3rd January 2021 v Bath

[TigerFeetSteve]

Fingers crossed the majority of the squad tests negative and is feeling better.

Bath have missed 2 games in a row but the most recent was LI's calling off, that means they'll have been training all together for a the last week

All our internationals (covid providing) are now fully available with no more rest weeks required.

Team wise without knowing who has been isolating and who has been training together makes predicting a team very tricky.

We need to be making Welford Road a fortress again, so let's hope we get another big performance like we had after the last outbreak.

[kk20gb30]

Our first priority is to get a team on the field.Hopefully this will be the case , although this match for me - with the respective sides at full strength - was always going to be a 'fifty.fifty pick 'em ' .

A repeat of the Twickenham 'Big Game' (7/4/2018) which saw Leicester win 34-19 would be very handy indeed.Seems an age ago....

[sam16111986]

Agreed fingers crossed everyone is back and free from Covid. Should be the strongest team we can name for the next two weeks. All the England players have had their mandated two weeks of rest. Bath have had an awkward start to the season, the cohesion isn't quite there. They will be boosted by the return of some of their England players but at WR we should be looking to take them to task.

Go big up front and put pressure on their scrum and lineout. Bath are good in both areas so if we can disrupt it will effect their momentum. Got to dominate the midfield and stop Bath being able to utilise their back three. Should be a very physical encounter.

A win against Bath should give us some momentum to really take it to Saints the week after who don't look at their best. Two games we need to get points from.

[Scott1]

We look a lot better with a 7 on the pitch,hope Borths plays one and doesn’t revert to just 3 lumps in the BR.

[mol2]

At least we are hoping he plays a 7. It wasn't that long ago we were simply hoping that Tigers would play a specialist back row players rather than a selection of utility second/back rows.

For me we are making progress - playing a 7 would be a refinement!

[JP14]

Covid permitting I would retain the lock pairing of Henderson and Lavanini, might have Porter in there somewhere too.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Covid permitting I would retain the lock pairing of Henderson and Lavanini, might have Porter in there somewhere too.

Me I'd prefer to see Porter utilised in the backs rather than at lock

[OakhamTiger32]

Won’t be much training going on but that didn’t seem to hinder us against Glos in round 1. That said they were pretty woeful. Clearly the strongest side possible will be the plan so hopefully there aren’t too many COVID restrictions. All being well I’d go for:

1 Genge
2 Youngs
3 Cole
4 Lavanini
5 Henderson
6 Liebenberg
7 Reffell
8 Wiese
9 Youngs
10 Ford
11 Nadolo
12 Porter
13 Moroni
14 Murimurivalu
15 Steward

16 Clare
17 Gigena
18 De Bruin
19 Wells
20 Brink
21 Taufua
22 White
23 Henry

Clearly all dependent on COVID testing but that’s what I’d go for for what it’s worth.

Mamu, Green, Wallace, Potter and Scott would all be very close seconds in their respective positions for me if any of the 23 aren’t available.

Leatigaga, Taute, Bonilla, Van Wyk, Simmons should also hopefully add some cover depending on who’s tested positive.

Should be able to win this one. Certainly won’t be easy but let’s hope we can continue our good European form and make it 16 points (or even 17) from the last 4 matches in all competitions.

Bath lost 23-19 at home to Scarlets and then had to call off next match so had 2 losses in the same European period. It was a pretty strong team that lost to Scarlets too.

I’m hoping for a good showing from the lads and a good Tigers win

[sam16111986]

I'd have Scott starting if available. I'm a fan of Porter but Scott seems to be the rock in the midfield and we need someone in their to marshall the backs and take some of the responsibility off of Ford's shoulders.

I'd also start Wells at lock because he's horrible and aggressive and if you are going to war up front which we will be he's the kind of player you'd want. Henderson I'd have off the bench for his carrying impact. We should have a lot of impact off the bench. I think Borthwick will include Green in there somewhere though.

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55467346

I notice this article states that Irish have reopened their training ground but says nothing about our training ground.

[OakhamTiger32]

I'd also start Wells at lock because he's horrible and aggressive and if you are going to war up front which we will be he's the kind of player you'd want. Henderson I'd have off the bench for his carrying impact.

Thinking about it this is a very good point and I agree. Think Wells will get the nod alongside Lavanini

[Tiglon]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55467346

I notice this article states that Irish have reopened their training ground but says nothing about our training ground.

It says Irish have re-opened for "further testing", so I'm not sure they're back in training just yet.

Fingers crossed the game on Sunday can go ahead, I'm sure we will hear something in the next couple of days.

[TigerFeetSteve]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/55467346

I notice this article states that Irish have reopened their training ground but says nothing about our training ground.

It says Irish have re-opened for "further testing", so I'm not sure they're back in training just yet.

Fingers crossed the game on Sunday can go ahead, I'm sure we will hear something in the next couple of days.

So it does I read it as "after" instead of "for"

[kk20gb30]

Should the match go ahead the forward battle is going to go a long way to deciding the outcome.Bath for whatever the reasons,appear to have lost the momentum they possessed following last seasons restart and have looked far from cohesive.Still though , I believe , we need to be close on full strength and play a controlled and effective game to gain the advantage.The fixture is full of potential individual match ups also and should be a great watch , even if unspectacular.
A massive physical battle to ensue , I believe.

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Having seen them play the Scarlets in Europe they missed Priestland badly, but seemed obsessed with running into people, the Scarlets did them when moving the ball & playing a proper 7.