London Irish vs Tigers

[WhitecapTiger]

I don't have a problem with Balmain getting on the bench - so long as he gets some game time.
However Castro is still not sharp & Cole didn't get any game time last week.

Didn't Cole start away to Treviso? (Last week), he didn't get any time the week before at home, following his return from International duty.

I agree this is a match in which Balmain should get some time on the pitch, however Cole should rightly start, if fit.

[mol2]

Missed a week!

[Tigerbeat]

Cole to start game with Balmain on bench would be my guess

[TigerLad]

I'd go for a team of

15.Tait
14.Morris
13.Manu
12.Allen
11.Thompstone
10.Ford
9.Youngs
1.Fluffy
2.Youngs
3.Cole
4.Deacon
5.Parling
6.Mafi? (Probably wont be fit so B.Deacon/Slater
7.Salvi
8.Crane (I dont see Slater as an 8)

16.Chuter
17.Ayerza
18.Castro (I dont understand why everyone wants Balmain on the bench, I really like the guy but Castro only played 20 mins last week so why would he be tired. Also he looked decent last game.)
19.Kitchener
20.Slater/B.Deacon
21.Young (Is he fit?0
22.Flood
23.Murphy

I'm not sure whether this is worrying or a positive but out of the starting 15 only Cole, Crane, Deacon x2, Youngs x2, have been at the club for more than 5 years (not sure about Manu).

[WhitecapTiger]

18.Castro (I dont understand why everyone wants Balmain on the bench, I really like the guy but Castro only played 20 mins last week so why would he be tired. Also he looked decent last game.)

Castro is back in Argentina on compassionate grounds

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/T ... story.html

From the article above:

Two more high-profile players are also likely to miss the trip to the league's second-bottom side.

"Dan Bowden is still not right and Martin Castrogiovanni is back in Argentina on compassionate leave," said Cockerill.

"One of his relatives is seriously ill. I have given him time to go home and deal with that.

"Some things are more important than rugby and he needed to go home so I have let him. We have plenty of cover there."

[kpj tiger]

Teams up, im surprised to see no Tait but other than that its what i expected
Leicester Tigers (v London Irish, away, Saturday 3pm)
15 Geordan Murphy
14 Niall Morris
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (c)
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Brett Deacon
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Ed Slater
20 Geoff Parling
21 Sam Harrison
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith

[tigerburnie]

Surprised that Geordie is not the captain for the day

[kingol22]

Slightly surprised that Murphy is in the team and not captain. Hope Tait is just being rested and has not picked up another injury.

[Rykard]

Slightly surprised that Murphy is in the team and not captain. Hope Tait is just being rested and has not picked up another injury.

+1 - but he has seen a bit of action over the last few weeks, due for a rest?

[Tom Tom]

So much for Crofty going to be on the team sheet.

[tigerburnie]

So much for Crofty going to be on the team sheet.

I think he is due back for the Glaws game is he not?

[WhitecapTiger]

So much for Crofty going to be on the team sheet.

I think he is due back for the Glaws game is he not?

He may be available for selection for the Glaws match on 29th, never any mention, as far as I'm aware, of him being on the team sheet for this fixture.

[physiodan]

First win goes to Tigers! Number of Irish born players in today's team! 2.1 in tigers favour!

[physiodan]

Slightly surprised that Murphy is in the team and not captain. Hope Tait is just being rested and has not picked up another injury.

+1 - but he has seen a bit of action over the last few weeks, due for a rest?

Perhaps this is due to the injury predictor we have in place and that Tait needs a week off. Can only imagine he is heavily monitored for this!

[PM76]

Pleased with the side and it is definitely strong enough to get 4 points but Irish beat Saints and pushed Quins very close at the Madjeski so it won't be easy. With Saints playing Quins and Sarries away at Bath a win will keep up the pressure and help build momentum before the HC. Good to see Flood back, the pack and forward replacements are very strong and Tigers should have the edge but Irish have some good attacking talent in the backs.

Hope Tait is rested and not injured.