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Saracens beat Leicester to boost playoff bid

football30 March 2025 16:20| © AFP
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Saracens were rewarded for putting their English Premiership playoff bid ahead of the club's European ambitions as they beat Leicester 29-22 at Welford Road on Sunday.

England stars Maro Itoje and Tom Willis featured in league action for Saracens for a second successive weekend after the Six Nations, meaning they must be left out for Saturday's European Champions Cup visit to Toulon.

But Saracens' gamble paid off with a bonus-point victory that was founded on their quick start and a strong second half.

Ben Earl, Theo Dan, Nick Isiekwe and Alex Goode all came off the bench to deliver influential contributions.

It was Dan's opportunistic 63rd-minute try, made possible by a Leicester line-out error, that proved the difference as sixth-placed Saracens moved within two points of the top four.

Saracens have only missed out on a top-four finish in the Premiership twice since the 2008-09 season.

And they bounced back from the 23-12 loss to Harlequins last week with a far more spirited performance.

Third-placed Leicester were fresh from their 33-0 romp at Northampton, but could not repeat those fireworks in another twist in a tense play-off race.

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