Sarries v Tigers

[tigermad]

Leicester return to Guinness Premiership action after their dramtic win against Bath in the Heineken Cup. Never an easy place to get a win but Leicester will be looking for just that. Hopefully some of the injured players will be in the selection mix for this game. Your thoughts please.

LEICESTER TIGERS - ALWAYS

[Daveyboy]

Tricky game. Very tricky.

I have predicted a 7 point win for Tigers on Superbru.

[chinnjamie]

Very tough game, although im actually looking forward to another away game. Hopefully there will be lots of Tigers fans travelling down

[jonnyatom5]

We'll be there.
Looking forward to a good game, hopefully we'll be on the front foot for this one. If the forwards are as sharp as they were against Bath it'll give the backs an awesome platform.

[CJ]

I shall be there anticipating a fine Tigers' win, though it won't be easy. there is always the joy of the Watford gyratory system before and after the match to stir the heart.

[tigerben]

I expect it to be tough, but we've had an 8 day turnaround compared to their 7 not that that should make any difference in the professionalism of these days.

Can't get down to it this year, normally go down as my sisters at uni in hatfield bout 20mins away in the car (or 1.5 hrs on the bus) but the games during the easter hols this year.

Went there for teh ospreys HC QF last year and got to see their mascot the camel riding around the pitch on a hoverboat.




NB the hoverboats where used to clear the snow off the pitch as it had snowed quite badly the night before)

[smalldell]

I think it will be an exceptionally difficult game. Sarries have it all to play for now with there being 7 HC places available.

Cockerill has already confirmed that L. Deacon, Mauger and Flood will not be available for consideration.

I expect something like the following to play:-

1. Ayerzaza
2. Chuter
3. Cole
4. Kay
5. Crane
6. Croft
7. Woods
8. Pienaar
9.Youngs
10. Vesty
11. Hamilton
12. Rabeni
13. Hipkiss (Erinle)
14. J. Murphy
15. G. Murphy

16. Castro
17. Davies
18. Newby
19. Dupry
20. Varndell
21. Erinle\Hurrell
22. Hemingway

I have picked youngs at Scrum half because I believe Ellis and Dupry need a rest. I would put Dupry on the bench because he can kick and is a bit more versatile than Ellis. I have put Crane in the 2nd row, because I believe it is a better option than playing Croft there, who we will need to cover a lot of ground on Sunday....

Tell me what you think....

[drc_007]

I thought Wentzel was now fit, A better choice for 2nd row?

[sam16111986]

Hmm looks like we're struggling for fit players again then, wouldn't be suprised to see Moody sneaking onto the bench and maybe grabbing ten minutes or so, think a player or two will be returning hopefully one of which will be a second row. Dupuy will probabley start with Ellis being rested if Flood and Hougaard are unavailable as Vesty isn't normally that great a kicker (proper Tiger boys always turn it on in the big games). Think smalldell is pretty close but Varndell won't be around as I think he's still off with the England 7s as his exile continues.

[smalldell]

Did not know about Varndell being away still....

If Wentzel is fit then yes play him in the 2nd row and Crane at 8....Pienaar on the bench for me then unless he plays 6 and we rest Croft....

[Will S]

Vesty is not a seasoned fly half. This doesn't mean I wouldn't pick him at 10 for the Sarries game, I would, but I would be tempted to partner him with an experienced scrum half. Whilst I think Youngs is a brilliant talent I would rather see Ellis or Dupuy starting at 9 if going for Vesty at 10.

[smalldell]

Sorry typing error...re Ayerza

[Daveyboy]

In the video interview with Richard Cockerill, accessable from the home page, he says that he only has one 2nd Row who is fit, that being Ben Kay.

So perhaps Wentzel isn't fit after all?

[silverfish]

Dupuy will probabley start with Ellis being rested if Flood and Hougaard are unavailable as Vesty isn't normally that great a kicker

I don't think Dupuy will start; I think he is still not fit. His leg was strapped up against Bath and it seemed as if he was limping whenever he walked anywhere. Ellis to start and Youngs to come on later is my guess for SH

[TTRITH]

15. Georden Murphy
14. Scott Hamilton
13. Seru Rabeni
12. Dan Hipkiss
11. Johne Murphy
10. Sam Vesty
9. Harry Ellis
1. Marcos Ayerza
2. George Chuter
3. Martin Castrogiovanni
4. Marco Wentzal
5. Ben Kay
6. Tom Croft
7. Lewis Moody
8. Jordan Crane

16. Mefin Davies
17. Dan Cole
18. Craig Newby
19. Ben Woods
20. Julien Dupuy
21. Ayoola Erinle
22. Will Hurrell

This will be the game to bring back players like Moody and Wentzal. Unfortunate on players like Pienaar and Woods but we really do need LM and MW fit for the potential semis and finals.

Other question is how close to fitness are Martin Corry and Matt Smith because we really need them back.