Segun double lifts Saracens past Leicester in 40-38 season opener

Saracens beat Leicester Tigers 40-38 in their league opener on September 27, with Rotimi Segun scoring the winner seven minutes from time. PA reported via RugbyPass that the victory launched Brendan Venter's second spell as director of rugby despite Nick Isiekwe's 20-minute red card.

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Saracens' own match report described a start built on immediate pressure inside Leicester's 22. Juan Martin Gonzalez gathered the ball following an attempted interception to score, before Tobias Elliott finished another attack after the visitors opted to kick a penalty to the corner. That early advantage gave Saracens the lead, but Leicester responded with two tries before the interval.

Solomone Kata delivered Leicester's first score, and Gabriel Hamer-Webb added another after Jack van Poortvliet broke around the breakdown. Saracens then extended their advantage through Elliot Daly, with Max Malins supplying the final pass. According to the club's account, that attack restored a nine-point cushion before half-time after the Tigers had worked their way back into contention.

PA reported that Saracens led 21-12 at the break. Hamer-Webb scored again after play resumed, before Ben Earl answered from close range. The Leicester winger then completed his hat-trick from Aaron Wainwright's pass. Adam Radwan put the hosts ahead in the 54th minute, gathering Van Poortvliet's chip, and Isiekwe received his red card for head contact with Freddie Steward earlier in the move.

Segun brought Saracens back in front after an hour, finishing from Daly's cross-field kick, according to PA. Leicester regained the lead through replacement James Thompson's close-range try, setting up another late lead change. Tarek Haffar's subsequent yellow card preceded the decisive attack, when Malins provided the pass for Segun to score his second try and establish the final two-point margin.

Saracens' report credited their closing defence with protecting the advantage until Charlie Bracken kicked the ball out to end the match. The visitors also secured a try bonus point, earned when Earl crossed for their fourth score. Their next league assignment is a home meeting with Sale Sharks the following Sunday, after an opening away win achieved despite spending part of the second half short-handed.