Tigers v Saints AWC Saturday 28th Jan.

[Tigerbeat]

Doubt whether Sam Harrison will be playing this weekend. Expect Kitto to start.

A win this weekend would be great for confidence and could also see the team qualify for the Semi Finals. If Bath and Saracens win and Tigers win, qualification for the semis is secured.

[Seal]

Thacker currently on holiday in Iceland, so not sure he'll be playing at the weekend.

In regards to England players. They are in camp at the moment, but could be released to clubs if required.

[wormus]

Oh no it's the Referee we had at Racing92 Ben Whitehouse on Saturday Ugh!
But what team will we put out? or what team are we able to put out prising players off the treatment table?
Will Marcos Ayerza, Telusa Veainu,Catchpole, Bryant, Croft?, Rizzo be back. Is it too soon for JPP? I expect Harrison or H Thacker to Captain. Kitchener, Wells & Charlie Thacker + Worth, Evans & Development / Academy to feature. This may be our only chance @ EPNS silverware!

Ayerza - Maybe
Veainu - still around 3 weeks away
Catchpole - out for season
Bryant - not sure
Croft - not sure
Rizzo - Maybe
JPP - still 3 weeks away

Would go
1) Rizzo, 2) Thacker, 3) Cilliers
4) Barrow, 5) Kitchener
6) Croft/McCaffrey, 7) Evans, 8) Hamilton
9) Harrison, 10) Burns (BUT prob Worth due to depht)
12) Smith, 13) Roberts
11) Yawayawa, 14) Brady, 15) Tait/Worth

16) McGuigan, 17) Marcos/Bateman, 18) Bateman/Betts
18) Fitzgerald, 19) BOC/MCCaffrey maybe Fred Jnr depending on depth
20) Kitto, 21) Hardwick/Tait, 23) Charlie Thacker

There is an U/18's match on Saturday 12:00 @ Oval Park v Wasps so I expect Tom Hardwick will be there as he was last week v Sale.
However may Owen Williams be available? Hoping Crofty makes a return in the AWC.

[Noddy555]

Which Thacker is in Iceland Harry or Charlie and anyway that's only a 2 hour flight away, so the player can be speedily returned. I think Kitchener will definitely start on Saturday together with Dom Barrow if he's fit. God I think the Tigers medical room is fuller now than an army medical room and that's saying something!

[trendylfj]

Lets hope someone has taught him the knock on law and given him some clues as to who our substitutes are and how to recognise them when we are substituting a player. I look forward to seeing Mr Whitehouse ref in person.

[RagingBull]

Which Thacker is in Iceland Harry or Charlie and anyway that's only a 2 hour flight away, so the player can be speedily returned. I think Kitchener will definitely start on Saturday together with Dom Barrow if he's fit. God I think the Tigers medical room is fuller now than an army medical room and that's saying something!

Harry

[Mark62]

Lets hope someone has taught him the knock on law and given him some clues as to who our substitutes are and how to recognise them when we are substituting a player. I look forward to seeing Mr Whitehouse ref in person.

Sure I read somewhere that he's being mentored by Nigel. His dad was a first class ref too

[Seal]

He did not look at all fit enough to ref a Nat 1 he let alone top level Europe.

[rdracup]

Any speculation on the crowd? Obviously there is the announced Tickets sold number which starts at season tickets sold + any additional. Maybe 17/18,000. Attendance - well - 10/11,000 perhap. Given it is on (BT) TV it might even be less, though i hope not.

[MrPartridge]

Any speculation on the crowd? Obviously there is the announced Tickets sold number which starts at season tickets sold + any additional. Maybe 17/18,000. Attendance - well - 10/11,000 perhap. Given it is on (BT) TV it might even be less, though i hope not.

Club website is saying 'tickets in huge demand so book now to avoid disappointment'. I'd be surprised if this sells out... unless gloating Saints fans are buying them all up

[rdracup]

Any speculation on the crowd? Obviously there is the announced Tickets sold number which starts at season tickets sold + any additional. Maybe 17/18,000. Attendance - well - 10/11,000 perhap. Given it is on (BT) TV it might even be less, though i hope not.

Club website is saying 'tickets in huge demand so book now to avoid disappointment'. I'd be surprised if this sells out... unless gloating Saints fans are buying them all up

I thought "huge" demand might be a bit of hype by the club, but I was very wrong. Just logged on to Ticket site and it is true very few tickets left. I shall revise my estimate .. could be nearer 20k. If it is it will be a great statement following last week, assuming 10k aren't stains! It will be interesting to see how well heavy season ticket sections of the ground are populated.

[Iain]

The club said only 800 left. Though I suspect there will be a fair few season tickets not attending.

[dunks43]

Also a lot of free tickets have been offered to school children

[ourla]

I put me and my sons tickets up for buyback for both Glasgow and Saints - and they got resold, so clearly there is demand from somewhere!

[Iain]

Also a lot of free tickets have been offered to school children

I should be happy with this and encourage it. Thing is, these tickets tend to fill the seats around me, and you know....