Prem Round 1

Friday
Bristol v Saracens -
19:45

Saturday
Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs
15:00
Northampton Saints v Gloucester
15:00
Worcester Warriors v London Irish
15:00
Sale v Bath
17:00

Sunday
Newcastle Falcons v Quins
15:00

Saracens team to play Bristol Bears:

1 Ralph Adams-Hale
2 Tom Woolstencroft
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Nick Isiekwe
5 Tim Swinson
6 Jackson Wray (c)
7 Ben Earl
8 Billy Vunipola
9 Aled Davies
10 Alex Lozowski
11 Rotimi Segun
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Dom Morris
14 Alex Lewington
15 Elliott Obatoyinbo

Replacements:
16 Kapeli Pifeleti
17 Richard Barrington
18 Alec Clarey
19 Callum Hunter-Hill
20 Sean Reffell
21 Joe Simpson
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Ben Harris

Bristol Bears team to face Saracens
1. Jake Woolmore
2. Harry Thacker
3. Max Lahiff
4. Ed Holmes
5. Chris Vui
6. Steven Luatua (c)
7. Dan Thomas
8. Nathan Hughes.
9. Andy Uren;
10. Callum Sheedy
11. Ioan Lloyd
12. Alapati Leiua
13. Piers O’Conor
14. Luke Morahan
15. Charles Piutau

System players:
16. Will Capon
17. Yann Thomas
18. Jake Armstrong
19. Dave Attwood
20. Jake Heenan
21. Harry Randall
22. Sam Bedlow
23. Niyi Adeolokun

Looks like the Premiership was smart to have a big game like Bristol-Saracens to open the season. Should have good tv ratings in addition to a presumed sell-out crowd.

Lot's of good matches this weekend. Though I would have liked to see more regional derbies to start things off. This can't be perfect, but something like:
Bristol-Exeter
Bath-Gloucester
Saints-Tigers
Quins-Saracens (in HQ?)
Sale-Nuke
and we already have Worcs-LI

Well if you wanted to accomplish the derby thing you could given LI the week off and had Worcester Vs Wasps. Maybe even bringing back the double header at HQ, give Worcester the bye and have LI Vs Wasps.

I'd actually prefer the derby game weekender to be a Christmas thing.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well if you wanted to accomplish the derby thing you could given LI the week off and had Worcester Vs Wasps. Maybe even bringing back the double header at HQ, give Worcester the bye and have LI Vs Wasps.

I'd actually prefer the derby game weekender to be a Christmas thing.

I like your suggestion about Worcs-Wasps, or even the HQ double header. Still plenty of options for holiday derbies as well, an idea which also make great sense.

doctor_grey wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Well if you wanted to accomplish the derby thing you could given LI the week off and had Worcester Vs Wasps. Maybe even bringing back the double header at HQ, give Worcester the bye and have LI Vs Wasps.

I'd actually prefer the derby game weekender to be a Christmas thing.

I like your suggestion about Worcs-Wasps, or even the HQ double header.  Still plenty of options for holiday derbies as well, an idea which also make great sense.    

More likely to attract fans than 12s as well...

I forgot Mr Swinson was still at Sarries, in fact I thought he retired altogether but that must have been from Scotland duty. Good to see Callum Hunter-Hill in the match day squad, hopefully he gets on and shows Mr Townsend what he is capable of .

Anyway, my predictions (go easy on me lol) :

Saracens 25-20 Bristol
Leicester 23-39 Exeter
Northampton 26-24 Gloucester
Worcester 25-42 London Irish (I can't believe Cowan has left LI)
Sale 15-17 Bath
Newcastle 10-29 Harlequins.

Swinson came out of retirement to play for Sarries. Apparently they are the team he supported growing up. Signed a one year extension in the summer.

Falcons v QUins

15 Tom Penny,
14 Adam Radwan,
13 Ben Stevenson,
12 Pete Lucock,
11 Iwan Stephens,
10 Brett Connon,
9 Louis Schreuder;

1 Logovi’i Mulipola,
2 George McGuigan,
3 Trevor Davison,
4 Greg Peterson,
5 Sean Robinson,
6 Philip van der Walt,
7 Will Welch (captain),
8 Carl Fearns.

Replacements: 16 Jamie Blamire, 17 Kyle Cooper, 18 Mark Tampin, 19 Marco Fuser, 20 Connor Collett, 21 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Will Haydon-Wood, 23 George Wacokecoke.

No MIke Brown...

Thats a big back row...and a very lightweight set of backs...

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BACK
NEWS
Rugby News
Team News | Tigers side for season-opener
17 September 2021 12:00
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Steve Borthwick has named the Leicester Tigers matchday squad for the Gallagher Premiership season-opener against Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.

Ellis Genge will lead the side for the first time in a Premiership fixture at Mattioli Woods Welford Road since being appointed club captain.

The 26-year-old is named alongside Nic Dolly – in his first Premiership start – and Dan Cole in the Tigers front row, with Harry Wells and Calum Green paired as the Leicester locks.

Vice-captain Hanro Liebenberg starts at No8, with Tigers Academy graduates George Martin and Tommy Reffell the flankers. 

Ben Youngs and George Ford are the starting half-backs, with Dan Kelly and Matt Scott named as the centre pairing in the Leicester midfield. 

Nemani Nadolo and Harry Potter are the wings in the Tigers back three with full-back Freddie Steward. 

Among the replacements, Borthwick includes a trio of Tigers to make their debut appearances in Tom Cowan-Dickie, Eli Snyman and Francois van Wyk, who are joined by Nephi Leatigaga and Ollie Chessum as the forwards on the bench. Jack van Poortvliet, Freddie Burns and Guy Porter are the replacement backs.

Previewing the season-opener at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, Borthwick said: “We enjoyed the chance to be back playing in front of Leicester Tigers supporters during the pre-season and are pleased we have the opportunity to start the new season with them on Saturday.

“We have had a good pre-season and laid some strong foundations for the campaign ahead, with a lot of hard work from each player on and off the pitch.”

Speaking about Saturday’s opponents, the Tigers head coach added: “The Chiefs have been the benchmark side in the league for more than half the past decade, appearing in every Premiership final since 2016.

“It is a squad packed with internationals and a wealth of experience who have also played together for a long time, which will be a good test for our group at this point on our journey against a team of this quality."

STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [35]
14 Harry Potter [16]
13 Matt Scott [25]
12 Dan Kelly [20]
11 Nemani Nadolo [16]
10 George Ford [105]
9 Ben Youngs [264]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [89]
2 Nic Dolly [3]
3 Dan Cole [264]
4 Harry Wells [124]
5 Calum Green [60]
6 George Martin [17]
7 Tommy Reffell [47]
8 Hanro Liebenberg (vc) [36]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Tom Cowan-Dickie **
17 Francois van Wyk **
18 Nephi Leatigaga [42]
19 Eli Snyman **
20 Ollie Chessum [8]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [21]
22 Freddie Burns [76]
23 Guy Porter [17]

** denotes Leicester Tigers senior debut

Exeter Chiefs: 15 Josh Hodge, 14 Jack Nowell, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Devoto, 11 Tom O'Flaherty, 10 Joe Simmonds, 9 Jack Maunder; 1 Alec Hepburn, 2 Jack Innard, 3 Harry Williams, 4 Will Witty, 5 Sean Lonsdale, 6 Jannes Kirsten, 7 Don Armand, 8 Rus Tuima
Replacements: 16 Jack Yeandle, 17 Ben Moon, 18 Sam Nixon, 19 Ryan McCauley, 20 Christ Tshiunza, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Harvey Skinner, 23 Tom Hendrickson

Heyes and Tom Youngs out for Tigers. If Reffell goes off injured Tigers are left with a very big but undynamic backrow. Might be a tough day at the office for Tigers

Harlequins Starting XV
1. Santiago Garcia Botta (36)
2. Jack Walker (0)
3. Simon Kerrod (44)
4. Matt Symons (63)
5. Dino Lamb (48)
6. Tom Lawday (39)
7. Jack Kenningham (12)
8. Alex Dombrandt (76) - Captain

9. Danny Care (306)
10 .Tommy Allan (0)
11. Cadan Murley (48)
12. Andre Esterhuizen (19)
13. Joe Marchant (113)
14. Louis Lynagh (13)
15. Tyrone Green (21)

Impact Players
16. Sam Riley (1)
17. Joe Marler (225)
18. Craig Trenier (0)
19. Hugh Tizard (13)
20. Archie White (42)
21. Scott Steele (15)
22. Huw Jones (0)
23. Luke Northmore (27)

Oh i see Hodge is starting for the Chiefs....

My biggest concern is Esterhuizen...we have a very lightweight set of backs....he could cause us big issues.

GeordieFalcon wrote:My biggest concern is Esterhuizen...we have a very lightweight set of backs....he could cause us big issues.

If he can keep his elbows to himself... my big concern is that he gets carded for a high tackle or contact with the head.

Quins have offered mixed messages about whether Marler or Baxter is on the bench - but I am surprisingly unconcerned about which it is. Baxter is very promising.

Poorfour wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:My biggest concern is Esterhuizen...we have a very lightweight set of backs....he could cause us big issues.

If he can keep his elbows to himself... my big concern is that he gets carded for a high tackle or contact with the head.

Quins have offered mixed messages about whether Marler or Baxter is on the bench - but I am surprisingly unconcerned about which it is. Baxter is very promising.

as much as i dont want to win by default...that would be nice

Christ Tshiunza looks like he could become a really good player. I hope he stays loyal to Wales...

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:My biggest concern is Esterhuizen...we have a very lightweight set of backs....he could cause us big issues.

If he can keep his elbows to himself... my big concern is that he gets carded for a high tackle or contact with the head.

Quins have offered mixed messages about whether Marler or Baxter is on the bench - but I am surprisingly unconcerned about which it is. Baxter is very promising.

:laugh: as much as i dont want to win by default...that would be nice :whistle:

The bearded exocet that is Joe Marler is confirmed as being on the bench.

Saints side fro Gloucester at the newly named Cinch Stadium (hate it).

15 George Furbank
14 Matt Proctor
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Collins
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller
2 James Fish
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Alex Moon
6 Tom Wood
7 Lewis Ludlam (capt)
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mikey Haywood
17 Nick Auterac
18 Paul Hill
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Juarno Augustus
21 Connor Tupai
22 Ahsee Tuala
23 Alex Coles

Not quite the side I would have picked, especially Fish at hooker.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Oh i see Hodge is starting for the Chiefs....

Yeah Hodge Vs Steward. Interesting match up to start the season off right there. Chiefs backline looks very strong, forward pack is a bit more of a patchwork quilt affair with those injured or on Lions rest periods.

Slightly surprised that Chiefs haven't got Cordero Jnr in the squad, maybe he's injured but he was a menace last season whenever he got the ball.

mikey_dragon wrote:Christ Tshiunza looks like he could become a really good player. I hope he stays loyal to Wales...

He looks a talent. Seems that he qualifies for Wales, England and France. He's played a friendly match for England U20s against London Irish back in March, but that doesn't really mean anything. I reckon he'll end up representing Wales, but I would say Pivac should call him up sharpish... just in case.

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:Saints side fro Gloucester at the newly named Cinch Stadium (hate it).

15 George Furbank
14 Matt Proctor
13 Fraser Dingwall
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Tom Collins
10 James Grayson
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Alex Waller
2 James Fish
3 Ehren Painter
4 David Ribbans
5 Alex Moon
6 Tom Wood
7 Lewis Ludlam (capt)
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mikey Haywood
17 Nick Auterac
18 Paul Hill
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Juarno Augustus
21 Connor Tupai
22 Ahsee Tuala
23 Alex Coles

Not quite the side I would have picked, especially Fish at hooker.

Fish is there to keep Gloucester in the game.

The way we have played so far, they don't need Fish for that.

Where is Ollie Sleights, I have not heard anything about injury.

A 6/2 bench sounds a bit defensive to me, bring on Big N for the final 20, still got six forwards on the bench size wise.

Alex Coles is obviously Grayson's backup. A change of pace....
No idea about Ollie Sleightholme.

Saracens seem to have shaken off some early rust and are forcing Bristol into an arm wrestle - which they are losing.

Game has been a bit disappointing, Bristol have looked very off colour. To be fair though, Saracens have done the basics very well.

Austin called it in the first half. Bristol kicked far too much and didn't really do anything to tire the Sarries forwards. Come the second half and Bristol are trying to play a bit more but Sarries are fresh and the defensive line is just ready to hammer them.

Sarries set piece has worked, the defence has been incredible and Lozowski has kicked very well for goal. It's not pretty but it's effective. Just as I type that there's a chip to the corner and a try.

Bristol have been a mess, very disappointed with them

I think when Bristol failed to get over the line after the Piatau break in the 1st half, Bristol lost a little something. Prior to that it was coming a bit easy.

It would appear that Saracens are back and doing Saracens things. Those writing them off may be in for a shock as that was far from their strongest line-up.

Sarries looked good. They even made Davies and Tompkins look good.

mikey_dragon wrote:Sarries looked good. They even made Davies and Tompkins look good.

Sarries play a very particular type of system, if you fit that system and can commit to the defensive workrate then you generally look good. Add in that players are always seen as better when they're part of a winning side and Sarries do tend to win things.

Davies did alright. Ran a bit when it was on and kicked well. Tompkins was back at 12 where he's best, in Wales he keeps getting shunted to 13 which I don't think suits him as well.

I don’t think either are international quality but they can have a good career with Sarries. Saracens really do get the best out of people. McCall must be a great coach.

Tompkins is certainly better at 12 as he as all the skills of a fly-half, including flaky defence. Davies’ passing seems to have improved, it used to be pub level passing.

mikey_dragon wrote:I don’t think either are international quality but they can have a good career with Sarries. Saracens really do get the best out of people. McCall must be a great coach.

Tompkins is certainly better at 12 as he as all the skills of a fly-half, including flaky defence. Davies’ passing seems to have improved, it used to be pub level passing.

Well they have 30 caps between them so they've done ok. They're probably somewhere just short of the level that a side like Wales need, but they're handy players...certainly Tompkins.

How did Billy V play, reports were that he had lost weight and was fighting fit.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:I don’t think either are international quality but they can have a good career with Sarries. Saracens really do get the best out of people. McCall must be a great coach.

Tompkins is certainly better at 12 as he as all the skills of a fly-half, including flaky defence. Davies’ passing seems to have improved, it used to be pub level passing.

Well they have 30 caps between them so they've done ok. They're probably somewhere just short of the level that a side like Wales need, but they're handy players...certainly Tompkins.

I know but it’s ludicrous how Davies even got one cap, or how he was even favoured over Gareth Davies at Scarlets. We’ve also given Tavis Knoyle 11 caps, just for a reference point on how we can get it disastrously wrong at times.

Bizarre tactics from Bristol. Don't think they kicked that much in the entirety of last season.

See hodge is starting at full back. Would love to see and Steward make themselves front runners for England in time for the Ais.

Looking forward to Leicester vs Exeter, some really good match ups.

There's been some really poor indiscipline from Tigers but some much more promising attacking play as well.

Seeing Nadolo being used from front foot ball as an attacking weapon is some sight.

A dumb infringement from Wells gave Chiefs their first try scoring opportunity and now a dumb infringement from Genge has given Chiefs this extended period camped on the Tigers line with pens building up. So frustrating.

Now Innard scores.

In amongst some good attacking rugby Tigers have been their own worst enemy in this half.

Brought back for the double movement. Fortune for Tigers to escape.

Now they need to clean up the discipline and play in the Chiefs half more.

Great try. Fortunate bounce but a lovely weighted kick from Steward. That all came from Steward's half break after the up and under which gave Tigers quick ball.

Tigers are doing so much more with ball in hand than they attempted to last season. Great to see them building on the game plan.

Decent half of rugby, especially if you are a Tigers fan (I would imagine!)

From an interested England fan's point of view, Steward has won the full back duel at halftime, he has commanded the air and been involved in the attack. Mind you, Hodge's last ditch defence has been superb. I can see flashes from the latter, but I guess it must be remembered that he hasn't had nearly as much exposure to Premiership rugby.

George Martin has really impressed me today. He's carried really well in Jasper Wiese's absence and is his usually very busy self in defence.

Tigers are missing their first three hookers in Montoya, Youngs and Clare. It's showing with the scrum in the second half as Dolly seems to be struggling a bit as the game goes on.

He has been very dominant in his hits.

Must say Leicester are lucky not to have somebody in the bin, they have committed about a billion offences in their own 22.

Wells goes to the bin as Chiefs score their second.

Tigers need to weather a storm now with 14 men.

Great seeing Leatigaga back out there after injuries last season.

Not only weathered it, put Exeter to the sword.

Fantastic try in the situation. Jack van Poortvliet once again looking excellent after coming on. He should be Tigers starting 9 on form in my opinion.

Steward has been fantastic all afternoon as well.

Exeter look a beaten side, Leicester could really make hay in the last 10-12 minutes.