Leicester Tigers

Doesn’t have to be at 12 Sale played effectively with du Preez at 13 when Ford came back from injury The majority are at 15 now. Given most FHs are now spending a ton of time in the backfield as it allows them to control the kick tennis it is creating an interesting situation where we may see 10 an...

It does feel we are at a stage where defences are so strong that it's basically necessary to have two playmakers capable of playing 10 in order to break them down consistently So, Ford and Farrell then? :smt017 Not really for this thread, but I think England's attacking issues are bigger than that ...

As for Sale. I'd go with: 1.Whitcombe 2.Dolly 3.Hurd 4.Wells 5.Henderson 6.Hatherell 7.Reffell 8.Hanro (c) 9.Whiteley 10.Atkinson 11.OHC 12.Kelly 13.Porter 14.Bassett 15.Shillcock 16.Clare 17.van Wyk 18.Heyes 19.Carter 20.Cracknell 21.Powell 22.Kata 23.Brown I thought van Wyk played well last weeken...

Having that second playmaker type does seem to really help teams. AB's showed it v Ireland who IMO don't really have a second playmaker. I'd argue it's almost necessary against modern defences. Ireland are about the only team to get a functioning attack without a standout second playmaker. That req...

I think it's a good and fair assessment from Wes. The other issue is the Prem being an increasingly unreliable indicator of international potential. There are so many lower quality games since ring fencing and the cap reduction. We've seen a few England regulars look spent at international level, re...

I wonder if we spotted any possible Portuguese signings? Most their best are already in Pro D2. Bettencourt, Lima, Marta, Storti. That's the centres and wings. Openside Martins. Hooker Tadjer - I thought he was terrific yesterday. Marques their SH that plays are such a good pace. Both starting prop...

Clearly Tigers decided that a home semi was not the priority at this juncture compared to giving game time to youngsters? With the Prem opener on Friday and RWC stars still away I've no problem with it. Personally, I think seeing what Woodward and Cusick have against a decent centre pairing in the ...

I'd be more than happy with Porter covering wing in the early Prem rounds if needed. He's not started there since '21/22 but has started there 14 times for Tigers and usually looked rock solid. Woollett looks like a trial and a potentially interesting one given his athleticism. Steward, OHC and Wool...

Joseph Dweba is next in line at hooker. He's a wrecking ball in the loose and strong in the scrum, much stronger than Fourie in fact, but has had wobbles with his darts. He's who I'd call up. Being 5'7" he also links in well with Ox and Nyakane being shorter. So their bench front row would be a...

If it's a three way tie on 15 points then it comes down to PD for top spot but head-to-heads for the second spot. If it's a two way tie for top spot then it's head-to-head. IIRC. If Scotland win against Ireland with neither side taking any BPs then the Boks will top the group on 15 points, Scotland ...

Makes it even easier if we tattoo them and they play naked. New age problems need new age solutions.

They should all be tattooed head to toe in green, red and white stripes. Anything else and they clearly aren't committed.

I honestly included Ilione as he was fresher in mind with Cracknell having not featured yet. Which is criminal as Cracknell was a signing I praised when announced and loved watching play last season. He's an excellent Premiership back row. In the most complimentary way possible, Tigers could use Cra...

Yeh but I think it's pretty much proven that squad depth = the biggest key to winning the league. Name me one winner who didn't have impressive squad depth. Absolutely agreed. As alluded to with the tight five comment. I think their depth in the backs and back row actually looks good now. Lower on ...

Sam is a LH these days. A well rated one too. He impressed at Edinburgh but they had depth in the position. Then he was in many Championship XVs of the season with Jersey. Thinking longer term. Fischetti to Zebre is an odd move. It's a return to his roots but still an odd one. He's quietly turned in...