Rotimi Segun scored a late try as Saracens began their Premiership Rugby campaign with a dramatic 40-38 victory over Leicester Tigers on Sunday.
Saracens overcame a 20-minute red card for back-row forward Nick Isiekwe and twice came from behind to secure victory in a high-scoring contest.
Leicester winger Gabriel Hamer-Webb scored a hat-trick, but his efforts were not enough to deny Saracens a winning start under director of rugby Brendan Venter, who has returned for a second spell with the London club.
Saracens took the lead in the second minute when Juan Martin Gonzalez crossed the line after receiving a pass from Tomos Williams.
Tobias Elliott added a second try before the 10-minute mark, while Leicester responded through Hamer-Webb. Elliot Daly then crossed for Saracens to give them a 21-12 lead at half-time.
Hamer-Webb scored twice after the restart, either side of a try by England and Saracens back-row Ben Earl, as Leicester fought their way back into the contest.
The Tigers moved ahead for the first time when Adam Radwan finished from Jack van Poortvliet’s well-executed chip over the Saracens defence.
Saracens had already been reduced to 14 players after Isiekwe was shown a red card for head-on-head contact with Freddie Steward several phases before Radwan’s try.
Despite being a player down, Saracens regained the lead when Segun collected Daly’s precise cross-field kick.
Leicester responded again, with replacement James Thompson forcing his way over from close range to put the hosts ahead.
However, Segun had the final say, sliding over for his second try with seven minutes remaining to seal a thrilling victory for Saracens.
