Leicester Tigers 38-31 Gloucester Rugby – Gallagher PREM result and reaction as Prince Harry watches Billy Searle's side secure home victory

Leicester Tigers showed their strength as they ran in five tries during a pulsating 38-31 win against Gloucester, a game enjoyed by Prince Harry.

The Cherry & Whites came into the match full of confidence following back-to-back Gallagher PREM wins.

Gloucester showed their set-piece prowess as from early line-outs Jac Morgan and
Dian Bleuler drove over for two tries inside the opening eight minutes.

Leicester saw influential kicker Billy Searle yellow carded during the opening try, but once the hosts returned to 15 men the momentum swung.

The Tigers built phase after phase of forward play and Finn Carnduff pulled a try back, before Joe Heyes forced his side level with 28 minutes played.

Leicester showed their strength with a driving maul, resulting in Jamie Blamire giving the home side a 21-14 half-time lead.

A Searle penalty followed by Aaron Wainwright's maiden try for the club put the game out of sight as the Tigers took control.

When Will Trenholm replied, Ollie Hassell-Collins pounced to restore Leicester’s 17-point lead.

That was before a last-gasp Gloucester charge which saw Jack Innard score a fourth try for a bonus point, and then from the re-start a penalty allowed George Barton to kick them back to seven points for a losing bonus point.

Leicester loose-head prop Archie van der Flier praised his side for coming out on top in their physical encounter against Gloucester.

He said: ”We knew it was going to be a really physical battle.

”That physical battle up front was always going to be big. They've got a quality pack, good back line.

”It was physically fronting up, so we can play our game with the backs. Physically I thought we showed up today.”

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Leicester flanker Aaron Wainwright scored his first try for the club and said that the physical side of the game is to his side’s liking.

He told TNT Sports: ”I think we probably let ourselves down in the first 10 minutes, penalties and then on the back foot.

"You saw the determination of the group and how more in it we were going into the second 20 minutes of the first half, and then we come out for the second half, I thought we played very well."

When asked about out-muscling Gloucester, he replied: ”I think that's our game. I think that's our bread and butter. Once we go out to their 22, it was attritional rugby.”

The Leicester celebrations are muted at the death. The Tigers won the match, but Gloucester rescued two bonus points. It ends 38-31.

The Cherry & Whites have found something special in the last five minutes. Gloucester scored a fourth try and the quick re-start saw the visitors come back. They earn a penalty which Barton slots to gain a losing bonus point at the death.

It’s a big bonus point for Gloucester. From a line-out the driving maul is again unstoppable and Innard grounds it. The conversion by Barton is also an excellent one.

It looks a long way back now for Gloucester heading into the final moments. Gloucester have been out battled and are looking for a late bonus point.

The kicking of Searle has been pivotal to this Leicester performance. He is replaced late on by Woodward.

Moli comes on for Blamire for the final 10 minutes of this match.

Leicester have been excellent with their kicking as Searle matches his team-mate with a 50/22 kick into touch.

 The Tigers move the ball quickly to the opposite wing where Radwan feeds Hassell-Collins. He rides a tackle and grounds the ball.

Searle adds the extras.

The Leicester man kicks the ball almost the length of the field to regain his side momentum. It’s a back 13 minutes for both of these sides.

Some lovely passing for Gloucester looks to have scored them another try. The ball is released out wide to Joseph who is hindered by Whiteley and then has the ball ripped from him by Reffell.

Leicester - Cracknell off for Moro; Whiteley on for Van Poortvliet

Gloucester - Englefield off for Robson

The Cherry & Whites are back in the match. Gloucester were relentless and Morgan refuses to be challenged as he drives forward.

The ball is played outside for Trenholm to score. Barton adds the extras.

Van der Flier off for Vunipola; Hurd on for Heyes; Radwan on for Hamer-Webb

Gloucester - Redshaw off for Barton

Innard on for Lake; Knight on for Fasogbon

It’s a double punishment for Gloucester as Thomas was shown yellow for an infringement in the build-up to that try.

Leicester have been relentless inside the 22 this evening. A lovely Van Poortvliet break takes his side a metre out and Wainwright crosses.

Searle adds the extras.  

Reffell makes an important challenge before getting up and releasing Hassell-Collins. Searle is in pursuit of the ball and Atkinson can only take it out of play.