Premiership Rugby Cup - Tigers vs Sharks

[JP14]

While I wasn’t thinking Doomsday Thoughts when we lost on Saturday, I’m certainly expecting a reaction and perhpas the coaches will look to field more of a first team but I’m expecting more or less the same team.

Let’s hope at least the game will be not as dire as the Premiership incarnation earlier this season.

1. Fe’ao
2. Kerr
3. Heyes
4. Spencer
5. Kitchener
6. Reffell
7. Evans
8. Tuilagi
9. Harrison
10. Ford (We’re forced to unfortunately)
11. Olowofela
12. Hardwick
13. Owen
14. Holmes
15. Worth
16. Mahoney
17. Gigena
18. Cortes
19. Lewis
20. Mapapalangi
21. White
22. Eastmond
23. Thompstone

[JP14]

Again, where is Apsland-Robinson?

[Leicestertinytiger]

Think the backline should be this:

9. Harrison 10. Hardwick 11. Thompstone 12. Worth 13. Owen 14. Veainu 15. Holmes

21. White 22. Eastmond 23. Olowfela

[voice of the crumbie]

,
Think the backline should be this:

9. Harrison 10. Hardwick 11. Thompstone 12. Worth 13. Owen 14. Veainu 15. Holmes

21. White 22. Eastmond 23. Olowfela

Has Veainu recovered from his ankle injury? If not I'd have the 9,10,11 you suggest plus Owen at 12, Worth 13, Olowofela 14 and Holmes 15.

[Leicestertinytiger]

,
Think the backline should be this:

9. Harrison 10. Hardwick 11. Thompstone 12. Worth 13. Owen 14. Veainu 15. Holmes

21. White 22. Eastmond 23. Olowfela

Has Veainu recovered from his ankle injury? If not I'd have the 9,10,11 you suggest plus Owen at 12, Worth 13, Olowofela 14 and Holmes 15.

I thought he was only out for a few weeks.

Would love to see Worth given more chances at centre. Always impressed me at 12 or 13 with his handling.

[Spicer]

1. Gigena 2. Kerr 3. Heyes 4.Kitchener 5. Spencer 6. Reffell 7.Evans 8. Tuilagi 9. Harrison 10. Hardwick 11. Thompstone 12. Worth 13. Owen 14. Olowofela 15. Holmes
16. TPN (Is Mahony injured?) 17. Fe’ao 18. Cortes 19. Lewis 20. Smith 21. White. 22. Ford 23. Forsyth

[JP14]

Deacon will field a “more experienced side“...

So I’ve changed my mind to:

1 Fe’ao
2 Kerr
3 Heyes
4 Spencer
5 Kitchener
6 Williams
7 Evans
8 Tuilagi
9 Harrison
10 Hardwick
11 Olowefela
12 Worth
13 Owen
14 Thompstone
15 Holmes

16 Youngs
17 Bateman
18 Cole
19 Lewis
20 Reffell
21 White
22 Ford
23 Eastmond

[TigerCam]

IMO no way should a more experienced side be put out. This is about the youngsters getting a chance to show their ability under pressure game after game. Performance, even going backwards, is what matters. If other sides wish to put out a nigh-top side so be it.

[Ian Cant]

I wouldn’t risk Williams as he really is our only enforcer with Denton away with Scotland( still going through concussion protocols).
Maybe Harrison and Hardwick need to play to get more used to each other but then let the youngsters show they can make amends for last week. Sadly I don’t see Joe Ford or Matt Smith having the necessary qualities to play v Sarries or Gloucester as their line speed v Worcester was too slow and their running lines non existent. Dears has to show no loyalty if he is to be a very good coach.
Our problem v Gloucester, as well as non threatening backs is the back row where we have to hope O’Connor is fit and play Thomson at 8 as he played there a bit for Wasps. Evans will certainly need another game and all of last week’s backs need live tackling practice.
I have put my anger and frustration to bed so now feel ready to get down to Welford Road to roar the chosen team on.

[strawclearer]

I think Fitzgerald might get the nod - he really needs game time - with Williams being saved.

[Leicestertinytiger]

I would be tempted to put out a very strong pack with maybe only two academy players starting in the 8.

Fe’ao, Kerr, Heyes, Wells, Kitchener, Fitzgerald, Evans and Mapapalangi.

Wouldn’t mind seeing Fitz at 6 as I always thought that was his best position. Maybe we’ll see Genge off the bench. Definitely have Lewis and Reffell off the bench too as they are both great young players.

[ourla]

Leicester Tigers (v Sale Sharks, Welford Road, Friday 7.45pm)

15 George Worth
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Gareth Owen
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Jordan Olowofela
10 Tom Hardwick
9 Ben White

1 Greg Bateman
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Gaston Cortes
4 Harry Wells
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Will Evans
8 Guy Thompson

Replacements
16 Jake Kerr
17 Facundo Gigena
18 Joe Heyes
19 Mike Fitzgerald
20 Tommy Reffell
21 Sam Harrison
22 Joe Ford
23 Andrew Forsyth

[ourla]

Sharks: 15.Sam James; 14.Denny Solomona, 13.James O’Connor, 12.Johnny Leota, 11.Arron Reed; 10.Rob Du Preez, 9.Will Cliff;1.Ross Harrison, 2.Rob Webber, 3.WillGriff John, 4.Bryn Evans, 5.James Phillips, 6.Jono Ross (capt.), 7.Ben Curry, 8.Josh Beaumont.

Replacements: 16.Curtis Langdon, 17.Tom Bristow, 18.Joe Jones, 19.Matt Postlethwaite, 20.Cameron Neild, 21.Gus Warr, 22.Kieran Wilkinson, 23.Luke James

Looking ahead to the game, Sale Sharks’ Director of Rugby Steve Diamond said, “I think this development programme in this competition has been really good and Leicester have done it like we’ve done it.

“We’ve spoken to the Tigers’ management and they’re putting a strong side out and we are doing the same, so we want a competitive game and both teams want to win before the Gallagher Premiership starts again.”

[trendylfj]

Looks a good team to me - looking towards Glaws - lets hope for a clean bill of health afterwards

[Soggypitch]

Looks a good team to me - looking towards Glaws - lets hope for a clean bill of health afterwards

I agree but surprised no Spencer in the 23.