Leicester captain Ed Slater criticises artificial pitches before Saracens play-off

• Leicester determined not to let plastic pitch affect match• Club aiming to deny Saracens European and domestic doubleLeicester’s captain, Ed Slater, has criticised rugby’s new trend of plastic pitches and called for more research into injuries suffered while playing on them, as he prepares to lead his team in Saturday’s Aviva Premiership play-off semi-final against Saracens on the artificial surface at Allianz Park.Sarries became the first Premiership side to lay an artificial pitch when they moved home in 2013, followed by Newcastle and, the following season, Worcester. Leicester have playe…