Tigers Vs. Irish

[PM76]

While Montpellier might be looming on the horizon the next two Premiership are crucial if Tigers don’t want to be left behind in the competition for the top 2, although if there’s a time to go 3 games without a win in the Prem it’s in the first third of the season!

In terms of selection I’d like to see:

Boris, Briggs, Cole
Kitchener, Parling
Gibson, Waldrom, Salvi
Youngs, Flood
Bowden, Smith
Thompstone, Morris, Hamilton

Tom Youngs, Bristow, Balmain, Deacon, Crane, Mele, Williams, Benjamin

Main calls are at 2, 4, 8 and in the back 3 IMO. I think Deacon will probably start although I’d like to see Kitchener partnering Geoff, Kitch’s carrying and pace will be an asset. Disappointing for Ed to be out- he has been in exceptional form this season but, at least, it is only a short term injury (mentioned on the Unoffy as 2 weeks due to a broken bone in his hand) Gibson did played well during the LV, I thought he was impressive vs. Ospreys and was praised on RL after Worcester, so he surely deserves to start at 6 ahead of Waldrom or Crane, although once Mafi or Matera are back one of them will surely slot in at 6. Waldrom or Crane has been discussed a lot on this board, and I’m in the “horses for courses” camp and if Tigers are serious about getting a TBP and hitting some attacking form before the HC then Waldrom is the obvious choice although I wouldn’t be surprised to see Crane start.

Resting, or benching, Cole is a possibility although I think Dan needs to start without Marcos + Logo to ensure things go well at the scrum. I would start Tom Youngs on the bench to keep him fresh, although Cockers normally puts in the internationals straight back into the side. Hopefully Geoff, Ben Youngs and Floody will be revitalised after having a relatively easy time of it over the past 4 weeks!

The only other calls are in the back 3. I’m presuming it will be at least another week until Goneva is fit! It would be great to see Benjamin start but if he and Thompstone are in the back 3 Tigers lack a “second full-back” and that combination didn’t work particularly well over in Ulster. Thompstone has been a remarkably consistent finisher over the past 14 months and while Benjamin probably offers a little more Thompstone deserves to start while Miles continues to acclimatise- I just hope Cockers isn’t afraid to use him off the bench, he could have an excellent impact if he shows his usual desire for “work”. Scotty should start at 14 while Blaine is with the Eagles.

Hopefully the England boys will be back with a bang and inspired by the youngsters in the LV the side will hit some form with a TBP. But it will probably be a stodgy affair and as long as Tigers win, and avoid the sloppy draw of a couple of years ago, then I’ll be relatively happy. Will be interesting to see how James O'Connor gets too!

[TTRITH]

IMO we need to put out as strong side as possible. Hopefully Tait will be back but I doubt it. Would like to see Benjamin start, as we for once should be able to field some strong and exciting backs. In the forwards the England lot need to come straight in. With Slater injured I hope Cockers plays both Waldrom and Crane, with Gibson to come on and slot in. In terms of the bench I hope that Thacker gets his chance as he certainly fought for it, whilst I would like to see Schuster brought into the league 23 as hopefully he's starting to get to grips with the laws. Also would be tempted to bring Lamb onto the bench if he's fit. In conclusion, this would be my 23:

15. Niall Morris
14. Miles Benjamin
13. Matt Smith
12. Dan Bowden
11. Adam Thompstone
10. Toby Flood
9. Ben Youngs
1. Boris Stankovich
2. Tom Youngs
3. Dan Cole
4. Louis Deacon
5. Geoff Parling
6. Thomas Waldrom
7. Julian Salvi
8. Jordan Crane

16. Harry Thacker
17. Jerome Schuster
18. Fraiser Balmain
19. Graham Kitchener
20. Jamie Gibson
21. David Mele
22. Ryan Lamb/Owen Williams
23. Mat Tait/Scott Hamilton

[sam16111986]

Tom Youngs has been on the bench for two weeks so will be raring to go and play for Tigers. Put him back in as he's a big player for us and we need an AP win.

[kpj tiger]

I would go for

1. Stankovich
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Kitchener
5. Parling
6. Gibson
7. Salvi
8. Waldrom
9. Youngs
10. Flood (C)
11. Benjamin
12. Bowden
13. Smith
14. Thompstone
15. Morris

16. Bristow
17. Thacker - Im pretty sure he can cope against the LI front row
18. Balmain
19. De Chaves
20. Crane
21. Mele
22. Williams
23. Hamilton/Tait

[tigerburnie]

I would go for

1. Stankovich
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Kitchener
5. Parling
6. Gibson
7. Salvi
8. Waldrom
9. Youngs
10. Flood (C)
11. Benjamin
12. Bowden
13. Smith
14. Thompstone
15. Morris

16. Bristow
17. Thacker - Im pretty sure he can cope against the LI front row
18. Balmain
19. De Chaves
20. Crane
21. Mele
22. Williams
23. Hamilton/Tait

I like the look of that side, we cannot under estimate the Not Nots and we could do with a good win to build on after the two excellent LV results

[GT1]

Not sure Salvi should start as we need him fit for the 2 Montpelier games! On the bench safely wrapped up & start against Glous next w/e to be ready for HC

[ourla]

Personally, aside from Cole, I don't see why you wouldn't put all the England boys back in. They must be chomping at the bit. I think there are one or two have stated a claim from the LV matches. Gibson for one.

[TigerLad]

I would go for

15.Morris
14.Benjamin
13.Smith
12.Bowden
11.Thompstone
10.Flood
9.YBY
1.Stankovich
2.OTY
3.Cole
4.Kitch
5.Parling
6.Waldrom
7.Gibson
8.Crane

It's tempting to put Thacker on the bench on the back of his LV performances, but if OTY were to get injured after 5 minutes playing 75 minutes may be a step too far for Thacker at the minute. Although I would love to see him bench and make an impact I can't see it happening. Pohe is also probably in this situation as well, although he is only really one injury away from a spot in the 23. I would have Gibson at 7 simply because we can't afford to lose him for the Montpellier games. I have to say if any of Thacker, Benjamin and/or Pohe are in the match day squad I will be a lot more excited for the game. Mafi will be back for the Glaws game next week, his child is okay but he wants to stay for a few more days.
http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Frust ... story.html (bottom of article)

[BJ.]

Team's up!

15 Scott Hamilton
14 Niall Morris
13 Matt Smith
12 Dan Bowden
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Toby Flood (c)
9 Ben Youngs
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Louis Deacon
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Neil Briggs
17 Tom Bristow
18 Dan Cole
19 Sebastian De Chaves
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 David Mélé
22 Owen Williams
23 Adam Thompstone

Courtesy of here.

[Jumbo]

Not bad considering....

LEICESTER TIGERS (v London Irish, Welford Road, Saturday 3pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Niall Morris
13 Matt Smith
12 Dan Bowden
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Toby Flood (c)
9 Ben Youngs
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Louis Deacon
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Neil Briggs
17 Tom Bristow
18 Dan Cole
19 Sebastian De Chaves
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 David Mélé
22 Owen Williams
23 Adam Thompstone

[Brianf]

...and here is the Irish team

15. James O’Connor
14.Topsy Ojo
13.Fergus Mulchrone
12. Eamonn Sheridan
11. Marland Yarde
10. Shane Geraghty
9. Tomás O’Leary
1. John Yapp
2. David Paice
3. Leo Halavatau
Ian Gough
5. George Skivington (Captain)
6. Jebb Sinclair
7. Blair Cowan
8. Chris Hala’ufia*

Replacements:
16. Jimmy Stevens
17 Matt Parr
18. Jamie Hagan
19.Nic Rouse
20 Danny Kenny
21. Guy Armitage
22. Myles Dorrian
23. Darren Allinson

[longlivethecrumbie]

Did I miss something - is Ed Slater broken too or is he 'rested'?

[Soggypitch]

Yes I'm surprised about Slater as well unless he's injured.
Having said that, it's a more balanced back row IMO and I'm pleased for Gibson.
I see Cockers love child Crane is preferred as usual to TTTE!

Most concerning is the back 3 match up. Yarde, Ojo and O'Connor v Hamilton, Morris and Benjamin. We won't be lacking in effort but we will in terms of outright pace!!

The forwards need to do a good job, if they do we will win, if not that's a pacey and skillful LI back line and we could have a few problems......I hope not!!!

[kpj tiger]

Yes I'm surprised about Slater as well unless he's injured.
Having said that, it's a more balanced back row IMO and I'm pleased for Gibson.
I see Cockers love child Crane is preferred as usual to TTTE!

Most concerning is the back 3 match up. Yarde, Ojo and O'Connor v Hamilton, Morris and Benjamin. We won't be lacking in effort but we will in terms of outright pace!!

The forwards need to do a good job, if they do we will win, if not that's a pacey and skillful LI back line and we could have a few problems......I hope not!!!

Benjamin is as quick as O'Connor and Yarde and isnt much slower than Ojo, Morris will give all three a run for their money and so will Matt Smith

[DCATsOLDMAN]

Ed Slater has a chipped bone in his wrist and is out until "next month".

Reported earlier this week in the Merc and repeated today in their report on his signing a new contract.