Leicester Tigers

I hope Ben Youngs doesn't have a problem with motivation after his England exploits and can slot back in. This is a massive game for Ben. Despite a great international period everyone still has Murray nailed on for the Lions 9 shirt. Ben will want to play out of his skin and get one up here. Massiv...

He may feel he has slipped behind Barrow in the pecking order. Ed is a good leader but the captain should be nailed on for his spot and unfortunately Ed isn't.

I prefer OTY as captain. Leads by example, certain starter and around all year.

You do have to wonder if Eddie Jones is watching Freddie. Freddie seems to have all of GF's attacking ability but is a better kicker and defender. Hopefully he gets a chance soon.

It was obvious George was approached illegally by Bath when he was a Tigers player. If I were George and Bath were threatening me with these clauses I would highlight this point.

You can't really blame a young lad for being loyal to his Dad and leaving Tigers for Bath. His Dad may have well leaned on him a bit and whilst you can be loyal to a club family will always win out. You also can't really blame him for probably not feeling very comfortable at Bath now that his Dad ha...

I think if we were expecting dryer conditions then Betham might well have started. He deserves a rest and Tait is solid in defence (handy with a new midfield) and he is another kicking option.

Advantage of playing Manu at 12 is that you can get him running down the 10/12 channel. DC is a great cover defender but he doesn't like big guys running straight at him. JG is solid but not the big 12 defender that a lot of teams have. Manu could have some joy down this line on Saturday and DC will...

I would go:

1) Ayerza
2) Youngs
3) Cole
4) Fitzgerald
5) Barrow
6) Williams
7) O'Connor
8) McCaffrey
9) Youngs
10) Burns
11) JPP
12) Manu
13) Betham
14) Thompstone
15) Veainu

It's the opening hours

Instead of a large or small coffee they should be called a Tom or Ben?

On Rugby Tonight I though Wayne Barnes suggested you can still step through and use your foot but you just have to be aware that if you make contact, even accidental, with a players head on the ground then you are looking at a red card.

So if a player takes a ball into contact and his next two supporting players come in to the ruck then after a second or two go to ground to secure the ball what can the defending team do?

The only change I would make to the above is to have Kitchener starting and Slater on the bench.

(might also go for HT on the bench)

Maybe AM wants to use the backs more this season and wants a more mobile back row to support them? I know what people say about a hard carrying 8 but with the game at the moment it is harder to break tackles. A more important tool is the turnover and we could have a great back row for getting our sh...

Which backline would you prefer?

9: Simpson
10: Cipriani
11: Halai
12: Beale
13: Daly
14: Wade
15: Le Roux

Or

9: Youngs
10: Burns
11: Betham
12: Toomua
13: Manu
14: JJP
15: Veainu

Given the choice I believe we have the edge!