Leicester Tigers come from 14-0 down to beat Gloucester in English Premiership rugby

Leicester Tigers beat Gloucester 38-31 in the Premiership, England's top-flight rugby union league, at Welford Road. It was Leicester's first home win of the season, while Gloucester lost for the first time this campaign but stayed top of the table by collecting two bonus points.

The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, attended the match. Leicester retained the Slater Cup, a trophy honouring Ed Slater, a former captain of both clubs who retired in 2022 after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).

A difficult start

Leicester began badly when Billy Searle was sent to the sin-bin in the second minute for a deliberate knock-on. Referee Karl Dickson declined to award Gloucester a penalty try, ruling that Leicester had enough players back to cover the threat. The visitors still scored through Jac Morgan and Dian Bleuler, and led 14-0 after about ten minutes.

The comeback

Back at full strength, Leicester replied with tries from Finn Carnduff, Joe Heyes and Jamie Blamire to lead 21-14 at half-time. In the second half, Aaron Wainwright and Ollie Hassell-Collins also crossed, with Gloucester's Will Trenholm scoring in between despite his side being a man down after Freddie Thomas was sin-binned. A 50-22 kick from Searle set up the final Leicester try, finished by Hassell-Collins with Adam Radwan.

Gloucester ended the game strongly: Jack Innard scored in the 79th minute and George Barton kicked an 82nd-minute penalty to secure a losing bonus point.

Coaches' reaction

Leicester head coach Geoff Parling said his team had repeatedly started games poorly this season but that he stayed calm at 14-0 down. Gloucester head coach George Skivington said his side lost too many balls in the first half and failed to make the most of their chances.