The Leicester Tigers thread

[Portnoy]

First topic message reminder :

2012/3 may well prove to be a memorable one.

For once, there seems to be (albeit not unplumbable) strength in depth, a fairly healthy squad and a straightforward, uncomplicated international season.

[LondonTiger]

I am confused. Treviso did not have a try disallowed. (Still hate that there is no big Screen, so we have no idea what is going on with TMO decisions)

[VinceWLB]

As the ref reset the original scrum - taking it back to the original mark, were Treviso allowed to replace numbers 1-4 on bloc, or were they meant to wait till the scrum was complete?

They replaced 1-4 before the first 5m scrum i think.

[yappysnap]

I am confused. Treviso did not have a try disallowed. (Still hate that there is no big Screen, so we have no idea what is going on with TMO decisions)

Treviso scored a legitimate try (after Tait's brilliant cover tackle) but unfortunately the ref called a knock on. To be fair everyone thought it was a knock on till we saw the replay.

[LondonTiger]

Ah thanks Yappy - was not aware they crossed the line. While I like being behind the posts for the appreciation of space and running lines (usually poor) it does make it tricky to see what happens at the other end.

[yappysnap]

The pro's and cons of watching live v watching on tv. How was the support at the ground Tiger? It sounded pretty flat on tv but that may just have been the cold and because of the lack of rivalry between the teams.

[LondonTiger]

Very flat. Was the same against bath as well. Match against Saints was the last game with any real atmosphere.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Only pulled 18k as well.

Looking at the crowds for the HC its really not the big draw is it. You can understand why the French are iffy about the whole thing whne they have to travel to scotland in the middle of winter to play infront of 3000

[yappysnap]

It's the constant changing of tournaments that gets me, you get what 3 or 4 weekends of one then suddenly another crops up then you're back to the first after two weekends and then the LV pops it's head in the door to say hello then the 6N's comes to town and suddenly everyone is scrambling for a knock out spot.

Needs to be reorganised, streamlined and played one tournament after the next preferably with the Euro final being the culmination of the season.

[LondonTiger]

At WR we had a fantastic atmosphere (sellout) against Saints at the start of november.

Followed by:

LI in the LV on a sunday evening (17k - I missed it)
Bath in the AP on a Saturday lunchtime with most internationals missing (20k)
Treviso in the HC yesterday evening.

Now Leicester have not been playing especially well - but the constant changing of tournaments and kick off times does not help.

[nathan]

thought Treviso should of been pinged more for not rolling away in the second half. But on the whole they did well to come back, will be an interesting game on the return leg.

Just watched the game and to be fair that try should not have been disallowed for Treviso. They are a tough team at home, tigers might get caught out next week.

Was it not a forward pass in the run up to it? Haven't been able to watch the replay.

[formerly known as Sam]

Was it not a forward pass in the run up to it? Haven't been able to watch the replay.

Knock on. The sky lot thought it was in reference to the Smith follow up on the Treviso winger where the ball clearly came off of Smith. I thought Gori fumbled it over the line personally. There was a lot of contentious over the line issues.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

At WR we had a fantastic atmosphere (sellout) against Saints at the start of november.

Followed by:

LI in the LV on a sunday evening (17k - I missed it)
Bath in the AP on a Saturday lunchtime with most internationals missing (20k)
Treviso in the HC yesterday evening.

Now Leicester have not been playing especially well - but the constant changing of tournaments and kick off times does not help.

It says a lot about the HC that an LV game can draw almost as many fans

[nathan]

Was it not a forward pass in the run up to it? Haven't been able to watch the replay.

Knock on. The sky lot thought it was in reference to the Smith follow up on the Treviso winger where the ball clearly came off of Smith. I thought Gori fumbled it over the line personally. There was a lot of contentious over the line issues.

I mean before that bit, i think one of the commentators may of said something about it too.

[formerly known as Sam]

Pfft nah, the Sky commentators notice so very little.

So what do we reckon needs to be changed for Saturday? I think Cole for Castro, Deacon for Kitchener, Mafi for Slater and Allen for Bowden.

Something like:

Ayerza, T Youngs, Cole
Deacon, Parling
Mafi, Waldrom, Salvi
B Youngs, Ford
Allen, Tuilagi
Morris, Murphy, Tait

Bench: Mulipola, Stevens, Castro, Slater, Crane, Young, Flood (if fit if not Bowden) Smith.

Go big and powerful but mix it with experience so when the pressure is on we are not lacking in leadership.

[nathan]

Pfft nah, the Sky commentators notice so very little.

So what do we reckon needs to be changed for Saturday? I think Cole for Castro, Deacon for Kitchener, Mafi for Slater and Allen for Bowden.

Something like:

Ayerza, T Youngs, Cole
Deacon, Parling
Mafi, Waldrom, Salvi
B Youngs, Ford
Allen, Tuilagi
Morris, Murphy, Tait

Bench: Mulipola, Stevens, Castro, Slater, Crane, Young, Flood (if fit if not Bowden) Smith.

Go big and powerful but mix it with experience so when the pressure is on we are not lacking in leadership.

It was the ozzy bloke, he tends to talk sense. Will Allen be back by then?

[LondonTiger]

Not sure if Mafi is fit yet, nor how long Allen has to rest for the concussion. My prediction is a lineup that looks something like:

Ayerza, Youngs, Cole, Deacon, Parling, Deacon (unless Mafi is fit), Salvi, Crane
Youngs, Ford, Smith, Allen, Manu, Hamilton, Tait

Mulipola, Chutes, Castro, Kitchener, Waldrom, Young, Bowden, Murphy

[formerly known as Sam]

There was rumours Allen was fit but rested last weekend as the away fixture was always going to be tougher. Mafi there's been no news on which would probably mean a niggle as serious injuries are generally announced. Flood should be fit as he was tipped as an option for last Sunday.

Can't see him dropping Waldrom.

[LondonTiger]

I would be amazed that after the length of time he was knocked out for that Allen had not triggered the various concussion scales.

My thoughts on Crane v Waldrom is that Thomas needs a rest at some point - and the more physical game of Crane could be useful at first. But Cockers tends not to make too many changes unless forced.

[formerly known as Sam]

Yet he moved the team around quite a bit for last weekend. I expect him to mix it up a little for this weekend. I think the Tank could do with a bit of a rest but we need that go forward and Crane could come on after 50 mins to give him a break. If Slater is on the bench he can offer additional backrow cover anyway.

Allen will remain a mystery as concussion is a fickle mistress. If he isn't fit I'd like to see Flood at 12.

[formerly known as Sam]

Just heard the injury news on the radio. No Mafi, Flood or Goneva. Allen and Deacon both fit.

[yappysnap]

Gotta say that at the moment Crane is a long way behind TTT and that is saying something, I guess it's that he's been out so long but the games i've watched if he wasn't wearing the scrum cap I'd never have noticed him.

[formerly known as Sam]

Crane has worked hard but is clearly not fully fit and a long way from his best form. His captaincy won us the game vs the Ospreys.

[yappysnap]

Really? What did he do?

[formerly known as Sam]

Talked the referee round. A gentle word to the ref after a scrum penalty saw Bevington recieve a YC at the next scrum as Cole destroyed him. How many scrum yellow cards do you see on the half way line in the first half? In the second half when Ayerxa looked like getting the same treatment Crane got to the ref and had talked his hand out of his pocket before Ayerza had trudged up to the official. The flourish that killed off the Ospreys in that game would not have been possible with 14 men.

To be fair he was helped by Alun Wyn Jones acting like a fool and shouting at the ref like an outrages footballer for most of the game.

Think the rugby brain is still there but Crane's body hasn't quite caught back up yet.

[king_carlos]

I'd agree that Crane's body still seems to be catching up with how he plays the game. That's only to be expected though given how long he's been out.

It will be interesting to see if he permanently replaces Waldrom as first choice when fit though. He would be up their with my front runners for the captaincy when Geordan hangs up his boots. Mind there are a few who could take those duties on with the leaders in the squad - Deacon,Flood,Allen,Cole,Hamilton etc. I'd have Crane and Deacon top of my list though.

[formerly known as Sam]

Crane and Deacon will be top of the list. Allen is a fair bet as well.

I think that Tigers are sometimes a little short of leadership. With both Deacon and Crane suffering with long term injuries we aren't necessarily flushed with the options we were a few years ago. Ben Youngs is an outside chance and long term I think Ford may step up to the job.

To be an honest I think Tigers need to do some serious recruiting next off season. That's after they sort out new deals for Salvi, Parling and Ford as we need those three on board.

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

ESPN are reporting that Gloucester are tapping up Deacon. Lucky for us the 12 shirt there is already taken

[formerly known as Sam]

Louis or Brett (again)?

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Weren't they also rumoured to be sniffing around after Parling as well?
What is this Cherry-Aid?

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

Sorry parling my mistake. Although if they can't get him chasing up the one who might actually be available for so games wouldn't be a bad idea. Cockerill doesn't sound too confident of hanging on to mafi either

[Portnoy's Complaint]

A squad of 45 within a £4.5m cap is still a £100k average so lord knows how much Cole, Flood, Ben Youngs, Manu, etc. are earning. As each year passes retention is becoming very expensive.

Somebody will have to remind me how much a marquee player (must be Cole) can be paid outside the cap. But it's becoming nigh impossible to keep a competitive squad assembled particularly with the lures of France and Japan.

If the Tigers can't compete on its revenues then how do the others fare?

[king_carlos]

It would be heart-breaking to see Parling go after he's improved to much with the Tigers. Parling,Deacon,Kitchener,Slater,Mafi looks very strong but remove Parling from top of the pile and an injury could leave us looking short in a key position.

What's the latest on Deacon's injury status? I haven't heard much recently - not that I've had much time to keep up to be honest!

On the current squad though if Croft returns to fitness it would be a good test of how Tom Youngs line-out throwing has improved. A line-out with Parling,Kitchener and Croft jumping should be very dangerous if Youngs hits his marks.

[HongKongCherry]

I can't see the Parling rumour being true, even though we could guarantee him the starting 5 spot You guys don't lose that many first teamers to other Jeff sides. You only lost 36 because you undervalued and under used him.

Glaws will be linked to just about every lock going as its an area we desperately need strengthening. It seems we're being heavily linked to Nick Kennedy and Matt Garvey as well.

[formerly known as Sam]

What's the latest on Deacon's injury status?

Rested last week but playing this week. Think he may have had a little knock which forced the rest.

It seems we're being heavily linked to Nick Kennedy and Matt Garvey as well.

I think everyone is being linked with those two. LI are precariously placed so Garvey is seen as an easy target and Kennedy is desperate to leave Toulon.

[nathan]

Rolland as useless as always, was never a penalty try that far out. Yellow maybe, try no.

[TJ1]

How far it was it? My feed fell over at the wrong moment. Looked like they were charging forward and no way of legally stopping it. It was as clear a deliberate penalty as you get.

[nathan]

How far it was it? My feed fell over at the wrong moment. Looked like they were charging forward and no way of legally stopping it. It was as clear a deliberate penalty as you get.

It was still about 15m out, certainly not a 100% try!

[nathan]

Again there allowed to drive up in the scrum....

[nathan]

Lazy runners....

[TJ1]

How far it was it? My feed fell over at the wrong moment. Looked like they were charging forward and no way of legally stopping it. It was as clear a deliberate penalty as you get.

It was still about 15m out, certainly not a 100% try!

Hmmmmmmmmmm they were trotting forward were they not. I understand why he gave it and its fair enough. could the maul have been stopped legally?

[nathan]

Cole is being driven up god dammit!

[TJ1]

Looked like it that time for sure.

[nathan]

How far it was it? My feed fell over at the wrong moment. Looked like they were charging forward and no way of legally stopping it. It was as clear a deliberate penalty as you get.

It was still about 15m out, certainly not a 100% try!

Hmmmmmmmmmm they were trotting forward were they not. I understand why he gave it and its fair enough. could the maul have been stopped legally?

15 metres out there was still time for players to get up and back into the mual. So yes it could of been legally stopped.

[HammerofThunor]

How far it was it? My feed fell over at the wrong moment. Looked like they were charging forward and no way of legally stopping it. It was as clear a deliberate penalty as you get.

It was still about 15m out, certainly not a 100% try!

What was quite funny was the Treviso 7 joined the maul at the side just before Salvi did.

[TJ1]

Tigers look a bit of a blunt axe. treviso scrum giving them a hard time

[nathan]

Tigers look a bit of a blunt axe. treviso scrum giving them a hard time

Not always legal though but Rolland is letting it go. Tigers error's are costing them.

[nathan]

Not a yellow at all! Rolland rubbish again!

[TJ1]

Or consistently tough?

[nathan]

Youngs needs subbing, passing is rubbish!

[nathan]

Or consistently tough?

He would of given us a penalty try if he was consistent.

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