Tigers v Northampton Saints - today's game.

[G.K]

Why no Tuquiri - has he given up already?

[fleabane]

No Vesty at 10 or 12 please. Back to running across the pitch, indecisive, poor kicking from hand in his last 2 appearances. Heart is in the right place, he will give his all, but his vision and speed aren't quite up to scratch. Sorry.

[kingol22]

mauger at 10 possibly if not vesty and then move 12 trees to 12 and hipkiss in at 13 but doubt it will happen cockers will go with vesty

[Kit]

Why no Tuquiri - has he given up already?

Nope, he just has the weekend off! He's with us till March.

[Butchers Hook]

My prediction is , Tom Youngs will start at hooker.

[Smudge]

Friday morning and still no team named for tomorrow.
Clearly Cockers is waiting until the last minute to see what returnees are
available from the national squads.
More than any of the injured I want to see Geordan back and to his best.
Each of the last three or four weeks we have been told he is there or there abouts.
There is a long history of players being eager to return too soon and damaging themselves with Ellis being one of the latest. I trust he is being ultra careful.
I am aware it is not an exact science (especially with knees and ankles)

[Tigerbeat]

The team is usually announced around 12-00pm on the day before the match.

[Rykard]

Teams up

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, away, Saturday 3pm)
15 Lucas Amorosino
14 Alesana Tuilagi
13 Billy Twelvetrees
12 Aaron Mauger (c)
11 Matt Smith
10 Sam Vesty
9 Harry Ellis
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Julian White
4 Dan Hemingway
5 Ben Kay
6 Ben Pienaar
7 Ben Woods
8 Brett Deacon

Replacements
16 Joe Duffey
17 Robbie Harris
18 Ryan Bower
19 Rob Conquest
20 Matt Everard
21 James Grindal
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Geordan Murphy

Interesting mix of youth and experience...

Northampton Saints
15 Bruce Reihana
14 Chris Ashton
13 Joe Ansbro
12 Chris Mayor
11 Paul Diggin
10 Stephen Myler
9 Alan Dickens
1 Soane Tonga'uiha
2 Brett Sharman
3 Brian Mujati
4 Ignacio Fernandez Lobbe (c)
5 Juandre Kruger
6 Mark Easter
7 Neil Best
8 Roger Wilson

Replacements
16 Andy Long
17 Adam Parkins
18 Alex Waller
19 James Cannon
20 Owen Giles
21 Lee Dickson
22 Barry Everitt
23 James Downey

[Rizzo]

Geordie's back....YAY!

[Darc Tiger]

Tigers team pretty much as expected. And Geordans back!

Strong team with a mix of youth and experience. Plenty of exciting combinations to work on. Really hope the backline has a better day all round though. Delighted for Tom Youngs. Very interested to see how he gets on.

Saints lineup is strong. Lots of first teamers. Its gonna be tough to get the win, but definitely possible.

O&U!

[CJ]

great news that smurph's back. now for the win
O and U

[Daveyboy]

It's not a bad looking Tigers side, is it?

I agree, though, the Northampton team does look strong and they have home advantage, of course....

Much faith-keeping required to get a result, methinks.

[MurphysLaw]

A mixed team from Tigers, against probably the strongest team Saints can put out.
Well Cockers is being true to his word about playing younsters in this competition, whilst resting many of first teamers. An interesting selection.

Good luck Geordan

[bluntiger]

I really like the mix of young players and experience.

Dan Hemmingway and Tom Youngs packing down with Julian White and Benny Kay is great for their development. 36 in a centre partnership with Mauger, and Lucas in a back three with Alex and Matt Smith. Can only help them grow!

[g]

Tigers reserves against Saints 1st team at fortress Franklins Gardens.


Only one winner there then, and it won't be those in red ,white and green, or even blue for that matter.


Looks like it will be the premiership as the only thing left to play for.