Tigers v Saracens (H) - Sunday 19th February 2023 - KO 3-00pm

[Postiger2]

Going to be like lads vs dads on Sunday

[Tykger]

Going to be like lads vs dads on Sunday

Shame Wiggy isn't still playing, we really could have broken some records.

[mol2]

I appreciate Atkinson is covering 10 as well as 15 but there is no way it can be better to have Brown starting. He was a capable player but was the on the slide at the end of his Quins days and didn’t merit a regular berth at Newcastle let alone a new contract.

I fear this is the impact of having an “experienced” player as coach. Unable to admit that experience is only useful if you have the physical ability. It’s hard to acknowledge the decline of your contemporaries be cause it means reflecting on your own perhaps.

[MCC1964]

I appreciate Atkinson is covering 10 as well as 15 but there is no way it can be better to have Brown starting. He was a capable player but was the on the slide at the end of his Quins days and didn’t merit a regular berth at Newcastle let alone a new contract.

I fear this is the impact of having an “experienced” player as coach. Unable to admit that experience is only useful if you have the physical ability. It’s hard to acknowledge the decline of your contemporaries be cause it means reflecting on your own perhaps.

Ah well. It’s only a few months and it’ll all be over and time for yet another rebuild.

[CrumblingTerrace]

I'd pick Atkinson in my XV, but you could argue that Brown is a safer option if you're expecting a LOT of kicking (which we all should).

[TigerFeetSteve]

As others noted Liebenberg not captain may well be down to him having a holiday in SA so they decided not to load him up with issues etc

[Big Dai]

Is the team running out to the strains of Bud Flanigan?

Lance corporal WW yelling "Don't Panic!"

.......and a wee Scottish voice in my ear goes "We're dooooomed!"

[Goshengareth]

That is the worst backline we’ve fielded in quite some time.

[Dokie]

Oldest back line in the history of rugby union. Has April Fools Day come early?

How is Brown starting ahead of Atkinson?! I fear our back line is going to be ripped to shreds...

He's not England's most capped 15 for nothing, and if he's still fit, then I think he's a very solid bet.

Ultimately if it wasn't for the disastrous management by Quins, he'd still probably be a regular in and around their matchday squads.

Behave yourself Charlie. He’d need an oxygen tent after 10 mins trying to keep up with their all court attack

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

That is the worst backline we’ve fielded in quite some time.

More worryingly its possibly by choice rather than necessity.

[Goshengareth]

That would be very worrying. We need a new coach and soon. With evidenced prowess to date, England are welcome to WW! I’d take Nick Evans every day of the week.

[Darc Tiger]

I know we talk about GM playing in the 2nd row, but I can't really remember him playing there since breaking through. Interested to see how he goes.

Definitely worried about the backline. Sarries are a tough ask at the best of times.

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I know we talk about GM playing in the 2nd row, but I can't really remember him playing there since breaking through. Interested to see how he goes.

Definitely worried about the backline. Sarries are a tough ask at the best of times.

Was confused then, thought you were talking about Geordan Murphy!!

That backline is awful. Brown and Gopperth should be bench at best.

[Tiglon]

Brown was a top player. Was.

Did not play well at Falcons and couldn't find anyone willing to give him a contract until we came along 6 months after he left them.

I sincerely hope he proves me wrong, but it just looks like a poor decision to me, unless Atkinson is carrying a knock.

Gopperth is well past it too and has usually looked like a liability for us. There has to be a better option at 12 for us.

Looks like WW is doing his version of playing it safe and selecting the oldies who he knows and trusts. If we get a hammering, he's not going to come out of this looking good. At least 1-10 is strong, maybe we can make it a tight game and keep the geriatrics out of it.

[Goshengareth]

Imagine having put 13 million quid in to Tigers earlier in the week, and then turning up to watch Gopperth, Brown and Ashton. You’d feel pig sick.

20+ points defeat.