Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:51 pm
Think I’m right in saying Lozowski is on their injured list and the have been playing Tompkins slightly out of position recently. Daley could be another option
That's right Lozowski injured, Tompkins moved over to 13 to accommodate Hartley the young inside centre formerly of Wasps. He's a big lad with a lot of potential.
So, they’re in a bit of a jam, then?
OK, I’m getting my coat….
AViewFromLe2 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 02, 2024 7:44 pm
Saturday really does depend on who's fit - in some positions we really are at the point of "if you're fit, you play." The beauty of having a big squad with decent depth that we're just about coping with them all.
Forwards for me would be Cronin, Montoya, Cole, Chessum, Martin, Hanro, Reffell and Wiese - first time we get what i'd call our first choice pack onto the field. Backs are much trickier, I think Lenny plays, and maybe Watson or Bassett too. If Scott is fit i think i would start him over Kata, the lesson from the first game v Sarries was that Kata had a huge impact off the bench in the last 20. I think i like Scotty starting for his defensive expertise, with Kata off the bench for the impact.
I agree he will pick his best forwards without a doubt and also what’s the best of the fittest in the backs…I also expect little change from the 23 that achieved victory v Bath and possibly why he rotated so early to give players game time
however, McKellars comment that they had to drag him off with the game in the bag may mean it was more precautionary than anything else - hopefully anyway as we are thin in the centres
loretta wrote: ↑Thu Jan 04, 2024 10:28 am
Kata was strapped up by the physio on the pitch, but removed it all when sat in the dugout. Read into that what you will
Looked like he felt a twinge but was ok to stay on with strapping. Word came down from the stand to say due to the match situation it was ok to finish with 14 players so he came off and took strapping off to ice
Leicester Tigers have named the team for Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash against Saracens at Mattioli Woods Welford Road (kick-off: 3.00pm).
Round 11 sees Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar name his first unchanged starting side of the season, with Ben Youngs coming on to the bench after recovering from the injury that ruled him out of last Sunday’s victory over Bath Rugby.
Captain Julián Montoya plays his 50th game for Leicester with scrum-half Tom Whiteley reaching 20 appearances in Tigers colours.
Previewing the game, Leicester Tigers Head Coach Dan McKellar said: “Saturday’s another big challenge for us but it’s great to be home again in front of 20,000-plus of our supporters and families.”
“The group that started against Bath came out with the required physical intent and were excellent for 45 minutes, so we’ve rewarded that, but we know we’ll have to be good for the 80 this week.”
STARTING XV
15 Freddie Steward [79]
14 Harry Simmons [36]
13 Dan Kelly [70]
12 Solomone Kata [9]
11 Mike Brown [18]
10 Handré Pollard [22]
9 Tom Whiteley [19]
1 James Cronin [24]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [49] *
3 Joe Heyes [134]
4 George Martin [71]
5 Ollie Chessum [50]
6 Matt Rogerson [12]
7 Tommy Reffell [107]
8 Jasper Wiese [68]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Finn Theobold-Thomas [4]
17 Francois van Wyk [43]
18 Will Hurd [35]
19 Harry Wells [187]
20 Kyle Hatherell [10]
21 Olly Cracknell [31]
22 Ben Youngs [308]
23 Jamie Shillcock [15]
1 Sam Crean
2 Kapeli Pifeleti
3 Christian Judge
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Juan Martin Gonzalez
8 Ben Earl
9 Gareth Simpson
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Lucio Cinti
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Tom Parton
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Logovi’i Mulipola
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Andy Christie
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Alex Lewington
ROTIMI SEGUN SAYS THERE IS GREAT CALMNESS AMONGST THE SQUAD AS SARACENS MEN HEAD IN TO A POTENTIALLY SEASON-DEFINING MONTH.
The Men in Black head to Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday to face Leicester Tigers in a crucial Gallagher Premiership match, before the return of Investec Champions Cup action for the next fortnight.
Sarries are buoyed by their bonus-point win over Newcastle last weekend, and they welcome back a wealth of experience for the trip to Leicester with just three points separating the top six teams in the league table.
The coaches have freshened up the starting line-up after the Falcons win, and head to the Midlands knowing that a victory would put them in a strong position ahead of the European break.
Sam Crean makes his first start of the league season at loosehead, and he has Kapeli Pifeleti and Christian Judge for company in the front-row.
Maro Itoje and Hugh Tizard combine in a heavyweight second-row, with an athletic back-row of Theo McFarland, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Ben Earl.
Gareth Simpson gets the nod in the nine shirt after impressing recently off the bench, and captain Owen Farrell returns at fly-half.
Nick Tompkins is back in the midfield with Elliot Daly next to him, and a pacy back-three of Lucio Cinti, Segun and Tom Parton will look to capitalise on any chances that come their way.
On the bench Logovi’i Mulipola will take on his former side, and Nick Isiekwe can add yet more dynamism when called upon.
Segun, who marked his return with a Player of the Match display against Newcastle says the squad know the significance of the next few weeks.
“There is a good calmness around the group, we’re just taking it game by game. The league is unbelievably tough this year but we’re looking forward to each challenge coming up.
“It was a long 12 weeks out but was so nice to get back out there. We bounced back against Newcastle which is exactly what we asked for.”
Saracens Men team to play Leicester Tigers:
1 Sam Crean
2 Kapeli Pifeleti
3 Christian Judge
4 Maro Itoje
5 Hugh Tizard
6 Theo McFarland
7 Juan Martin Gonzalez
8 Ben Earl
9 Gareth Simpson
10 Owen Farrell (c)
11 Lucio Cinti
12 Nick Tompkins
13 Elliot Daly
14 Rotimi Segun
15 Tom Parton
Replacements:
16 Theo Dan
17 Logovi’i Mulipola
18 Ollie Hoskins
19 Nick Isiekwe
20 Andy Christie
21 Ivan van Zyl
22 Manu Vunipola
23 Alex Lewington
