catch after kick/chase in the first half but Manu Tuilagi would have been more of a threat. 5 Anthony Allen: Forced to act as temporary scrum-half in the opening minutes during which he fired one pass into the Heavens. Ordinary elsewhere. 5 Alesana Tuilagi: Devastating in space, but often double-teamed by Saracens defenders. Nearly escaped Brits tackle late on. 8 Toby Flood: Did well to slow ball down as Saracens threatened to go two scores clear in first period but not his finest match by a long way. 5 Ben Youngs: Binned within first five minutes for preventing quick ball and never really recovered. No rhythm, no space, no penetration. 5 Marcos Ayerza: Did not have the pace to stop Brits as he set up Saracens first try. Adequate at scrum-time. 5 George Chuter: The old warrior looked his age. Gave away penalty for Saracens to get to 6-6 and was anonymous thereafter. 4 Martin Castrogiovanni: A strong effort. Some big tackles and a scrummaging performance which grew in stature throughout first half. Lost it a bit later though. 7 Steve Mafi: Gave away penalties and struggled to cope with the numbers Saracens sent in to breakdowns. 4 George Skivington: Was part of a front five who were not as authoritative as vintage Leicester combinations. 5 Tom Croft: Quiet early on but forceful on the ball in the final quarter as the rest tired. 7 Craig Newby: Suspiciously late with tackle on Farrell in first half but was Leicester's lone forager on the floor. Did well. 7 Jordan Crane: Mr Industry. Always on or near the ball but found it difficult to make real inroads. Very prominent in Leicester's final assault. 7 Replacements: No real heroes from the bench. They all came on to try to provide momentum but failed. 6 Saracens Alex Goode: Wayward with a floppy drop goal attempt in first half. More effective later in the game but does get careless. 7 David Strettle: Impressively quick-footed. Always dangerous in possession but too easily bounced out of the way by Tuilagi on one occasion. 7 Chris Wyles: Mot much to rave about in attack but part of a well-organised defensive line. 6 Brad Barritt: Steady Eddie which in a game of small margins is a compliment. Not the break-through contribution he was hoping for. 6 James Short: Took his opportunity really well for Saracens' try. Also was a fine kick-chaser. 8 Owen Farrell: Offered more variety than usual. Some of his kicking out of hand was spot on and he nailed his penalty attempts. 8 Neil de Kock: Started slowly but improved rapidly. Some fine breaks in which he stretched Leicester defenders towards end of first half. 7 Matt Stevens: Lost his footing at times and not as effective on the carry or in the tight as he would have hoped. Had his moments though. 6 Schalk Brits: Sensational. Made a try for Short, nearly conjured another soon after, scragged Tuilagi in the second half. The man was everywhere. 9 Carlos Nieto: Was responsible for superb Saracens attack towards end of first half when he demolished Ayerza. The old man done good. 8 Steve Borthwick: Very influential on his own and always on at referee Wayne Barnes in an attempt to influence the game. Impressive. 8 Mouritz Botha: Very sound around the restarts whether in defence or attack. The engine powering Saracens' forward effort. 7 Kelly Brown: Forced the penalty that mattered, the one that lifted the Leicester siege and secured the victory. 7 Jacques Burger: A truly punishing tackler. Got through an enormous amount of defensive work. 8 Ernst Joubert: Worked the lineout well. Hands let him down once or twice but he was a regular carrier. 7 Alex Goode and Owen Farrell brandish the Aviva Premiership trophy after Saracens defeated Leicester 22-18  

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