Jamie Blamire scored two tries for Leicester Tigers, with George Martin, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Adam Radwan and Freddie Steward also crossing; Northampton’s defeat is just their second of the Gallagher Prem season; Saracens beat Bristol 41-26 to boost play-off hopes
Last Updated: 09/05/26 8:35pm
Leicester Tigers defeated Northampton Saints in a ill-tempered East Midlands derby
Leicester Tigers bolstered their Gallagher Prem title hopes with an impressive 41-17 victory over Northampton Saints in a feisty East Midlands derby.
Hooker Jamie Blamire crossed for a brace of tries as Leicester bared their title-chasing teeth, with local rivals Northampton failing to extend their lead at the top of the table and falling to just their second league defeat of the season.
Geoff Parling’s side produced a convincing and commanding display to show they mean business in the final stretch of the season, running in six tries and dominating throughout to move within five points of top spot.
Saints arrived hoping to clinch a bonus-point win to secure their play-off place but experienced their first loss of 2026, as Leicester – in front of a sell-out home crowd at Mattioli Woods Welford Road – celebrated a huge psychological victory in the title race.
The contest saw a record number of cards for this fixture – five yellows, while Tigers’ Izaia Perese got a late red card.
Northampton suffer setback in fiery derby
Leicester dominated the first half and secured three tries to carve out a 19-5 interval lead. James O’Connor – who replaced the injured Billy Searle – was outstanding at No 10, as the veteran Australia international created momentum and pressure for his side.
England lock George Martin opened the scoring as he had the easiest of tasks to saunter across the line unchallenged after the ball was moved wide. Saints – warned about indiscipline after a series of penalties – also lost No 8 Callum Chick to the sin bin for offside in the build-up.
The away side lit up this contest with a stunning try, carrying the ball swiftly from inside their own half before Fraser Dingwall finally offloaded to Tommy Freeman, who strolled over to draw level – on 51 tries – with Ben Cohen as Northampton’s record Premiership scorer.
Tigers replied with Martin driving forward and then the backs moved the ball wide to Ollie Hassell-Collins, to waltz pass George Furbank for a try in the left corner. O’Connor converted and repeated the act a few minutes later when Blamire ploughed over for the hosts’ third try from close range.
O’Connor kicked an early second-half penalty before the hosts took full charge, with Jack van Poortvliet’s sublime volley over the defence pounced on by Adam Radwan to dive over.
Saints lost Josh Kemeny to the sin bin for foul play in stopping another potential Leicester try. Both Tigers prop Joe Heyes and Northampton replacement hooker Craig Wright followed him off the field following a bust-up, after Blamire had claimed another try for the home side from a driving maul.
When full-back Freddie Steward raced through a gap to cross over, the game was finished as a contest and Saints turned to Henry Pollock off the bench. He was immediately threatened with punishment by referee Matthew Carley after a clash with Hanro Liebenberg.
Tigers’ replacement hooker Charlie Clare was sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm to Wright’s head at a ruck, while George Hendy scored a try from Pollock’s pass.
There was still more drama, with replacement wing Perese given a 20-minute red card after 75 minutes for causing a clash of heads with Furbank. Freeman crossed for his second try, but Leicester were already celebrating a significant victory.
Saracens keep play-off bid on track with win at Bristol
Saracens survived two late yellow cards to keep alive their hopes of an end of season Gallagher Prem play-off spot after a 41-26 win at Bristol.
Their bonus-point win saw them reduce the gap to Exeter and Bristol, who both remain just ahead of the London club. Bristol were their own worst enemies in the first half conceding 34 points from poor tackling and the deficit proved too great to overcome.
Saracens’ tries came from Tom Willis, Hugh Tizard, Rotimi Segun, Ben Earl, Tobias Elliott and Fergus Burke, who added a penalty and three conversions. Owen Farrell also kicked a conversion.
Fitz Harding, Harry Thacker, Matias Moroni and Kalaveti Ravouvou scored Bristol’s tries with Tom Jordan converting three.
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