Murphy in trouble as the cavalry can’t save his Tigers
CLOSE-UP
MANU TUILAGI Leicester outside-centre
Tuilagi charged back onto the club stage like a bull but still ended frustrated and on the losing side. The centre was pumped up for his first club appearance since the World Cup and set up one try for Jonny May. Slade failed to last a full half before limping out of the action with a leg injury sustained in contact but he had looked sharp and was finding gaps in the Tigers defence with his silky running skills.
GEORDAN Murphy was forced to apologised after turning the Christmas air blue at Welford Road as Exeter inflicted another despairing defeat on his struggling Tigers. The Leicester boss allowed his frustrations to overflow at the end of the game when he was involved in an altercation with a supporter sitting nearby.
Festive goodwill and spirit were lost for a while and fingers were pointed in anger before tempers cooled. Murphy poured cold water on the incident, which came after his side saw their 22-14 lead end up as another crushing loss which leaves them one place off the bottom of the table.
The Irishman insisted: “I was frustrated at some of the decisions being made on the field and I said something I shouldn't have.
There was a profanity and when I turned round I realised there were kids around and I apologised. He was quite happy about it.” The pressure of trying to turn around Tigers' fortunes is clearly starting to affect Murphy, whose side are now just 17 points above Saracens and have won only one of their six Premiership games. They were overwhelmed by an outstanding Exeter second half display with the Devon club rising to the top of the table with a bonus point win.
Boss Rob Baxter toasted his Chiefs as they defied the return of Tigers' England posse to fire their way to the top of the Premiership. He said: “We looked a million dollars in the second half and you have to give credit to the boys who showed real maturity because we made a chunk of changes after the European games and they have beaten a strong Leicester team with all their England lads back.”
Tigers had England's Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Ellis Genge and Dan Cole on display for the first time since returning from the World Cup. For 40 minutes they made a huge difference. South African lock Jannes Kirsten grabbed an early try for Chiefs, picking the ball up from a ruck and using his strength to drive over for a fine effort. Tigers replied with interest and produced their best half of rugby so far this season. The elusive May managed to burst over following a fine move involving Telusa Veainu and Adam Thompstone.
Ford's perfect chip created the chance. Flanker Jordan Taufua scooped up the ball and showed real strength and determination to charge across for a quick second to mark his home debut. He left Stuart Hogg on his backside as he ran over him.
May followed up with his second from Tuilagi's pass before flanker Don Armand crashed over for the first of his brace before the break. Gareth Steenson converted but Ford's penalty gave Leicester an eight-point lead.
Gareth Steenson reduced the lead with an early second half penalty and Armand crashed over for his second try to wipe out the home side's advantage. Steenson's conversion nudged the visitors back in front and the game took a completely different direction for the remaining 20 minutes. A flowing Chiefs move across the back line led to giant lock Jonny Hill bursting over for the bonus point try also converted by Steenson
