Tigers vs Brive

[OakhamTiger32]

If Genge, Ford or B Youngs are not used from the bench, would that be included as a rest week?

I think it's that elite players are limited to 30 lots of 80 minutes or 35 involvements in a matchday squad, whichever comes sooner. Given they will be unavailable for Tigers for much of the season I'm not sure which would come first but clearly warming the bench will still count towards their total. Don't want to find that they are unavailable for the final at Twickenham!

[westwinds31]

Yes, on paper this looks good, but I’m not expecting a full flowing demolition of Brive. A lot of our backline have only played with each other a handful of times and it can take a while to get, so I’m not expecting miracles. Who is running the attack ....the cleaner ? I want to see more from White.

[DingDong]

Very happy with that.
Will give us a proper look at Bonilla as well with some fellow Argentines.

Against a weak side? I personally don't think so. I'm glad he's got a start to build his confidence, but the real test will be in a full squad against a full squad of calibre, that pressure will give us a proper look. And BTW I hope he does go well despite two very poor performances.

[OakhamTiger32]

Very happy with that.
Will give us a proper look at Bonilla as well with some fellow Argentines.

Against a weak side? I personally don't think so. I'm glad he's got a start to build his confidence, but the real test will be in a full squad against a full squad of calibre, that pressure will give us a proper look. And BTW I hope he does go well despite two very poor performances.

He's rusty after a bit of time out and has made a couple of high pressure, off the bench appearances in a key position in a new team/league. It's not really surprising he's taking time to find his feet so I think it will give us a good look at him. His game management and his kicking out of hand and off the tee. Yes it's not Premiership quality opposition but I think we will get a good look at him nonetheless.

[Old Hob]

Referee is a Georgian. I don't know if that will make a difference but perhaps more used to the French game?

[DingDong]

Very happy with that.
Will give us a proper look at Bonilla as well with some fellow Argentines.

Against a weak side? I personally don't think so. I'm glad he's got a start to build his confidence, but the real test will be in a full squad against a full squad of calibre, that pressure will give us a proper look. And BTW I hope he does go well despite two very poor performances.

He's rusty after a bit of time out and has made a couple of high pressure, off the bench appearances in a key position in a new team/league. It's not really surprising he's taking time to find his feet so I think it will give us a good look at him. His game management and his kicking out of hand and off the tee. Yes it's not Premiership quality opposition but I think we will get a good look at him nonetheless.

[JP14]

The ref is Nika Amashukeli, who reffed a U20s Six Nations match between England and Italy in 2019. Should be interesting to see how he goes.

[RunTigerRun]

The ref is Nika Amashukeli, who reffed a U20s Six Nations match between England and Italy in 2019. Should be interesting to see how he goes.

Didn’t he referee one of our challenge cup games last year? I think it was a home one, against Pau maybe - I could be imagining this though so don’t take it as gospel!

[Tigerbeat]

The ref is Nika Amashukeli, who reffed a U20s Six Nations match between England and Italy in 2019. Should be interesting to see how he goes.

Didn’t he referee one of our challenge cup games last year? I think it was a home one, against Pau maybe - I could be imagining this though so don’t take it as gospel!

Correct.....he reffed the 41-20 win against Pau.

[RunTigerRun]

The ref is Nika Amashukeli, who reffed a U20s Six Nations match between England and Italy in 2019. Should be interesting to see how he goes.

Didn’t he referee one of our challenge cup games last year? I think it was a home one, against Pau maybe - I could be imagining this though so don’t take it as gospel!

Correct.....he reffed the 41-20 win against Pau.

Thanks! Glad to know I’ve not gone crazy and imagining things quite yet!

[sam16111986]

Yes, on paper this looks good, but I’m not expecting a full flowing demolition of Brive. A lot of our backline have only played with each other a handful of times and it can take a while to get, so I’m not expecting miracles. Who is running the attack ....the cleaner ? I want to see more from White.

Matt Smith is running the attack assisted by Bonilla and Wigglesworth (unofficially). I'm sure Benny and Ford will also have had some input, if we've got four senior international playmakers we might as well use what they know.

White has looked ok so far but his appearances have been very limited. Want to see him come on and boss things today.

[JP14]

The ref is Nika Amashukeli, who reffed a U20s Six Nations match between England and Italy in 2019. Should be interesting to see how he goes.

Didn’t he referee one of our challenge cup games last year? I think it was a home one, against Pau maybe - I could be imagining this though so don’t take it as gospel!

Correct.....he reffed the 41-20 win against Pau.

Ahh, unfortunately I missed that game as I had to hold the tackle bags for the Colts team so was unaware that Tigers have been reffed by him before.

[RunTigerRun]

Didn’t he referee one of our challenge cup games last year? I think it was a home one, against Pau maybe - I could be imagining this though so don’t take it as gospel!

Correct.....he reffed the 41-20 win against Pau.

Ahh, unfortunately I missed that game as I had to hold the tackle bags for the Colts team so was unaware that Tigers have been reffed by him before.

I only remember as I was listening on BBCRLSport and hearing Bleddyn pronounce it stuck in my mind!

[Chobbsy]

15 Freddie Steward

14 Kini Murimurivalu

13 Matias Moroni

12 Matt Scott

11 Nemani Nadolo

10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla

9 Ben White

1 Nephi Leatigaga

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Joe Heyes

4 Harry Wells

5 Tomas Lavanini

6 Hanro Liebenberg

7 Jordan Taufua

8 Jasper Wiese

Replacements

16 Charlie Clare

17 Ellis Genge

18 Luan De Bruin

19 Calum Green

20 Cyle Brink

21 Ben Youngs

22 George Ford

23 Guy Porter

Is Dan Cole injured or just being given a rest?

[fentiger]

Is Dan Cole injured or just being given a rest?

Probably being rested, along with Mat Tait