Tigers v La Rochelle (A) - Champions Cup - Sunday 14th January 2024 - KO - 3-15pm

[Bristol Tiger]

The good news is that we have probably qualified anyway. Only result that would knock us out is a win for Sale, and two bonus points for La Rochelle.

Unfortunately, Stormers now have a better points difference than us, so even a bonus point win against Leinster may not get us in the top two …

[Tigerbeat]

O'Gara has called it...the physicallity of LA Rochelle is going to take some stopping...a ruthless performance from.them which not many sides would live with....players back from injuries as well....will take some effort for Sale to win if they maintain that same level of physicality.....good value for their win.

[ay2oh]

Don’t want to over-react but our back play is probably the worst in the premiership despite us having talented players so got to be the game plan and coaching.

[Darc Tiger]

Ultimately, it's not a surprising result. For first 45 minutes, you kinda have to take your hat off the power game of the opposition, but the way we went to pieces in that 2nd half is a concern.

Ultimately, questions have to be asked of our attack again. Unlike the opposition, we could send waves and waves of runners at the defence and not get much joy. We have to offer more. Other teams in our league can do it. We're are risk of being seriously left behind.

Probably too late this season, but things will need to change over the off-season.

[Tigers86asw]

Don’t want to over-react but our back play is probably the worst in the premiership despite us having talented players so got to be the game plan and coaching.

Agreed. The coaching of our multi phase attack is so poor. We are the most inaccurate team in the prem, certainly apart from Newcastle, and we have international players throughout.

Dare I say it but the contrast with Saints is alarming.

[anz3001]

Initially struggled with their power, and the ref but were in it. They go down to 13, we overplay and the wheels literally fall off.

Yes, we’re still poor in attack, have been for(ever) a while, so nothing new there. Against the best in Europe (they are back to back winners let’s not forget that) our unsettled side have been exposed. Ce la vie…

[markharbtiger]

Dare I say it but the contrast with Saints is alarming.

This makes a poor situation worse...

[sapajo]

Don’t want to over-react but our back play is probably the worst in the premiership despite us having talented players so got to be the game plan and coaching.

Agreed. The coaching of our multi phase attack is so poor. We are the most inaccurate team in the prem, certainly apart from Newcastle, and we have international players throughout.

Dare I say it but the contrast with Saints is alarming.

Yep but as long as we have the Tigers DNA a strong set of forwards and a great set piece who needs an attack

[PJM]

Who are these youngsters you speak of? Cole, Wiese, Pollard, Brown, Youngs, Bassett, Montoya. Hardly an under strength team put out today.

I don't mind losing but to make so many unforced errors is so disappointing! Without a doubt we were out played and out muscled. Our attack is woeful once the heavyweights get stopped in their tracks.

After watching the Saints (spit) game with the offloads, running backs and alternative points of attack, kick throughs, chip overs etc as well as a pack that played their part.

Our backs hardly ever get the ball and when they do they cant string more than 3 passes together without dropping it or dying with it. We need to find an alternative game plan because the current one ain't working.

[sapajo]

We need a serious backs coach the likes of Dickens and Smith are simply not upto it if we wish to actually win anything

[Ian Cant]

We were awful and the reality of the matter is we are miles behind the top European sides as well as behind Saints, Exeter and Quins (maybe Sale too).
Sadly with the Six Nations coming up it means a lot of players will be away so no time to gel. I also thought it was odd bringing on Pollard ( who played far worse than Shilcock) and Weise when the game,to anyone with a realistic view, was over.
There’s no quick fix but DM needs a couple of decent coaches before the summer.
Sorry but there’s no point thinking we are good enough to compete in Europe: we aren’t.
Bristol, Exeter,and today just not good enough if the club aspire to be challenging for honours.
Use today’s defeat to motivate us to go full bore in The Premiership.
We also need some injuries to clear up so we can have a more settled squad.
And boy, don’t we miss Hanro and Tommy when they aren’t fit.

[Darc Tiger]

Has there been any word on the status of our attack coach? I presume it's something personal. We're making do with Smithy, and there not much we can do about it, but you have to think it's not a winning formula.

[sapajo]

On a positive note Whiteley looks a lot better than Youngs.

That's not difficult

[sapajo]

This is going to make no difference to the score but did anyone else notice that the Yellow Card clock was turned on before Skelton had even started to leave the field and, again, that it continued later when the game clock was off?
I've only seen this once before - against a French side!

Yep it was on for 7 seconds

[Samhorace]

Yes didn't expect to win the game, however it's the performance, passion and pride you look to. It wasn't there.