Ant Allen

[Big Dai]

Actually he is good enough for England - he's one of those very rare players who always perform at the same level whatever the class of opposition.

Oi! Wind your neck in! we don't want Lancaster nicking him!

[TigerLad]

Great to have him back. It never fails to astound me when people bracket him as a smaller Barrett. Yes, they are both superb in defence but Allen has something extra. We saw it multiple times today when he simply stepped around on rushing tacklers and exploited the space behind. Unfortunately for Allen I can't see him getting in the England team. Lancaster clearly likes the Farrell and Barrett combo and as such I can't see him making any changes any time soon. I personally don't agree with this but I can see why Lancaster doesn't want to take any risks in that area. I have a feeling that the layoffs could help a lot of our injured players, a lot of players come back in better physical condition than when they were injured and I think this was the case with Allen today.

[Big Dai]

Great to have him back. It never fails to astound me when people bracket him as a smaller Barrett. Yes, they are both superb in defence but Allen has something extra. We saw it multiple times today when he simply stepped around on rushing tacklers and exploited the space behind. Unfortunately for Allen I can't see him getting in the England team. Lancaster clearly likes the Farrell and Barrett combo and as such I can't see him making any changes any time soon. I personally don't agree with this but I can see why Lancaster doesn't want to take any risks in that area. I have a feeling that the layoffs could help a lot of our injured players, a lot of players come back in better physical condition than when they were injured and I think this was the case with Allen today.

I really hope you are right. It would be just our luck to get him back from injury only to have to give him up to England!

[Guinness&Nuts]

Allen is a top player and it just shows what Tigers have been missing.

DT - back three of Tait, Goneva and Benjamin when Manu is back will scare a lot of teams.

Goneva at 13 is really struggling at the moment. As the tigers are at home next week he gets the shirt, however I'll be biting my nails when Ulster attack the wide channels!

[Purebob]

Allen wouldn't shine in a SL team playing A Farrell / Sarries squeezeball IMO.

Best keep him here :)

[DickyP]

Now they are fit I'd like to see the backs:

15 Tait
14 Goneva
13 Smith
12 Allen
11 Benjamin
10 Flood
9 Youngs

Bench

21 Mele
22 Williams (covering FH, with Flood the centre cover)
23 Morris (covering wing and full back on the bench)

[WhitecapTiger]

Now they are fit I'd like to see the backs:

15 Tait
14 Goneva
13 Smith
12 Allen
11 Benjamin
10 Flood
9 Youngs

Bench

21 Mele
22 Williams (covering FH, with Flood the centre cover)
23 Morris (covering wing and full back on the bench)

Just think, if they all stay fit we may even have Manu back in time for the HEC 1/4s - 4/5/6 April, with due respect to Matt Smith, Manu in at 13 hopefully up and running is a step up again.

[Soggypitch]

I totally agree with that backs line up for next week Dicky P.

However Flood has to be fit enough to kick otherwise Cockers will have to pick Mele not YBY.

[smalldell]

If RC wants to play Flood at 10 against Ulster and he will, it will mean Mele starts.

As for Gonerva, he is what he is...brilliant or woeful..

When G's on the wing and he is woeful the ball tends to end up in touch. When he is in the centre it can end up anywhere....He will play 13 against Ulster...so we will have to see.

[DickyP]

If RC wants to play Flood at 10 against Ulster and he will, it will mean Mele starts. ..

All depends - there's nothing to say Toby won't be fit to kick by next week.

[PM76]

AA was absolutely magnificent today. I fear, for his sake that Lancaster and Farrell have decided he is not "international class", despite never giving him an opportunity, but this only means we get to see more of him Welford Road which I, for one, am delighted about.

[sapajo]

Thought Morris was dissapointing today spent the game kicking the ball away at the earliest opportunity. Seems just like Thompstone he is not the player he was last season. Hope he can rediscover some form and confidence.

[Tomvarndell]

As if Lancaster would pick him.....he's a clueless jobs worth..


Ant proved in half hour why we need a proper 12....second best twelve playing in England behind billy....a class act.

[Darc Tiger]

Billy isn't playing well at Gloucester at the moment. Though few are!

[Tomvarndell]

Nobody would play well at twelve in that :censored: side bud. Billy is class but is playing for a poor side.