Segun double seals Saracens 40-38 win at Leicester despite red card

Saracens opened their Prem Rugby season with a 40-38 victory at Leicester Tigers on Sunday, September 27, as Rotimi Segun scored the deciding try seven minutes from time. The result at Mattioli Woods Welford Road gave Brendan Venter a winning start to his second spell as director of rugby, AFP reported.

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The visitors began by putting Leicester under immediate pressure. According to Saracens' official match report, Fergus Burke's kick-off was followed by Tobias Elliott forcing a ball carrier into touch, creating an early attacking opportunity. Juan Martin Gonzalez finished the move after an attempted Leicester interception left the ball available near the try line.

Elliott added another early try, while Elliot Daly also crossed before the interval. AFP reported that Saracens led 21-12 at half-time, but Leicester remained in the contest through Gabriel Hamer-Webb. The Wales winger went on to complete a hat-trick, keeping the home side in contention despite Saracens' fast start and first-half advantage.

Leicester struck quickly after the restart when a Saracens clearance failed to reach touch. The club's account described Aaron Wainwright making the initial break before the ball was moved out to Hamer-Webb. Saracens responded through Ben Earl, whose close-range finish followed a kick to the corner and a series of carries, securing their try bonus point.

The contest then swung against the visitors. Hamer-Webb completed his hat-trick around the 50-minute mark, and Adam Radwan collected a kick behind the defence to put Leicester ahead. Saracens' report confirmed that Nick Isiekwe was also shown a 20-minute red card for an earlier illegal tackle on Freddie Steward, leaving the visitors a player short while trying to recover the lead.

Segun nevertheless scored from Daly's cross-field kick to restore Saracens' advantage just after the hour, according to AFP. Leicester answered again through replacement James Thompson, who crossed from close range. Segun's second try then settled the outcome, leaving Hamer-Webb's three-try contribution without a winning reward and giving Saracens an away victory despite twice falling behind in the second half.