Leicester Tigers v Saracens, player ratings: Freddie Burns on fire while Maro Itoje falls flat

Leicester have won their ninth Gallagher Premiership title after sinking Saracens 15-12 in a pulsating final.

Freddie Burns' drop-goal with 20 seconds of normal time remaining saw Leicester home.

Saracens' hopes of completing a stunning rise from salary-cap scandal and relegation humiliation to regain domestic silverware were dashed by the snarling Tigers.

Leicester overcame the first-half loss of injured talisman George Ford, in his final appearance before joining Sale this summer, to end a nine-year wait for title glory.

So, who were the heroes and villains on a balmy afternoon at Twickenham?

Had a shaky start, but then a brilliant outside break past Daly led to Leicester’s opening try and his 50:22 kick had Saracens under the pump. Thrived as the game went on.

Joined Leicester back in February and look at him now, so lively down the right wing chasing after half-chances and diligently chasing kicks at the age of 35.

Full of energy, chasing after kicks and doing his best to feed Leicester’s wing. Replaced late on by Scott after emptying the tank.

Great hustle to shut down Farrell before he could kick through and few of Leicester’s players graft harder than the Australian. No wonder the Wallabies recently tried to bring him home.

Hared after Wigglesworth’s kicks all afternoon and his pressure led to a Davies error. One of Leicester’s hardest workers, hence his selection out on the wing over other options.

The last game of his second stint with Leicester was sadly over far too early, one very nice run down the outside leaving him in some pain and heading off before half an hour.

The oldest Premiership finalist ever at 39. Failure to roll away gave Saracens three points but responded with a great charge down on Farrell.