Teams Up v Newcastle (A)

[Iain]

Newcastle have a good back line there. Must not be underestimated.

We SHOULD have enough strength off the bench to win this. Key to winning is:

1. Don't let the pitch be an issue.
2. Don't be stupid.

[Iain]

Smart call starting with McGuigan, who will be experienced in scrummaging on that plastic monstrosity.

Thacker would still have been a better option methinks.

I disagree. He was painful to watch on the plastic against Saracens in the scrum last season. I suspect you have in mind his ability to be mobile - I take that and see where you're coming from, but in terms of being on the front foot up front I think McGuigan is the better shout.

[Brianf]

Well, the Newcastle falcons team, courtesy of their website:

15 Simon Hammersley

14 Vereniki Goneva

13 Dominic Waldouck

12 Juan Pablo Socino

11 Sinoti Sinoti

10 Mike Delany

9 Sonatane Takulua

1 Sam Lockwood

2 Scott Lawson

3 Jon Welsh

4 Calum Green

5 Evan Olmstead

6 Mark Wilson

7 Will Welch (captain)

8 Ally Hogg

Replacements

16 Ben Sowrey

17 Rob Vickers

18 Paddy Ryan

19 Will Witty

20 Dan Temm

21 Michael Young

22 Joel Hodgson

23 Belisario Agulla

[Roly]

Newcastle have a good back line there. Must not be underestimated.

We SHOULD have enough strength off the bench to win this. Key to winning is:

1. Don't let the pitch be an issue.
2. Don't be stupid.

Tigers screwed on both counts unfortunately.

[Roly]

Smart call starting with McGuigan, who will be experienced in scrummaging on that plastic monstrosity.

Thacker would still have been a better option methinks.

I disagree. He was painful to watch on the plastic against Saracens in the scrum last season. I suspect you have in mind his ability to be mobile - I take that and see where you're coming from, but in terms of being on the front foot up front I think McGuigan is the better shout.

Seriously, the entire team was painful to watch v Saracens on plastic. Singling Thacker out would be disingenuous.

[Roly]

So is the Falcons v Tigers thread started a few days ago...

[Brianf]

So is the Falcons v Tigers thread started a few days ago...

Just following previous posts regarding teams being announced Roly.

[Iain]

Seriously, the entire team was painful to watch v Saracens on plastic. Singling Thacker out would be disingenuous.

But he was a big part of the problem. He had a torrid time scrummaging on the plastic. McGuigan knows what he's doing on it.

[Brianf]

15 Mathew Tait (c)
14 Telusa Veainu
13 Peter Betham
12 Owen Williams
11 JP Pietersen
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 George McGuigan
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
16 Tom Youngs
17 Marcos Ayerza
18 Greg Bateman
19 Ed Slater
20 Will Evans
21 Jono Kitto
22 Jack Roberts
23 Adam Thompstone

[Big Dai]

Team:

Leicester Tigers (v Newcastle Falcons, away, Sunday 3pm)
15 Mathew Tait (c)
14 Telusa Veainu
13 Peter Betham
12 Owen Williams
11 JP Pietersen
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs
1 Ellis Genge
2 George McGuigan
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
16 Tom Youngs
17 Marcos Ayerza
18 Greg Bateman
19 Ed Slater
20 Will Evans
21 Jono Kitto
22 Jack Roberts
23 Adam Thompstone

would have preferred to see TV at FB and Thompstone on the wing? Good to see Owen back.

By the way Mods.....only way to get this posted was to use "Quote".....Reply sent me back round the "log on" route?

[Spicer]

What has Harrison done to deserve being dropped, yet Tait and Betham who have awful keep their places?

[Tigerbeat]

All Newcastle match threads have been merged

[Roly]

What has Harrison done to deserve being dropped, yet Tait and Betham who have awful keep their places?

You have to realise that Tigers team selection is done by the same people who are busy in December writing jokes for Christmas crackers.

Tait, Betham, Ayerza and a few others need to seriously up their games.

[Bundy]

I hope McCaffrey is being rested rather than injured??!!

[chewbacca]

Our centres are both playing out of position. I hope that we are not going to forget that when reviewing performances.