Best underrated tigers XV

[TigerBain]

Me and my friend were discussing the brilliance of the Tigers in their ability to generate and develop international players, and lions. It then got us thinking, what would your best Tigers XV be, if all constituent players were those unlucky to receive international honors. Apologies if this has been discussed before, but would be interested to hear your thoughts.

[physiodan]

1. Stankovich
2. Buckland
3. Castrogiovanni (at present)
4. Marco Wenztzel
5. Leo Cullen
6. Paul Gustard
7. Ben Herring/Shane Jennings
8. Henry Tuilagi
9. Scott Bemmand
10. Ian Humphreys
11. Leon Lloyd (could have had more caps)
12. Sam Vesty (Played in too many positions but always a great 12)
13. Dan Hipkiss (Same as Lloyd)
14. Steve Booth
15. Jonny Murphy

[mol2]

Tigerbain, are your criteria that they should not have received senior international recognition?

[TigerBain]

Yes, best tigers xv with players who failed to receive senior international recognition, sorry for any confusion.

[glenn]

Surely john wells is a given at 6? Matt poole?

[Tigerbeat]

Surely john wells is a given at 6? Matt poole?

Agree

[glenn]

Kardooni at scrum half and the redferns propping, dave lougheed on one wing please, hooking would be kayser ordorian west.jaco van de westheusen in any position too

[Hot_Charlie]

Yes, best tigers xv with players who failed to receive senior international recognition, sorry for any confusion.

Is 13 the same Hipkiss who played in the 2007 World Cup final? I'd count that as international recognition. Ollie Smith, now he admittedly played for England, but should have won 50 caps, not 5, and was massively underrated. Hipkiss possibly won a fair number of caps based on ability.

[Eon B]

John Lilley would be a great fullback who never achieved an England Cap (maybe one) but was a great club servant.

Van der westheusen was awesome, but uncapped? not sure. Under rated? Never!

[kpj tiger]

Yes, best tigers xv with players who failed to receive senior international recognition, sorry for any confusion.

Is 13 the same Hipkiss who played in the 2007 World Cup final? I'd count that as international recognition. Ollie Smith, now he admittedly played for England, but should have won 50 caps, not 5, and was massively underrated. Hipkiss possibly won a fair number of caps based on ability.

Dan Hipkiss probably deserved a few more caps himself but i agree regarding Ollie Smith, he should have won 50+ caps for England

[DickyP]

I like the idea of the thread but it really is difficult to decide who qualifies isn't it? After all a number of those listed DID get capped - so possibly we look at those who didn't get regular caps; or those who couldn't get in the team but were getting caps. After all Castro, Cullen, Jennings, H Tuilagi, Vesty, Hipkiss and Lloyd are all internationals.

Surprised that no-one yet has raised Billy 12T. Or Will Skinner who had the misfortune to be trying to compete with the likes of Moody, Back etc.

To me the best international who just didn't get the recognition he deserved was Pat Howard but he did, of course, always hold his place in the Tiger team.

We could also go the other way and talk about those who got more recognition than they really deserved. My candidate for this would be Vardell.

[Hot_Charlie]

Surprised that no-one yet has raised Billy 12T. Or Will Skinner who had the misfortune to be trying to compete with the likes of Moody, Back etc.

We could also go the other way and talk about those who got more recognition than they really deserved. My candidate for this would be Vardell.

I think we still have to see with 12Ts, as he's still developing, and, with an injury or two, or change in selection policy away from Barritt, could still win a few caps.

Skinner was unfortunate here, then seemed to fall out of favour with Quins post Deano.

As for TV, I think he's not internationally on the radar for the same reasons as he wasn't when he was with us!

[tigerburnie]

There were lots back in the '70's Gary Adey got one cap at 8 , the Beebs commentator Bletherin' made the most appearances,Duggan,Barker, a certain member of the aristocracy in the second row. Until we we won those three John Player Cups we were not looked upon as "fashionable".

[One Over The Eight]

Stuart Potter - bloomin' marvellous centre. Unfortunate to be playing at the same time as a certain W. Carling! Potter managed a whole 2 mins for the senior national side

[Chobbsy]

[quote="glenn"]Surely john wells is a given at 6? Matt poole?[/quote]

Matt did get 1 cap :(