Leicester vs Northampton: Tigers hit back to win 28-7 after half-time brawl

Leicester Tigers came from behind at half-time and ran in four tries without reply to beat Northampton Saints 28-7 at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, in a heavy-rain East Midlands derby whose interval was dominated by a mass scuffle.

The visitors had the better of a low-scoring first half. James Pater struck early, pouncing after Billy Searle failed to hold a speculative kick ahead from Fin Smith, and a long-range Freddie Steward penalty was the only reply. That left Northampton 7-3 up at the break.

Tempers flare at the break

The interval was where the drama began. According to WalesOnline, wing Adam Radwan pushed Alex Mitchell, and the confrontation that followed drew in players from both sides, spilling off the touchline and up the stand towards the changing rooms.

Phil Dowson played the episode down. "In the current game, you can’t throw anything. It’s just push and shove and talk crap," he said.

Four tries without reply

Whatever was said in the changing rooms, Leicester came out a different side. Jamie Blamire, Cameron Henderson and Finn Carnduff all scored, and Steward added the fourth to secure a bonus point.

That last try followed a twist in the discipline. Tom Lockett was sent to the sin-bin for a head clash with Solomone Kata, which meant Radwan's own yellow card was rescinded and he returned to the field. Steward scored from the lineout that followed. Craig Maxwell-Keys was the referee.

"I thought the players really took hold of [the game] in the second half," Geoff Parling said.

Payback for last season's semi-final

The win was payback for Leicester, who lost to Northampton in last season's Premiership play-off semi-finals. BBC Sport noted that Northampton's wait for a league win at Leicester now stretches to four years.

The result leaves Leicester second on the log behind Gloucester, while Northampton drop to fourth.