Tigers vs Bristol

[TigerFeetSteve]

Murphy confirms Freddie Steward missed the game against Toulon with a "personal issue".

"We were relieved to get him back out there as soon as possible, so he will feature tomorrow night."


Murphy on the absence of Tom Hardwick and Jordan Olowofela from the squad; both have played twice since the restart:

"Both guys are fit and available, we just selected the side we thought would be best for us. Different players have been putting their hand up and working hard."

Murphy on team selection: "We’ve chosen this block of 8 to 10 games as an opportunity to grow and develop the squad ahead of next season.

"We know we’re not in a position to compete for higher honours, and the Champions Cup is out of our grasp. So we are blooding new players".

Personal issue definitely sounds like a lost passport or similar to me given the rumours. Or even just he didn't have one, a few weeks ago he could have hardly anticipated that he was the most likely starting 15 for a European Semifinal given he's only a development squad player not in the Senior squad.

[OakhamTiger32]

Sorry if I’m going over old ground, but where has Tom Hardwick gone? Injured or completely out of favour like someone suggested about Jordan O in an earlier post?

Hardwick has fallen out of favour with the currently coaches so hasn't featured much lately.. not since he was taken off mid-way through the first half against Glos in fact. Not injured as far as I am aware.

I can't see TH getting ahead of Henry in the pecking order anytime soon and with Bonilla inbound for next season I think he's in a similar boat to JO sadly. We have some decent options in midfield too with Moroni, Porter, Scott, Taute, Muri, Worth, Kelly all likely to get the nod ahead of him so not promising.

GM's comment recently pretty much sums it up!

[kk20gb30]

CMK now "Sir"......

That's lessened the chances of a fair & good game.

But increased the chances of the TMO having a busy night...

[OakhamTiger32]

CMK now "Sir"......

That's lessened the chances of a fair & good game.

But increased the chances of the TMO having a busy night...

Bristol Bears v Leicester Tigers (Ashton Gate, 5.30pm) Live on BT Sport Extra 3HD

Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys
Assistant Referees: Tom Foley & Paul Dix
TMO: Claire Hodnett

I think CMK is ok.. there are far worse options. Decent assistants and TMO so no complaints from me

[tigerburnie]

We need to maintain our discipline and take the officials out of the equation.

[Noggs]

We can't have Barnes every week (but it would be nice if we could)

[OakhamTiger32]

We can't have Barnes every week (but it would be nice if we could)

It would be! Just as long as we don't have the officials from last weekends match against Toulon again!

[wellstiger]

Lets be honest - we've made it easy for the Sirs by giving silly penalties away.
Although last weekend was poor my the Sirs. Did the inflated number supporters have the sway along with two french lines persons and TMO.?

Lets compete but use our heads.And Sirs please martial the offside rule.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

It would of been better if Poite had been Sir on Saturday night, the man in the middle was off the scale bad, not sure what game he was watching, but it wasn't the one I watched.

[RagingBull]

https://crouchbindset.net/news/nadolo-r ... er-tigers/

[Dangerous4]

We're doomed!

Do our younger up and coming guys really benefit from being well beaten? Just a thought.

As far as next season goes, the one thing we need, which we lack now, is CONFIDENCE!

[AshbyTiger]

We're doomed!

Do our younger up and coming guys really benefit from being well beaten? Just a thought.

As far as next season goes, the one thing we need, which we lack now, is CONFIDENCE!

In short, yes.
You can learn things in losses as well as wins. It seems to be a constant idea on this forum that it is only possible to learn something when you win.

[Scott1]

I wouldnt want Barnes when we are playing Saints! And CMK is awful,nowhere near top league standard

[wellstiger]

Judging by this restart of the season, I believe SB will have an idea what squad he has.
Question -
After these last two games - Are there expected outgoings.
Will we see incommings.
Is the plan taking shape. Are we setting down the DNA.

How much into the next season are we going to keep making excuses for big losses by claiming "we are rebuilding and it takes time"

[ABClub]

Judging by this restart of the season, I believe SB will have an idea what squad he has.
Question -
After these last two games - Are there expected outgoings.
Will we see incommings.
Is the plan taking shape. Are we setting down the DNA.

How much into the next season are we going to keep making excuses for big losses by claiming "we are rebuilding and it takes time"

Outgoing - Other than the loan signings (Williams, Forsyth and Jennings) I believe all the squad are in contract for 2020/21.

Incoming - TRP rumours we are looking at prop (development LH/TH), flyhalf (Bonilla signed), outside centre and wing (I wonder if that is dependent on Williams extending, which I hope he does).

How far into next season - If we go far at all performing like this then relegation will be a real possibility, so hopefully not at all. Having the England players available for both Falcons games will be important.