The most enthralling match of the Premiership season ended with both coaches spitting blood over red cards to Alesana Tuilagi and potential England captain Tom Wood at Welford Road.

Tigers coach Richard Cockerill and Jim Mallinder, his Saints counterpart, claimed referee Wayne Barnes should have issued nothing more than two yellow cards following the first-half incident. But Tuilagi was banished to the dressing-room in the 15th minute and, moments later. Wood followed him down the tunnel after the Samoan had clashed with Northampton's Chris Ashton.

On the way: Steve Mafi of Leicester Tigers celebrates

Wood appeared to ram Tuilagi into the
hoardings, and as the giant centre fought to free himself, a general
punch-up broke out, which both coaches later dismissed as 'handbags'.
But the battle was so fierce a pitch-side TV camera man needed treatment
for a head injury.

Cockerill described the flashpoint as a 'massive
overreaction' by Barnes and his assistants, who collaborated before
reducing a pulsating derby to 14-a-side contest.

Early bath: Northampton's Tom Wood is sent off

The coach fears
Tuilagi's dismissal will cost him a place in the key Heineken Cup battle
at Clermont Auvergne next Sunday, saying: 'Can someone tell me what
Alesana did to warrant a red card? He got pulled off the pitch by his
hair and then a fracas broke out.'

Over she goes: Toby Flood converts

Mallinder was equally unimpressed,
saying: 'A couple of yellow cards would have been better.'

The sendings
off did nothing to spoil the occasion for a 24,000 capacity crowd. But
the loss of flanker Wood was crucial, as Saints' pack took a pounding
before Mallinder sent on Samu Manoa to add some ballast to his pack.

Matt Smith needed the approval of the TV adjudicator as Leicester led
15-6 at the break. Ryan Lamb and Toby Flood each scored two penalties,
though the latter fluffed.

Tigers were looking unbeatable when Ben
Youngs scored a try. But Saints launched a battling revival only to come
up just short.