Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

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sam16111986
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by sam16111986 »

It is nice to have options.

Van Wyk, Montoya, Heyes
Wells, Henderson
Chessum, van Staden, Weise
JVP, Burns
Socino, Scott
Saumaki, Murimurivalu, Heggarty

Dolly, Whitcombe, Leatigaga, Green, Reffell, Wigglesworth, Ford, Steward.

Henderson hasn't really had a chance yet but looked good when he played last season and the combination of him and Chessum should give us a strong lineout presence. Resting both Liebenburg and Martin is probably the best option long term as they have played a lot of minutes so far. I'd make Wells captain for the day as he's Tigers to the bone, with the experience of Montoya and Burns there with him he'll make the right calls. The bench gives us options, Chessum or van Staden can cover 8 with Reffell to come in or Wells to go to the backrow. Steward can slot in at wing, centre or fullback just as Murimurivalu can.

Sale the game after is going to be a brutal one so if we can refresh a few bodies all the better. Worcester will be tough but they are the weakest team in the league.
Old Hob
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by Old Hob »

Interesting no-one seems to be picking Martin :smt017
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OakhamTiger32
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by OakhamTiger32 »

Old Hob wrote: Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:48 pm Interesting no-one seems to be picking Martin :smt017
I think Martin seems to be getting the nod at 6 when he plays and if Wiese is available, Liebenberg takes the 6 shirt for me. I would like to see Martin given a few games at lock perhaps. Liebenberg won’t play every game so Martin would be next in line for me but our strongest back 3 has to be:

6. Liebenberg
7. Reffell/MvS
8. Wiese
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ABClub
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by ABClub »

Old Hob wrote: Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:48 pm Interesting no-one seems to be picking Martin :smt017
He's only just turned 20 and started 4 games in row whilst playing 80 minutes in the last 3 of them. Given we have depth now it's pretty reasonable to rotate in order to reduce injuries and keep players available across more of the season.
kk20gb30
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by kk20gb30 »

It would , I feel, be a massive mistake to take Worcester lightly. Every game is there to be won for both sides.
A lot of fans may think it is an easy game but I doubt that Steve Borthwick and his coaching team believe this.
No team gives you the points for free , everything has to be earned and fought for.
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TigerFeetSteve
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by TigerFeetSteve »

kk20gb30 wrote: Mon Oct 11, 2021 8:23 am It would , I feel, be a massive mistake to take Worcester lightly. Every game is there to be won for both sides.
A lot of fans may think it is an easy game but I doubt that Steve Borthwick and his coaching team believe this.
No team gives you the points for free , everything has to be earned and fought for.
Personally I don't think suggesting rotation is taking opposition lightly.

I for example am suggesting bringing in probably the best hooker in world rugby at the moment, along with a springbok openside.

I am suggesting swapping out our 8 who has played every min of the season and our 10 who likewise has played virtually every minute, as burnout is something to avoid.
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sam16111986
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by sam16111986 »

ABClub wrote: Mon Oct 11, 2021 12:03 am
Old Hob wrote: Sun Oct 10, 2021 10:48 pm Interesting no-one seems to be picking Martin :smt017
He's only just turned 20 and started 4 games in row whilst playing 80 minutes in the last 3 of them. Given we have depth now it's pretty reasonable to rotate in order to reduce injuries and keep players available across more of the season.
Agreed. Martin played very well Vs LI but will need a break at some point as he plays a very physical game. A week off now will hopefully mean less chances of injuries later. The best teams rotate their squads to keep players fresher for longer and Borthwick has shown he wants to do that here as well. He's only been limited by backrow options currently.
johnthegriff
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by johnthegriff »

Impossible to try and predict Borthwick's team selection, all we know is that it will be a team capable of winning. I will be going to Worcester hoping (with a certain amount of confidence) that we will win. I have just heard that the club has sold out on one coach to travel and are adding at least one other so indications are that we will be well supported.
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by TigerCam »

johnthegriff wrote: Mon Oct 11, 2021 1:20 pm Impossible to try and predict Borthwick's team selection, all we know is that it will be a team capable of winning. I will be going to Worcester hoping (with a certain amount of confidence) that we will win. I have just heard that the club has sold out on one coach to travel and are adding at least one other so indications are that we will be well supported.
Agreed. Early days getting the squad rotation settled with the re-introduction of Int players. With the AIs looming, SB will be wanting a confident settled squad to pick from until the new year.
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mol2
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by mol2 »

I think it is right that we do rotate our players.
Unlike in recent seasons we are fortunate to have genuine depth in many of the high attrition positions like the front and back rows.
Even bringing in Burns at fly half for Ford is swapping one England fly half for a former England fly half.
What side wouldn't want Montoya to be playing? Not too many better hookers in world rugby (if any) yet Dolly has been a revelation. Liebenberg or Martin? Which of them do you pick, both have been outstanding so far this season?

Rotate and keep fit and fresh for the key games later on in the season. Then make the difficult call as who to start and who to bench!

A fantastic dilemma for Borthwick!
GB72
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by GB72 »

This is the great situation at the moment in that we can swap people in and out of the starting 15 and we are not taking a massive drop in quality like we have previously. In fact there is genuine competition for places that means that well managed rotation is a must as opposed to an option.

The issue with having such a number of high quality players is that they all want time on the pitch and so we also need to play them if we want to keep them.
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by ay2oh »

Will be interesting when renewing contracts and hopefully we won’t lose players that we want to keep.
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by Crofty »

ay2oh wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:01 pm Will be interesting when renewing contracts and hopefully we won’t lose players that we want to keep.
And/or the next class out of the academy will have to step up to replace leavers from among this class. This sort of churn is honestly the only way I can see for clubs to stay at the top without resorting to Sarries style financial shenanigans...
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by Downsouth »

There are the same number of points for beating Worcester as there are against any other team, so pick the best team to win! Its a bit of a surprise with so many talking about resting Dolly, when Montoya has probably played more minutes over the last 2 months than anyone else. yes he is one of the best hookers in the world but for me start him from the bench. Dolly will get plenty of rest when Clare and Youngs are back. Heyes for Cole makes sense as does Saumaki for Nadolo on lino. I hope Van Standen and Wiese feature. I think we have to trust SB and I am sure there will be some surprises!
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Re: Worcester (A) 16th October - 3pm

Post by ABClub »

Crofty wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 3:03 pm
ay2oh wrote: Tue Oct 12, 2021 2:01 pm Will be interesting when renewing contracts and hopefully we won’t lose players that we want to keep.
And/or the next class out of the academy will have to step up to replace leavers from among this class. This sort of churn is honestly the only way I can see for clubs to stay at the top without resorting to Sarries style financial shenanigans...
Matt Scott and Leatigaga are two of my concerns in that regard. Leatigaga has improved so much at Tigers and will be a target for many clubs now. Playing both sides and carrying like he does catches the eye. Scott signed on a relatively low contract after his Edinburgh deal fell through. He's found form and fitness here so again will have offers.

Ford is also a worry of course. If he's out the England frame long term then that's a lot of money gone in appearance fees, he may well look to France or even rugby league.

Interesting that Nadolo spoke about wanting to make the 2023 RWC with Fiji. Hopefully that means we get at least one more season out of the big man.
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