Gallagher Prem - Round 4

Friday
Falcons v Exeter

Saturday
Bath v Saints
Bristol v Quins
Sale v Wasps

Sunday
Leicester v Worcester
Saracens v Gloucester

Falcons v Exeter...

Odd selection
No Sinoti, Goneva, Radwan or Kibirige???
Mavinga on the bench

Graham starts which is good.

15 Simon Hammersley
14 Alex Tait
13 Chris Harris
12 Johnny Williams
11 Tom Arscott
10 Toby Flood
9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Adam Brocklebank
2 George McGuigan
3 Logovi'i Mulipola
4 Calum Green
5 Will Witty
6 Gary Graham
7 Will Welch (captain)
8 Mark Wilson

Replacements

16 Santiago Socino
17 Sami Mavinga
18 Jack Payne
19 Tevita Cavubati
20 Callum Chick
21 Sam Stuart
22 Joel Hodgson
23 Tom Penny

Bad weather forecast for this weekend? Loading the back three with players that can cover fullback would suggest an expectation that the Chiefs will kick and handling conditions will be tough.

Quins away form against what should be a confident Bears team.
I am not filled with confidence!

formerly known as Sam wrote:Bad weather forecast for this weekend? Loading the back three with players that can cover fullback would suggest an expectation that the Chiefs will kick and handling conditions will be tough.

Yeah an valid point Sam, though id say Sinoti and Goneva are pretty secure under the high ball etc. Unless...WE are looking to kick the leather off the thing then Arscott and Tait make sense...

CHIEFS SIDE TO FACE NEWCASTLE FALCONS

15 Phil Dollman
14 Santiago Cordero
13 Henry Slade
12 Ian Whitten
11 Alex Cuthbert
10 Joe Simmonds
9 Jack Maunder
1 Ben Moon
2 Luke Cowan-Dickie
3 Harry Williams
4 Ollie Atkins
5 Jonny Hill
6 Don Armand (capt)
7 Matt Kvesic
8 Sam Simmonds

16 Jack Yeandle
17 Alec Hepburn
18 Tomas Francis
19 Dave Dennis
20 Dave Ewers
21 Sam Maunder
22 Gareth Steenson
23 Sam Hill

A very experienced bench

That is a VERY SERIOUS bench rosbif!!!!!!!!!

that Chiefs team looks seriously good. The depth is envious.

Poopie Chiefs look good there.

Someone check their accounts!!!

propdavid_london wrote:Quins away form against what should be a confident Bears team.  
I am not filled with confidence!

Me neither. But we should be looking to win this one, we've finished strongly in every game so far so as long as we're a little ahead or at least very close I think our superior fitness and better bench will win it for us.

It's only if we chase the game or make silly mistakes that I think k we'll lose. I can just kind of see that happening though.

yappysnap wrote:Poopie Chiefs look good there.

Someone check their accounts!!!

How many of those players were established names before they arrived though. The scouting and academy development going on down there has been spectacular.

Tighthead for instance Harry Williams had played round the Championship having not been picked up by an AP academy and gone to Uni instead. Very similar story for Tomas Francis. Their previous clubs include Loughborough University, Nottingham, Doncaster, London Scottish.

Who had heard about Johnny Hill? Didn't make it at Glaws and now absolute quality in the row.

That's all true, they'll struggle to hold onto some of them in the years to come and that'll be the big test for the club.

yappysnap wrote:That's all true, they'll struggle to hold onto some of them in the years to come and that'll be the big test for the club.

They seem quite good at moving on the players past their peak though. Waldrom has returned to NZ Salvi is now coaching the defence and Horstman has gone also. That has freed up cap to retain players this season. Parking leaving the year before. You'd have thought they'll move on Dennis and the Aussie prop in the future to make cap for the lads coming through.

Tough balancing act mind.

BUY TICKETS
LEICESTER TIGERS
VS
WORCESTER WARRIORS
23 September 2018 15:00 at Welford Road

Team news: Tigers versus Warriors this Sunday
21 September 2018 12:00

Graham Kitchener returns from injury to make his first appearance of the season for Leicester Tigers in Sunday’s home game against Worcester Warriors in Round 3 of the Gallagher Premiership season.

The 28-year-old lock has recovered from a hip injury to join the line-up, replacing the suspended Will Spencer in the only change to the forward pack from last week’s match against Wasps.

There are two changes in the backline where Jordan Olowofela and Jonah Holmes come in for Telusa Veainu and Adam Thompstone.

Kyle Eastmond is named among the replacements after missing the Round 3 trip to Wasps, and prop Gaston Cortes returns from international duty with Argentina to join the matchday squad as Tigers return to home turf.

Tigers interim head coach Geordan Murphy said: “We’ve had to make a couple of changes this week but the guys have been training well and it’s good to have Graham Kitchener back for his first game of the season, especially with Will Spencer ruled out.

“There was great heart and desire from the team at Wasps last week but we know there are areas to improve and we have to get better.”

Tigers against Warriors is a 3.00pm kick-off at Welford Road and match tickets are still available. Book in person at Welford Road, phone 0116 319 8888 (option 2) or online at www.leicestertigers.com

Leicester Tigers (v Worcester Warriors, Welford Road, Sunday 3.00pm)

15 Jordan Olowofela

14 Jonah Holmes

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Gareth Owen

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Williams

5 Graham Kitchener

6 David Denton

7 Guy Thompson

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Jimmy Stevens

17 David Feao

18 Gaston Cortes

19 Harry Wells

20 Sam Lewis

21 Ben White

22 Joe Ford

23 Kyle Eastmond

Some injuries for Tigers to content with. Three open sides down still and now both TV and Thompstone out. Shame Hardwick seems to have picked up a knock as the thought of Joe Ford having to play fills me with dread.

Worcester Warriors: 15 Chris Pennell, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Ryan Mills, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Francois Hougaard; 1 Callum Black, 2 Jack Singleton, 3 Nick Schonert, 4 Anton Bresler, 5 Pierce Phillips, 6 Marco Mama, 7 Sam Lewis, 8 GJ van Velze (C)
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Gareth Milasinovich, 19 Darren Barry, 20 Ted Hill, 21 Michael Heaney, 22 Jono Lance, 23 Ashley Beck

Saints for the trip to the Rec.

15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Taqele Naiyaravoro
13 Andrew Symons
12 Piers Francis
11 Tom Collins
10 Dan Biggar
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Alex Waller (co-captain)
2 Dylan Hartley (co-captain)
3 Ben Franks
4 David Ribbans
5 Courtney Lawes
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Lewis Ludlam
8 Teimana Harrison

Replacements:
16 Mike Haywood
17 Francois Van Wyk
18 Ehren Painter
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Mitch Eadie
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Andrew Kellaway
23 Harry Mallinder

A changed back row and Symons in for Burrell the major changes.

Haskell rested, one assumes

15. Aaron Morris
14. Nathan Earle
13. Joe Marchant
12. Ben Tapuai
11. Ross Chisholm
10. James Lang
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler
2. Max Crumpton
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Matt Symons
5. Ben Glynn
6. Luke Wallace
7. Chris Robshaw (Captain)
8. James Chisholm

Game Changers
16. Dave Ward
17. Mark Lambert
18. Phil Swainston
19. Stan South
20. Renaldo Bothma
21. Charlie Mulchrone
22. Marcus Smith
23. Paul Lasike

Not considered for selection
Nick Auterac
Lewis Boyce
Mike Brown
Rob Buchanan
Demetri Catrakilis
Jack Clifford
James Horwill
Josh Ibuanokpe
Mat Luamanu
Josh McNulty
George Merrick
Francis Saili

That's quite an injury list that Quins are amassing!

propdavid_london wrote:That's quite an injury list that Quins are amassing!

I was just thinking Nick Auterac injured. What an unusual state of affairs..

Its not a compete list either -
Dino Lamb I think was injured last week.
Elia Elia has been great in the games he started in - not sure if injured or rested
AlofAlofa - ?
Will Collier - ?
Charlie Walker - ?

I'm calling it......
Glawwsta to beat Sarreees.....now lets get me money down.....Booom!

Sarries have named a massive pack but there's no real emphasis on attacking the breakdown. If they can just bash Glaws aside it could be a big win for the Cherry and Whites. Expect some big hits on Cipriani when he takes it to the line, Cipriani will be desperate to show up well against Farrell after Jones comments.

Cracking game up north this evening. Falcons frustrating Chiefs at the breakdown and offering plenty of firepower. They'll be a couple of national managers watching young Johnny Williams performance with interest. I'm fairly sure I told the Falcons fans some months ago he'd be a good signing for whomever picked him up (I was hoping the whomever would be Tigers mind).

Well can't complain about the defeat. They're a good side.

We battled them well though.

Hammersley looked like the player of a few years back...gliding past players.
Williams looks a class act.
Arscott had a very good game.
Gary Graham is the epitome of aggression and energy

We just need to stop the bloody box kicks.

Keep playing like that though and we'll be fine this season.

propdavid_london wrote:15. Aaron Morris
14. Nathan Earle
13. Joe Marchant
12. Ben Tapuai
11. Ross Chisholm
10. James Lang
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler
2. Max Crumpton
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Matt Symons
5. Ben Glynn
6. Luke Wallace
7. Chris Robshaw (Captain)
8. James Chisholm

Game Changers
16. Dave Ward
17. Mark Lambert
18. Phil Swainston
19. Stan South
20. Renaldo Bothma
21. Charlie Mulchrone
22. Marcus Smith
23. Paul Lasike

Not considered for selection
Nick Auterac
Lewis Boyce
Mike Brown
Rob Buchanan
Demetri Catrakilis
Jack Clifford
James Horwill
Josh Ibuanokpe
Mat Luamanu
Josh McNulty
George Merrick
Francis Saili

Odd looking team that. Lots of injuries already obviously, but our pack looks really average. And the forwards on the bench worse. Bristol will expect to be able to hit us hard up front.

The backs though look promising, Lang has been very good off the bench and past him the whole backline look dangerous. Just need Care to spend less time gesturing and play the ball.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Cracking game up north this evening. Falcons frustrating Chiefs at the breakdown and offering plenty of firepower. They'll be a couple of national managers watching young Johnny Williams performance with interest. I'm fairly sure I told the Falcons fans some months ago he'd be a good signing for whomever picked him up (I was hoping the whomever would be Tigers mind).

Rob Baxter was apparently asked what Simmonds would have to do to get picked by EJ after that impressive performance, his sarcastic answer was put on 30kg. There's probably some truth in that too though.

Apparently the guys try to game ratio is insane too.

Quins do not have a bench any more, but Game Changers!

Thought Falcons got away with quite a lot in their ferocious defending of the try line. On another day a penalty try and more cards could have been conceded.

LondonTiger wrote:Thought Falcons got away with quite a lot in their ferocious defending of the try line. On another day a penalty try and more cards could have been conceded.

Had Exeter not scored their rolling maul then I think there would have been a penalty try and a second yellow card. Patience was wearing thin at that point.

LondonTiger wrote:Quins do not have a bench any more, but Game Changers!

Oh god, please don't mention that bizzare change to the match day announcement!

Sin bin after 30 seconds. Try after 90 seconds.

Interesting start to the Sale-Wasps game!

Good reffing for me. You see in some sports refs won't yellow card a player of its early in the game. IMO it shouldn't matter if its the first minute or the last minute.

Well we can see the influence of Gustard's defensive system. Our attack isn't looking very cohesive yet though.

Since that early YC, Wasps are getting away with quite a lot.

Fair YC against B Curry for early tackle on Daly. However Daly should have seen yellow a few minutes earlier for a high stiff arm tackle.

Not sure what to make of this quins game. Given the conditions, kicking territory is probably sensible, but the chase is poor so we're just kicking away possession.

Penalties killing us as usual.

Just need an attack coach and a brains coach.

Useless lineout killing us as well. Would settle for the BP...3 yellows now!

"Bristol played on the right areas of the pitch"

Yep, they played ON the pitch.

The hope created by a week 1 win ebbed away now?

LondonTiger wrote:Thought Falcons got away with quite a lot in their ferocious defending of the try line. On another day a penalty try and more cards could have been conceded.

Lt, we felt the ref let them off with quite a bit aswell. Some of the scrum collapses were definstely not us.

Then one where Takulua got the ball away despite us going backwards..was a queer decision...given to them again...

In mauls etc they came in from the side on numerous occasions but that was all ignored .

I've said in here many times...the refs and in particular their inconsistency is concerning.

LondonTiger wrote:The hope created by a week 1 win ebbed away now?

Sadly yes.

Every game we can say was better then last season's, and there were positives, but we're still losing.

There is a certain obsession with coaches coming in and waving a magic wand. I think the majority of coaches do take a bit of a while to get their ideas across. There's green shoots through the harlequins team I think judge them towards the back end after the 6ns into next season.

Very true, and rationally I know this, I just also want all the wins right now too!!

Worcester beating tigers at the moment. Tigers defence is woeful

Plus tigers making handling errors

Tackle off the ball by Tom Young?? Rubbish call. The player had the ball in his hands and let go of it.

Yes I thought wuss were fortunate there! Not that I'm complaining.

The radio coverage were quizzing the first try, apparently a 50/50 call for obstruction but then incandescent when the second try wasn't called back for obstruction.

After that brief pro Tigers commentary they got back to slagging then off and saying how they weren't like Tigers of old.

Worcester sounded like they were clinical when running ball back from turnover ball and Tigers were error probe in attack and defence.

Worcester are playing well but tigers defence is poor and they keep dropping the ball.

Worcester should win this if they keep doing the basics right like they have been.

I'm not sure Tigers are showing anything like the kind of form they need to have to turn this round.

Sounds like some Tigers fans are leaving already.