Saracens 24 Leicester Tigers 10: Super Michael Rhodes ensures European champions do not miss injured Maro Itoje in dominant win

MARO ITOJE had to watch as stand-in Michael Rhodes pinched his bubbly.

South African flanker Rhodes was out of position in the second-row but not out of place at Allianz Park.

The 28-year-old’s heroic shift for the Premiership champions against Leicester earned him the man of the match champagne.

And proving he is no Maro-lite, Rhodes expects a long stint in the tight five with Itoje sidelined by a broken hand and George Kruis out until next month after an ankle operation.

Rhodes said: “I think Maro is a bit upset I am taking his rewards.

“He normally gets about five or six MOTMs in a row so it’s good to take one off him.

“It’s good to help the club out, but it’s tough in the engine room and I’ll have to get used to it now!

“We front up every week, it’s a long season and we pride ourselves in putting it out there every weekend.”

First-half tries by wingers Chris Wyles and Sean Maitland — plus nine points from the boot of Red Rose fly-half Owen Farrell — put Mark McCall’s side on the way to a sixth win out of seven  in the league so far.

England No 8 Billy Vunipola bundled over after the break but Saracens missed out on a bonus point and centre George Catchpole dabbed down a late consolation for Tigers, who scored another five points thanks to Owen Williams’ kicks.

Frustrated Welford Road boss Richard Cockerill admitted: “It was tough but I am pleased we stayed in the battle and were playing for points at the end.

“The first half was difficult for us.

“We probably didn’t kick the ball as much as we would have liked and got stuck in that battle.

“But I thought the bench was huge and the lads came on to give us some life.

“It was all hands to the pump and the game was all but over at 24-3 and we had nothing but to throw the kitchen sink at them.

“We can build on that effort and spirit — but we could have been better and it’s disappointing.”