Leicester make first European final for 12 years on defining night for Steve Borthwick

It was a night for cliches and drama in a game of two halves where Leicester limped through the first period before a heroic show from the hosts and man of the match George Ford in the second earned them their first European final since the 2009 Heineken Cup. It was also an emotional night for Leicester as they paid tribute before kick-off to former player and long-time commentator Bleddyn Jones, who passed away this week.

With no English interest remaining in the Champions Cup, there was added incentive for Leicester and Bath, who take on Montpellier on Saturday, after it was announced that the Challenge Cup final as well as its big brother would both be played at Twickenham. However, any Tigers fans who had logged on to buy some of the 10,000 tickets which went on sale before kick-off on Friday night may have had buyers’ remorse in the early stages of the encounter, as not only did Ulster score two tries in the opening 20 minutes but the Irish province were utterly dominant in possession and territory.

Leicester captain and hooker Tom Youngs believes that two narrow losses in the Premiership against Bath and Northampton were the catalyst for his side’s second-half comeback. “Ulster came at us big time in the first half,” he said. “We learnt from losing some close games in the last few weeks. To close the game down like we did, what we learnt from the last two weeks really helped us,” he said.

There were certainly blushes for Steve Borthwick’s side, particularly with Lions coaches Gregor Townsend and Steve Tandy casting a beady eye from the quiet stands. However, it would be the influence of the England trio of Ford, Ellis Genge and Ben Youngs, who came on as an early second-half replacement, that led the resistance.

Borthwick heaped the praise on Ford and Genge for their input after the victory. “Both players have been magnificent at the club on and off the field since coming back from England. Their influence has been magnificent, they gave us leadership and direction.”

Interestingly, Borthwick – who would not get swept up in the excitement of the Twickenham final, instead pointing to next week’s league game against Sale – was quick to talk about the positive influence Eddie Jones had on him this week after the England head coach was criticised when it emerged he had been coaching New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett at Suntory Sungoliath in recent weeks.

“I know there has been a lot of talk about Eddie this week but he and the England coaching team are always in touch with us. I was just talking to Eddie this week, I had a few questions for him and wanted to bounce ideas off him. He is always looking for ways for England to get better, always learning,” said Borthwick indicating that Jones could have been learning as much from Barrett as the player was from him.

Ireland's internationals had the brighter show in the first half. Iain Henderson, a 2017 Lions tourist, went over for Ulster’s opening try and the grittiness the club captain brought to his side certainly did his chances no harm. The visitors’ second try scorer, Billy Burns, would not be on the Lions radar but looked very comfortable as he popped over in the corner.

Leicester’s South African back row Jasper Wiese was almost the villain for the hosts as he got over enthusiastic in handbags at the end of the first half and referee Pascal Gauzere had to check with the TMO if his punch had made contact. He atoned just minutes into the second half as he bulldozed over for a try.

Borthwick made a number of changes, including the introduction of Youngs, and Leicester dominated the third quarter. His telepathy with Ford helped to flip the script.

Genge took Leicester ahead for the first time since the opening minutes with a neat pass from Ford. It was the fly-half who put his side six points ahead with the conversion and nine points clear just before the hour mark with a drop goal.

The game became scrappier as a raft of replacements came on but Tigers’ Argentine Matias Moroni made an epic turnover in his own half just after the hour mark. However, Ulster clawed their way back with a try from No 8 Nick Timoney taking it to a two-point game.

With six minutes left, Leicester looked to have sealed the game with a try in the corner from wing Guy Porter. Ulster continued to battle but Ford kicked away any threats in the dying moments. A defining night for Borthwick, Ford and Leicester, which seals a big day out at Twickenham next month.