Sarries next week

[DeadlyDunc]

Hoping to see
1. Bateman
2. Kerr
3. Cole
4. Spencer
5. Fitzgerald
6. Williams
7. Evans
8. Kalamafoni
9. White
10. Toomua
11. Sarto
12. Eastmond
13. Owen
14. Olowofela
15. Holmes

16. Youngs
17. Faeo
18. Heyes
19. Wells
20. Denton
21. Harrison
22. Hardwick
23. Aspland-Robinson

Decent pick there RB. My one big worry would be Owen defence on the turn

Yeah I'd play anyone but Owen based on his performances this season. That said, perhaps you could argue he's due a decent game but I'd go with Hardwick at 12 and Eastmond at 13 particularly as Hardwick would benefit from the game time assuming he's fully fit

[drc_007]

Hoping to see
1. Bateman
2. Kerr
3. Cole
4. Spencer
5. Fitzgerald
6. Williams
7. Evans
8. Kalamafoni
9. White
10. Toomua
11. Sarto
12. Eastmond
13. Owen
14. Olowofela
15. Holmes

16. Youngs
17. Faeo
18. Heyes
19. Wells
20. Denton
21. Harrison
22. Hardwick
23. Aspland-Robinson

I really don't rate Owen in defence. I'd bring in Hardwick at 10, Toomua 12, Eastmond 13.

[BG01]

Hoping to see
1. Bateman
2. Kerr
3. Cole
4. Spencer
5. Fitzgerald
6. Williams
7. Evans
8. Kalamafoni
9. White
10. Toomua
11. Sarto
12. Eastmond
13. Owen
14. Olowofela
15. Holmes

16. Youngs
17. Faeo
18. Heyes
19. Wells
20. Denton
21. Harrison
22. Hardwick
23. Aspland-Robinson

This looks like the right starting XV to me. Only change is that GM said that Spencer likely to be off the bench so would swap him and Wells. I'd also rather see Varndell start that Sarto, although appreciate that Varndell/Jordan might be a bit samey samey.

Edit: I realise the answer to that might be Varndell/Sarto combination starting, which would give us good experience in a relatively young team. Although I think Owen should probably start would be tempted to drop him from the 23 and partner Eastmond with SAR/Jordan/Hardwick.

[MikeR]

Owen - you must be joking . Hardwick/Toomua to start at 10/12 and Eastmond at 13.

[JP14]

Looks like Cole might feature.

[AngusMcCoatup]

Referee is Tom Foley, with Paul Dix & Peter Allen. Graham Hughes in the tmo wagon!

[voice of the crumbie]

Looks like Cole might feature.

According to the Independent Cole released, Genge retained.

[Hot_Charlie]

Owen - you must be joking . Hardwick/Toomua to start at 10/12 and Eastmond at 13.

I'm tending to agree with not having Owen. He played well when he got the chance last season until he was injured at Sarries; this season he hasn't shown the same spark. I thought against Scarlets he really looked out of place.

I'd rather see the above combo, or even shift try another option at 13. Varndell on the 4G would be good to see too.

[JP14]

not sure Eastmond is a 13 which is why I predicted a midfield combination of Toomua, Hardwick and Worth.

[Ian Cant]

I don’t think Denton will be available as he still isn’t doing contact, and Geordan said he still had issues with his concussion. Thomson also out and again, worryingly going for another scan on his hand. Bad luck again as we have seen very little of these 3 very good forwards.
I think Joe Ford will play with Tomua alongside. Away from home I’d like to see young Hardwick involved to gain more invaluable experience.
Certainly won’t be a repeat of last year but a losing bonus point and good performance would be a step in the battle to avoid relegation.

[Scott1]

Ford at 10? A single tear just rolled down my cheek

[fortysix]

Even Murphy cant pick J Ford at 10 after a series of performances Syston would drop him for--------------surely ??

[JP14]

I don’t think Denton will be available as he still isn’t doing contact, and Geordan said he still had issues with his concussion. Thomson also out and again, worryingly going for another scan on his hand. Bad luck again as we have seen very little of these 3 very good forwards.
I think Joe Ford will play with Tomua alongside. Away from home I’d like to see young Hardwick involved to gain more invaluable experience.
Certainly won’t be a repeat of last year but a losing bonus point and good performance would be a step in the battle to avoid relegation.

Even though Murphy said Denton could be available ?

[RagingBull]

Leicester Tigers (v Saracens, away, Saturday 3.00pm)
15 George Worth
14 Jonah Holmes
13 Gareth Owen
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Tom Varndell
10 Matt Toomua
9 Ben White
1 Greg Bateman
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O’Connor
8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements
16 Jake Kerr
17 Facundo Gigena
18 Joe Heyes
19 Will Evans
20 Harry Wells
21 Sam Harrison
22 Tom Hardwick
23 Sam Aspland-Robinson

[Scott1]

Decent 23! Owen scares me at 13 though,no Ford though is the right call.