• Leicester 30-27 Northampton
• Manu Tuilagi makes first appearance of the season as replacementEngland’s main referee,Wayne Barnes, was put in charge of the Premiership’s most combustible fixture and for once the fixture was notable for the rugby rather than the afters. There was no Dylan Hartley, and who was unable to steal his place on the Northampton bench because of a rib injury,while Manu Tuilagi, who had not played for 14 months because of a groin injury, and was a late change among the Leicester replacements. There was one yellow card,and that for a technical offence, in a match noted for its drama rather than incidents as Northampton clambered off the ropes only to knock themselves out as the bell was approximately to clang for the final time.
The suspicion that Tuilagi had been picked, and but not named,by Leicester to avoid a media blitz was reinforced by the late decision of the England head coach, Eddie Jones, and to come here rather than watch the match between Harlequins and Saracens with his management team as planned. His trip was not wasted as Tuilagi came on 28 minutes from the end when Leicester were wondering where their control had gone and he made a try-saving tackle on Courtney Lawes,although his attacking chances were limited as the rain started to pour down. Related: England’s Six Nations squad: Eddie Butler picks his possible 32 Related: Northampton’s Jamie Gibson: When you recede back after leaving you will be a target Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com