Tigers Cup Final Team Announced!

[ashtiger]

Here it is....

Leicester Tigers (v Leinster, Heineken Cup Final, Murrayfield, Saturday 5pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (captain)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Ayoola Erinle
12 Dan Hipkiss
11 Alesana Tuilagi
10 Sam Vesty
9 Julien Dupuy
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Tom Croft
5 Ben Kay
6 Craig Newby
7 Ben Woods
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Benjamin Kayser
17 Julian White
18 Louis Deacon
19 Lewis Moody
20 Harry Ellis
21 Matt Smith
22 Johne Murphy

[ashbash]

Great selection, just look at that bench as well

Quietly confident

[Tweentown]

Minimal changes as Cockerill said.

No issues with the selection - Cockers and co are in a better position than me to determine whether players are fit, tired or whatever and I put my trust in his selection. And we have a high impact bench.

The tension continues to build - Go Tigers

[nottslad]

nothing between the teams but the tigers bench may just shade it

[westy154]

It's a potential wrecking ball of a bench. Faith kept with essentially the championship side.

Alesana could play a big factor. He's going to be fresh and chomping!

[bluntiger]

To be honest, I looked for two names - Tuilagi and Castrogeovanni - and was delighted to see both on the teamsheet. If we had Mauger fit, it would have been perfect as Mauger/Hipkiss offers much more than Hipkiss/Erinle but that was not to be.

Bench give us real options in the scrum and in the loose, especially with Croft at lock and Deacon and moody on the bench.

I just hope it doesn't prove one game too far.

[velvitjester]

nothing between the teams but the tigers bench may just shade it

Apart from a backline and backrow

[Daveyboy]

Alesana "The Caged Tiger" Tuilagi - unleash the beast!

Great team.

[bluntiger]

nothing between the teams but the tigers bench may just shade it

Apart from a backline and backrow

You're right Leinsterman, we do have a much stronger backline and backrow.

[Longshanks]

Only one difference from the team Smalldell proposed yesterday morning (Chuter to start, Kayser on the Bench).

Again, I see all the replacements all making a big impact when, rather than if they are called forward.

[velvitjester]

Cian Healy has a big day ahead.
First 60 with Castro and then probably White for the last 20,it doesnt come much harder.
Hes only 21,if he does well he will probably displace Horan for the Ireland team.

[tigermad]

It's a potential wrecking ball of a bench. Faith kept with essentially the championship side.

Alesana could play a big factor. He's going to be fresh and chomping!

Ditto westy. That is the mother of all line ups and a great bench and more than capable of returning to Leicester with the Heineken Cup. Alex the big X factor and great to see Castro back in the front row. Just do you your best.

LEICESTER TIGERS - GUINNESS PREMIERSHIP CHAMPIONS 2009

[Lansdowne RFC]

Good team lads, especially the bench. Just think Leinster shade the first XV's, but you guys definitely have more firepower on the bench.

From a Leinsterman just about to depart, I wish ye all the best, and look forward to meeting a few Tigers fans this weekend. Have a safe journey up!

Oh, and looking at Leinster and Leicetser, how vital is that 10 position. Leinster's back up is Isa Nacewa, and yours is Geordan Murphy. No pressure then Johnny and Sam!

[MurphysLaw]

Still no sign of Hougaard then. Got to feel some sympathy for him, Flood and Mauger, all missing out on the big day.
Apart from that, it is probably our best team.

I hope the team does itself justice, and puts in a good performance. If it does that, and we don't run out of steam, then the result will look after itself.

[bluntiger]

Good team lads, especially the bench. Just think Leinster shade the first XV's, but you guys definitely have more firepower on the bench.

The other interesting thing is the lead up to the game.

Our team have played three huge games in the last three weeks (Bath, Cardiff and London Irish) all knock-out rugby too.

Your guys have had much of the time to rest and will definitely be fresher and probably a little better prepared but ours will be match-hardened (or simply knackered!).

Also the pressure. We have won something and are probably underdogs. You guy have won nothing yet so the pressure will be on you me thinks. That can be good or bad.