Exeter v Tigers

[Bill W (2)]

Could be the defining game of the season.

Bring it on.

etc

[Ian Cant]

Well Exeter will push us to the limit. They have the collective spirit to beat anyone at home so Tigers can't afford to be anything other than at their best!!
manu has to start in the centre from now on though as he is such a threat. Well done Staunton as well as he lead the back line intelligently.In fact well done every Tiger for providing old fashioned Christmas Rugby far superior to the dross served up at Wembley and Twickers!

[Tigerbeat]

I suspect that we will see Manu on the bench.
Possible / likely team ......subject to availibility / injuries

Castro
Chuter
Ayerza
Skivington
Deacon
Newby
Crane / Mafi
Waldrom
Youngs
Flood
Smith
Allen
A Tuilagi
Hamilton
Murphy

Bench:
Hawkins
Bucknall
Cole
M Tuilagi
Staunton
Grindal
Slater
Mafi / Crane

Cockers said on Radio Leicester that he would be managing Manus game time and he would be taking a full strength squad to Exeter.

[salcombe bob]

Exeter will treat this as their Premiership final. It's been sold out for weeks. They are very good at the basics, good scrum and line out. Also very in your face, tackling everything. We will need to squeeze it and keep them on the back foot and the crowd, plus Indian chants, quiet. Don't allow them any momentum or they will take it. At least our line out will be better than WR as we will have one! Perhaps we can not only get out own ball but grab some of theirs too.

We will need to play as well as yesterday (Sale).

[tigerburnie]

Tigerbeat,you've got AlexT at centre,do you know something we don't?(I'd prefer to see him at 13,but I doubt it).

[Tigerbeat]

Tigerbeat,you've got AlexT at centre,do you know something we don't?(I'd prefer to see him at 13,but I doubt it).

I can't see any no 13 against Alex

I have just listed the players in no particular order. MIght be something diferent to see Alex in the centre

[tigerburnie]

As I said in my rant on another post,all teams have been observed my neutrals,putting two men on Alex to make sure they get him down on the ground.Bound to create at least one opportunity for an overlap and try,I'd have thought.

[smalldell]

Flood will not be fit for this one so I expect:-

Cole
Chuter
Ayerza
Skivington\Slater (depending on fitness)
Deacon
Maffi\Crane
Newby
Waldrom
Youngs
Staunton
Allan
Smith
Hamilton
A. Tualigi
Murphy

I would like to see 12T's at 12 with Allan at 13 and Smith on the wing in place of A. Tualigi (who I still think is not playing well). But I do not think they management and I would agree).

Depends who is fit really....Skivington and Crane may not be available and Newby did go off with an injury, but we will have to wait and see...

[Darc Tiger]

Got to be on top of our game. Exeter are no mugs, are strong at home and play with a lot of heart and determination.

Cockers thinks that Crane and Flood should be fit though, so that is good news.

Dont be too shocked to see Manu and Billy on the bench or out ofthe side however. You know what that ruddy Cockerill is like!

[Darc Tiger]

I'll give you Hawkins. I think he has done enough to nick a starting slot. But I think Skivs improvement in the last month has saved his starting space. He is working well with Deacon.

[BJ.]

I can't see any no 13 against Alex

I have just listed the players in no particular order. MIght be something diferent (sic) to see Alex in the centre

You've listed the rest of the players in their usual order (starting at No. 1) and, when someone points out your error regarding the positioning of Alesana Tuilagi, you claim they're in 'no particular order' and respond with a

Oh dear.

[Tigerbeat]

Just looking back at the team sheet from yesterday,

Castro was 3
Ayerza was 1

They are listed in no particular set order.Just worked back from:
Front row
Second Row Back Row
Half Backs
Centres
Back Three


Happy New Year to all...........looking forward to the Exeter game.

[Bill W (2)]

They are listed in no particular set order.Just worked back from:
Front row
Second Row Back Row
Half Backs
Centres
Back Three

Not wishing to nit pick or any thing, but isn't FR, SR, BR, HB etc a set order? Merely a different set order to the numbers on their shirts?

Happy New Year to you and all!!!

[Purebob]

A pair of tickets for this match just sold for £102 on Ebay. A tad rich for my blood, though I'd love to have gone.