Team vs Saints

[sam16111986]

Beating Saints is always a highlight but let's be realistic I'm just looking for us to be competitive and with more of a game plan than has been seen recently.

Saints have really struggled since the restart. Only LI, ourselves and Worcester have worse records. That's one win and five losses for Saints with two bonus points. If we put out a decent team and are not competitive here then we should be worried.

I say competitive and not winning because Boyd has had an awful lot more time to get that Saints team playing how he wants them to. I'd certainly hope we can put their scrum under pressure as that is an area where they've looked surprisingly off colour.

[jgriffin]

As expected but Ford out with leg injury.

[Dangerous4]

Yes, I want to see the Saints put to the sword by a devastating Tigers team.

[MurphysLaw]

Good news, I think, Wayne Barnes is refereeing the game this weekend.
However, not so good news imo, is the tv ref - Rowan Kitt.
Rightly or wrongly, tv refs now have a significant influence on games, and we never seem to get the 'rub of the green' with 'Kitty' and his interpretations.Or maybe it's just my imagination!

[Ian Cant]

Good to see Henry get a chance at 10 even though it’s due to George being injured.
Forget the form of Saints as I’ve always said if Saints could be brainwashed into thinking they were playing us every week they’d be unbeatable!
Tigers haven’t “turned up” in the last couple of games against Saints and have been heavily defeated. Time to restore pride!
Despite both clubs having European games the following week, this is the one that matters!

[SthrnTiger]

Good to hear Wayne Barnes is in charge obviously not infallible but is a class above the others. Other good thing about Barnes is that not afraid to overrule overzealous TMOs.

[Noggs]

Henry/Bigger will be an interesting match as will the two back rows. Bring it on

[ourla]

Two strong teams - looks like this match will be the real deal.

[happywomble]

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Welford Road, Sunday 2.00pm)

15 Freddie Steward

14 Kini Murimurivalu

13 Guy Porter

12 Matt Scott

11 Nemani Nadolo

10 Zack Henry

9 Ben Youngs (vc)

1 Facundo Gigena

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole (vc)

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Luke Wallace

8 Hanro Liebenberg

Replacements:

16 Charlie Clare

17 Ellis Genge

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Thom Smith

20 Jordan Taufua

21 Ben White

22 Johnny McPhillips

23 Harry Potter

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 James Fish, 3 Owen Franks, 4 David Ribbans, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam, 8 Teimana Harrison (c). Reps: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun,18 Paul Hill, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Nick Isiekwe, 21 JJ Tonks, 22 Henry Taylor, 23 Fraser Dingwall

[happywomble]

Really looking forward to seeing our back three in action!!!

[Chobbsy]

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Welford Road, Sunday 2.00pm)

15 Freddie Steward

14 Kini Murimurivalu

13 Guy Porter

12 Matt Scott

11 Nemani Nadolo

10 Zack Henry

9 Ben Youngs (vc)

1 Facundo Gigena

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole (vc)

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Luke Wallace

8 Hanro Liebenberg

Replacements:

16 Charlie Clare

17 Ellis Genge

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Thom Smith

20 Jordan Taufua

21 Ben White

22 Johnny McPhillips

23 Harry Potter

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 James Fish, 3 Owen Franks, 4 David Ribbans, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam, 8 Teimana Harrison (c). Reps: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun,18 Paul Hill, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Nick Isiekwe, 21 JJ Tonks, 22 Henry Taylor, 23 Fraser Dingwall

Do we know when Kobus van Wyk joins us?

[MCC1964]

It's a funny, topsy turvy world I'm in at the moment. General optimism last week, a bit of despair yesterday, lickling my lips today!

[OakhamTiger32]

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Welford Road, Sunday 2.00pm)

15 Freddie Steward

14 Kini Murimurivalu

13 Guy Porter

12 Matt Scott

11 Nemani Nadolo

10 Zack Henry

9 Ben Youngs (vc)

1 Facundo Gigena

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole (vc)

4 Tomás Lavanini

5 Calum Green

6 Harry Wells

7 Luke Wallace

8 Hanro Liebenberg

Replacements:

16 Charlie Clare

17 Ellis Genge

18 Nephi Leatigaga

19 Thom Smith

20 Jordan Taufua

21 Ben White

22 Johnny McPhillips

23 Harry Potter

Northampton Saints: 15 George Furbank, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 13 Matt Proctor, 12 Rory Hutchinson, 11 Taqele Naiyaravoro, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Alex Mitchell; 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 James Fish, 3 Owen Franks, 4 David Ribbans, 5 Api Ratuniyarawa, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Lewis Ludlam, 8 Teimana Harrison (c). Reps: 16 Mike Haywood, 17 Emmanuel Iyogun,18 Paul Hill, 19 Alex Moon, 20 Nick Isiekwe, 21 JJ Tonks, 22 Henry Taylor, 23 Fraser Dingwall

Do we know when Kobus van Wyk joins us?

GM update to Leicestershire Live on 08 Sep:

“We're hopeful to get him in as soon as possible. The Visa centres are currently closed in New Zealand due to an outbreak of Covid which has been slightly problematic, but we are trying our very best to get him out of the country. His wife is due in about nine weeks, so, it's important we get her on a plane as soon as possible. We can't do anything while those Visa centres are closed. That is a Covid-induced wait and see."

[maroontrunks]

After the carping about selection in the midweek games, it looks like the coaches have got it spot in for a match they're clearly aiming to win this weekend. Henry stepping in for Ford is great, though I'm still nervous about McPhillips on the bench, and hopefully Henry's flair will combine well with Youngs's control. Wells at 6 is clearly the right call knowing that Lawes would also be selected out of position, and with Reffell's injury, Taufua on the bench makes sense given his versatility and leadership abilities, which will become important if/when the captain and vice captains are subbed.

I hope we see a heroic effort from the forwards which will allow us to release the backs. Having a second fullback should be useful given our weakness under the high ball and lack of kick chase nous at present, here's hoping the plays have been adapted a bit to bring in the power on the wing. I'm not expecting miracles but I am expecting the team to play out of their skins and make life difficult for Northampton. Both sides are a little bit low on confidence at the moment but I think this could turn out to be a classic match as everyone has a lot to prove.

[OakhamTiger32]

Despite both clubs having European games the following week, this is the one that matters!

I know what you mean and I'm not understating the importance of this game but it's not.. next week is far more important imho