Having a double World Cup winner on your team can sometimes make all the difference. There are several reasons why Leicester Tigers managed to overcome an 11-point deficit to secure a thrilling victory against Gloucester under clear skies and gusty winds. Their seasoned substitutes played a significant role, as did improved accuracy in the backline following a disjointed start. They had their share of good fortune and it certainly didn't hurt to face the league's most vulnerable defense. However, a crucial factor was the presence of Handré Pollard at fly-half, who scored a decisive try at the beginning of the second half and contributed nine points in a three-point win.
The Springbok pivot missed a conversion for the first time this season on the 23rd minute, failing to convert Ollie Hassell-Collins' remarkable finish. This miss felt particularly costly as Max Llewellyn soon scored his second try, giving Gloucester a commanding 19-8 lead at halftime. This was not the anticipated outcome for the home crowd.
Shortly after the restart, Leicester opted to tap and go from a penalty close to their try line. A series of quick passes from Julián Montoya found Pollard on a blind run, and after absorbing an initial hit, he powered over the line. Rugby matches often have pivotal moments where momentum shifts, and this was one such moment. As soon as Pollard added the extras, the result seemed almost certain.
Leicester then began to dominate at the point of contact. Their flawless lineout provided a platform for powerful carries. Six minutes after Pollard's try, Freddie Steward made a decisive run from midfield, passing to Josh Bassett for a try in the corner. Gloucester struggled to cope with the increased intensity from their hosts despite their strong first half.
Tomos Williams, who entered the game with the most passes in the Premiership and the second most line breaks, controlled the game at scrum-half, delivering quick passes and clever kicks. His fellow Welshman Llewellyn made significant inroads in midfield. Arthur Clark set up a try for his fellow lock Freddie Thomas with a 50-meter run. When Santiago Carreras tackled Olly Cracknell out of play, the crowd was stunned into silence. Despite Hassell-Collins' try from 20 meters out, Leicester's supporters had little to celebrate.
Pollard and Bassett both scored tries, and when Dan Kelly charged over from close range after sustained pressure on the 65th minute, it seemed Gloucester's resolve had been broken. There would be another twist but no further turning point. As the game slipped away, Llewellyn completed his hat-trick with a close-range try, making it a three-point game with eight minutes left. Leicester held on, perhaps due to their strong defense and a sense of belief, especially after a late knock-on from Josh Hathaway. The winning belief was also bolstered by the presence of seasoned winners.
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