Mark62 wrote: ↑Mon Nov 25, 2019 5:46 pm
From what I’ve read people have commented that both Lenny and White have moved the ball away quicker in the last couple of games. Maybe our new scrum half coach is having an impact.
I am still convinced that speed of ball does rely on the ball being presented properly and the next phase runners being in place quickly enough
I don't think White is or will be as good as Youngs but would be quite happy to be proved wrong.
Youngs is obviously a very good player.
I just don't like the plan that has tried to be evolved down the years.
Obviously a few sides have been trying to copy Sarries only to discover years later that it just isn't reality!
If Veainu is out and Taufua a doubt we are probably looking at that 23.
Spencer and Green is a close call but I think Green will get picked to run the line-out. Saints will probably have Lawes, Ribbans and Wood as jumpers to contest our ball. We will miss Liebenberg as a jumper in this game I fear.
Last edited by ABClub on Tue Nov 26, 2019 4:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
If Veainu is out and Taufua a doubt we are probably looking at that 23.
Spencer and Green is a close call but I think Green will get picked to run the line-out. Saints will probably have Lawes, Ribbans and Wood as jumpers to contest our ball. We will miss Liebenberg as a jumper in this game I fear.
Please see my earlier email, Polota-Nau is out for 4 weeks following an operation to his right elbow.
If Veainu is out and Taufua a doubt we are probably looking at that 23.
Spencer and Green is a close call but I think Green will get picked to run the line-out. Saints will probably have Lawes, Ribbans and Wood as jumpers to contest our ball. We will miss Liebenberg as a jumper in this game I fear.
Please see my earlier email, Polota-Nau is out for 4 weeks following an operation to his right elbow.
Sorry, LE18. I actually meant to put Kerr in on merit anyway as I did in earlier team selection on this thread. Just functioning on autopilot.
I initially had Green starting and on the bench when I typed that out. I managed to catch 50% of my ineptitude at least.
Mark62 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 5:17 pm
Re the line out, Sam Lewis got excellent reviews from Cardiff, would he be worth a punt
I can't see him starting at Franklin Gardens. They are flying high and have a settled back row .Saints will likely start with 6.Wood 7.Ludlam 8.Harrison. To counter that I'd prefer the physicality of Boladau or Coghlan on the bench. Obviously if Taufua is available he will take one of the 4 back row spots in the matchday squad.
Lewis did well against Cardiff. His pace does make him reminiscent of Crofty at blindside. I hope to see more of him as the season goes on. Hopefully he starts the back to back Calvisano fixtures.
Poor TV, he is getting one injury after another and for me personally, he is a huge loss. Against Gloucester, though not back to his best you could see the fear in Gloucesters ranks when he got the ball. His kicking and chasing was on a higher level than anything seen for ages at Tigers.
I was, therefore, really annoyed when TV was clearly lying injured at the end of the ground I was at and one of the Gloucester forwards unceremoniously pulled TV away from the ruck!
All the best TV and let’s hope this isn’t another long lay off.
As for Saturday: yes, a huge game, minimum requirement is a LBP, get a heavy defeat and with Exeter, Quins and Bristol to come Tigers will certainly be facing relegation.
On the matter of Borthwick: sorry Tigers, he should be here now not when it’s too late!
Ian Cant wrote: ↑Tue Nov 26, 2019 9:05 pm
Poor TV, he is getting one injury after another and for me personally, he is a huge loss. Against Gloucester, though not back to his best you could see the fear in Gloucesters ranks when he got the ball. His kicking and chasing was on a higher level than anything seen for ages at Tigers.
I was, therefore, really annoyed when TV was clearly lying injured at the end of the ground I was at and one of the Gloucester forwards unceremoniously pulled TV away from the ruck!
All the best TV and let’s hope this isn’t another long lay off.
As for Saturday: yes, a huge game, minimum requirement is a LBP, get a heavy defeat and with Exeter, Quins and Bristol to come Tigers will certainly be facing relegation.
On the matter of Borthwick: sorry Tigers, he should be here now not when it’s too late!
While I understand your comment re TV it was his poor technique that caused the injury I.e. tackling with his face.
Re Borthwick if he doesn’t want to start until after the 6 nations what are we supposed to do, tell him we don’t want him at all, he wouldn’t be short of offers
Based on the news that Veaniu and Taufau are probably going to be unavaliable, but Jonny May will be fit I amend my line up:
15. George Worth
14. Jonah Holmes
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Noel Reid
11. Jonny May
10. George Ford
9. Ben Youngs
1. Ellis Genge
2. Jake Kerr
3. Nephi Leitigaga
4. Calum Green
5. Tomas Lavanini
6. Guy Thompson
7. Tommy Reffell
8. Sione Kalamafoni
16. Tom Youngs
17. Facundo Gigena
18. Dan Cole
19. Will Spencer
20. Jack Coughlan
21. Ben White
22. Tom Hardwick
23. Jaco Taute