Rugby Union: Back has decisive influence

Leicester . . . . .28

Northampton. . . . .6

THERE were in this Pilkington Cup semi-final some disturbing omens for the Lions. On the one side Northampton, massively powered, overpowered perhaps, in the tight, but glaringly overstretched in the loose. On the other Leicester were back-pedalling in the scrums and mauls, and in the early stages being beaten to the touch in the line-out. But throughout, superbly well marshalled and oh so fast. My, how they could run, and none to better effect than the astonishing Neil Back.

His omission from the Lions party to tour New Zealand was a surprise at the time of the team's announcement. After yesterday it was a travesty. He achieved more in 60 exquisite seconds of action during one spell in the first half than most ordinary flankers manage in 60 minutes. First he tore into a maul and wrenched the ball free for his backs. Then he was on the other side of the field to thwart a Northampton attack before delivering the most beautifully timed pass to Stuart Potter, who proceeded to lose the ball over the Northampton line in the very act of scoring with Tony Underwood unattended outside him.

Not that it mattered. Northampton were a spent force even at this early stage, the crushing burden of playing against opponents so adept at stealing possession and turning it swiftly and decisively to their advantage had broken them after 20 minutes.

Dean Richards, like Back, had a colossal match. At least the Lions have got that part of their selection right. Richards scored the first of Leicester's three tries. He was the recipient of line-out possession a yard from the Northampton line, and the rest, with his pack behind him, was easy. John Liley, who had twice missed penalty kicks but who had earlier found his range with a counter to Nick Beal's opening penalty, converted from the touchline.

Jez Harris, for so long underrated but now beginning to fill the void left by Les Cosworth, dropped a goal from a scrum before Back came forward again. Matt Dawson, misjudging the strength in depth of the Leicester defence was run to ground behind his own line. Leicester won the ruck and Poole, Rory Underwood and Kardooni all handled before sending the ever-alert and supportive Back over for the try.

It was the kind of move which Northampton had feared from the start. Their team selection, with Beal switching from fly-half, where he had prospered the previous week, to the wing was designed to reduce the threat on the Leicester flanks. And Dawson, clearly under instructions to work the blind side rather than expose his outside backs, was playing a game alien to him. He was half the player as a result and at no stage were Northampton able to create any move of consequence behind the scrum.

It was a difficult day too for David Matthews, the uncomfortable peacemaker between the warring factions of Bath and Wasps last month. Two surly front rows did not help and a game of thrilling intensity was marred by indiscipline.

Between Liley's second penalty on the stroke of half-time and Leicester's final score there was a gap of 34 minutes, but it was worth the wait. Once again Back ripped the ball from Northampton and sent it rippling along the back line to Laurence Boyle, the replacement for the injured Liley, for the try. For Underwood senior it had also been a glorious afternoon. Two tackles, on Beal and Rob MacNaughton, were fit to rank alongside the unforgettable contributions of Back and Richards.

Leicester: J Liley (L Boyle, 53 min); T Underwood, S Potter, I Bates, R Underwood; J Harris, A Kardooni; G Rowntree, R Cockerill, D Garforth, M Johnson, M Poole, J Wells (capt), N Back, D Richards.

Northampton: J Steele (J Ward, 61 min); N Beal, F Packman, R MacNaughton, H Thorneycroft; S Tubb, M Dawson; G Baldwin, J Olver (capt), G Pearce, M Bayfield, J Etheridge, P Walton, T Rodber, W Shelford.

Referee: D Matthews (Liverpool).

Scores: Beal (pen, 9 min, 0-3); Liley (pen, 13 min,

3-3); Richards / Liley (try / con, 18 min, 10-3); Harris (drop goal, 30 min, 13-3); Back / Liley (try / con, 33 min, 20-3); Liley (pen, 40 min, 23-3); Beal (pen, 45 min, 23-6); Boyle (try, 74 min, 28-6).