Who Plays 10 next week?

[smalldell]

Ford - Must use him to get him into the swing of things some would say and Newcastle might be the ideal game.

12T's - RC's least favourite player it seems...has to at least be on the bench to cover 10 and 12....in theory!!!!!

Staunton - Reliable.....

What do you think?

[kingol22]

I would start with Ford presuming Flood goes to England. We shouldnt really need a steady player at 10 to beat newcastle at home.

[jgriffin]

Newcastle is another banana skin. They've just beaten LI with an improved performance. We need a cool head here....anyway Ford might well have to start, which then raises the intrigue factor - will RC choose Staunton or 12T?

[Bill W (2)]

I would start with Ford presuming Flood goes to England. We shouldnt really need a steady player at 10 to beat newcastle at home.

So Staunton will start?

12T is in purdah!

[PM76]

Presuming Flood goes to England (IMO Youngs, Flood, Tuilagi, Lawes and Dowson will be on the bench with Dickson, Hodgson, Barritt, Botha and Morgan selected ahead of them) I would start with Ford, with Staunton on the bench. I doubt we will see Billy again, in his RL interview Cockers mentioned that Forsyth could step up into the centres next week with no mention of Billy. IMO it was Billy's article in the Telegraph (I think), where he had a right go at Cockers and O'Connor, that ended his Leicester career.

I'd also start Mullipola ahead of White and Newby somewhere in the backrow, he was superb when he came on.

[Broadstaff]

Don't think 12T should play fly half next week (have always thought Staunton was better in that position and I honestly don't know enough about Ford), and if Flood isn't with England he should keep in his place in my opinion. But does anybody know what the story is with 12T at the moment? Is he dropped for disciplinary reasons, is he dropped because others are playing better, is he injured or is he being kept back and free from injury for the big (hopefully) end of season games?

[Bill W (2)]

is he dropped because others are playing better, is he injured or is he being kept back and free from injury for the big (hopefully) end of season games?

Would suspect he is dropped because his face does not fit and he has done the unthinkable and accepted a better contract.

[Will S]

I have a feeling if Flood does not make the England starting 15 then he won't be on the bench (with OF on the pitch he acts as the replacement 10). I think BB will start with Manu and OF will be on the bench next Saturday so I think Flood will come back to us. Also think Lancaster would prefer Flood to get a full 80 for Tigers than warm a bench so if it does all fall apart against Wales Flood is closer to match fit for the following week.

[Darc Tiger]

I have a feeling if Flood does not make the England starting 15 then he won't be on the bench (with OF on the pitch he acts as the replacement 10). I think BB will start with Manu and OF will be on the bench next Saturday so I think Flood will come back to us. Also think Lancaster would prefer Flood to get a full 80 for Tigers than warm a bench so if it does all fall apart against Wales Flood is closer to match fit for the following week.

I agree. He doesn't look ready for a start, and would probably be wasted on the bench.

[tigerlilly]

PM76 do you have a link to Telegraph article to which you refer? I had a quick look on Telegraph website but nothing came up, would be interested to see what was said. Still think it is unwise to not pick a player based solely on them signing elsewhere next season, we still have a fair few games to get through and surely we need all our squad depth for rotation, injury and six nations cover.

[Bill W (2)]

we still have a fair few games to get through and surely we need all our squad depth for rotation, injury and six nations cover.

You might think that tigerlilly.

I could not possibly comment!

[PM76]

PM76 do you have a link to Telegraph article to which you refer? I had a quick look on Telegraph website but nothing came up, would be interested to see what was said. Still think it is unwise to not pick a player based solely on them signing elsewhere next season, we still have a fair few games to get through and surely we need all our squad depth for rotation, injury and six nations cover.

Just found it on the Guardian website, it's not as bad as I remember it being.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ja ... and-saxons

Quite a bit is about Billy and the saxons etc. but the one bit stands out for me: "Speak to everyone at Leicester ... there are a lot of frustrations there."

[Moose]

PM76 do you have a link to Telegraph article to which you refer? I had a quick look on Telegraph website but nothing came up, would be interested to see what was said. Still think it is unwise to not pick a player based solely on them signing elsewhere next season, we still have a fair few games to get through and surely we need all our squad depth for rotation, injury and six nations cover.

not 100% sure but it could be this one from the guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/ja ... and-saxons

[sapajo]

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill: "I was desperate for the lads to go for the drop - probably about 14 times before Geordan finally delivered.

[Tiglon]

I expect Flood to be on the bench for England, leaving Ford as the prime candidate for the Tigers spot.

On the (now boring) Twelvetrees subject... many of those criticising his absence from the team are the same people who criticise England for picking players simply because they won't be around for the next WC. Shouldn't Tigers plan for next season too, and give game time to players who will be around in the future, rather than those who have placed their commitment elsewhere?