Toulon v Tigers - Challenge Cup Semi

[Noggs]

Pleased to see Kini at 15. He should get more chance to get involved and he is a proven dangerous runner from 15 with ball in hand.

[Duncan B]

Interested to see Steward not in the 23, I would imagine he must be injured? Anybody have any insight on that? I’ve been really enjoying his run in the 1st team.

[Noggs]

Interested to see Steward not in the 23, I would imagine he must be injured? Anybody have any insight on that? I’ve been really enjoying his run in the 1st team.

It wasn't listed in Smurfs injury update but he may have got a knock in training this week. He's a very good player and will be back.

[RagingBull]

The fact Kelly is in at 23 suggests he has a knock.
Tigers don’t usually announce injuries when match day squads are named.

Glad Kelly is picked though for that 23 shirt.

[Robespierre]

The Toulon team:
1 Gros 2 Etrillard 3 Gigashvili 4 Rebbaj 5 Taofifenua R 6 Ollivon 8 Parisse 7 Lakafia 9 Takalua 10 Carbonel 11Villière 12 Paia'Aua 13 Heem 14 Dakuwaqa 15 Ikpefan

16 Soury 17 Another Taofifenua 18 Setiano 19 Dridi 20 Alainu'Uese 21 Ory 22 Meric 23 Isa

Several "not very French" names, eh, and a few players I've not heard of.
However, I'd imagine that they're worth their places in the team and'll be a tough team for Tigers to beat.

[Noggs]

The fact Kelly is in at 23 suggests he has a knock.
Tigers don’t usually announce injuries when match day squads are named.

Glad Kelly is picked though for that 23 shirt.

I've not seen him play but as a 19 year old Irish U20's international he hopefully is ready for the step up, which in this case is a big one.

[Coops]

So for Toulon we have at 5 "Taofifenua" then at 17 we have "Another Taofifenua"

[SthrnTiger]

The fact Kelly is in at 23 suggests he has a knock.
Tigers don’t usually announce injuries when match day squads are named.

Glad Kelly is picked though for that 23 shirt.

I've not seen him play but as a 19 year old Irish U20's international he hopefully is ready for the step up, which in this case is a big one.

Really surprised Kelly has been picked - he’s a good prospect but surely Porter, Steward, Worth, and Williams are ahead of him?

Anyone agree or am I missing something?

[OakhamTiger32]

The fact Kelly is in at 23 suggests he has a knock.
Tigers don’t usually announce injuries when match day squads are named.

Glad Kelly is picked though for that 23 shirt.

I've not seen him play but as a 19 year old Irish U20's international he hopefully is ready for the step up, which in this case is a big one.

Really surprised Kelly has been picked - he’s a good prospect but surely Porter, Steward, Worth, and Williams are ahead of him?

Anyone agree or am I missing something?

Very happy with that team.. Would like to have seen Porter at 13 as I've not been convinced by Taute but otherwise it's a very strong XV with good impact off the bench. Good to see Potter getting rewarded for some solid performances and very excited to see Kini at 15.

Kelly has had a bit of game time so far. He started in midfield against Wasps (the less said about that match the better) and came off the bench in the Glos game.. not sure he'd get the nod over Porter so can only think Porter has picked up a knock as he was deemed fit to face Castres. Equally I would have thought Steward might get included based on current from but with Henry able to cover 10 & 15 and a great option to have on the bench perhaps having Kelly gives more cover in midfield.

[tigerburnie]

Looks like a very strong side we have picked, will be interesting how we travel and perform.
COME ON YOU TIGERRRrrrssssss

[sam16111986]

The fact Kelly is in at 23 suggests he has a knock.
Tigers don’t usually announce injuries when match day squads are named.

Glad Kelly is picked though for that 23 shirt.

I've not seen him play but as a 19 year old Irish U20's international he hopefully is ready for the step up, which in this case is a big one.

Really surprised Kelly has been picked - he’s a good prospect but surely Porter, Steward, Worth, and Williams are ahead of him?

Anyone agree or am I missing something?

There's been some cold and flu stuff going round. Maybe a couple of lads have picked up some of that and have been rested as a result. Could be knocks picked up in training though given the number of more experienced backs overlooked for Kelly that would presumably be quite a few. Interesting also that Smith is on the bench rather than Henderson or Chessum that would be more like for like replacements for Wells. I suppose we can always move Liebenburg to 6 or lock if we needed to.

[GETHIN EXILE]

I've not seen him play but as a 19 year old Irish U20's international he hopefully is ready for the step up, which in this case is a big one.

Really surprised Kelly has been picked - he’s a good prospect but surely Porter, Steward, Worth, and Williams are ahead of him?

Anyone agree or am I missing something?

Very happy with that team.. Would like to have seen Porter at 13 as I've not been convinced by Taute but otherwise it's a very strong XV with good impact off the bench. Good to see Potter getting rewarded for some solid performances and very excited to see Kini at 15.

Kelly has had a bit of game time so far. He started in midfield against Wasps (the less said about that match the better) and came off the bench in the Glos game.. not sure he'd get the nod over Porter so can only think Porter has picked up a knock as he was deemed fit to face Castres. Equally I would have thought Steward might get included based on current from but with Henry able to cover 10 & 15 and a great option to have on the bench perhaps having Kelly gives more cover in midfield.

Porter probably still on concussion return protocol and therefore not risked

[Scuttle]

Maybe the pick also has an eye to Bristol on Wednesday. Not saying winning last 2 Prem games is a massive priority but maybe ensuring we don't lose heavily is.

[OakhamTiger32]

Really surprised Kelly has been picked - he’s a good prospect but surely Porter, Steward, Worth, and Williams are ahead of him?

Anyone agree or am I missing something?

Very happy with that team.. Would like to have seen Porter at 13 as I've not been convinced by Taute but otherwise it's a very strong XV with good impact off the bench. Good to see Potter getting rewarded for some solid performances and very excited to see Kini at 15.

Kelly has had a bit of game time so far. He started in midfield against Wasps (the less said about that match the better) and came off the bench in the Glos game.. not sure he'd get the nod over Porter so can only think Porter has picked up a knock as he was deemed fit to face Castres. Equally I would have thought Steward might get included based on current from but with Henry able to cover 10 & 15 and a great option to have on the bench perhaps having Kelly gives more cover in midfield.

Porter probably still on concussion return protocol and therefore not risked

GM said he was fit to face Castres but not selected so I think he would have been available for this after his HIA

[LE18]

That looks a good side to me and hopefully will be a winning one, come on Tigers, lets end that losing run against French sides and especially Toulon. Wish I was there, super place to go!