Leicestertinytiger wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:25 pm
Looking at the two 23s, really think we should be winning this one. We’ve a very good backline and should get parity in the pack.
Agreed arguably 5 of our strongest starting back line and Mike Brown would get in most sides.
Imo we have a slightly stronger bench too
Yeah we have quite a lot of established premiership experience on the bench too.
Whilst we’ve no traditional 7 starting FTT should provide a breakdown threat. He’s actually really good over the ball at the breakdown. Him and Vanes both are.
McKellar will be dying for some silverware first season in.
15 Mike Brown [22]
14 Josh Bassett [12]
13 Matt Scott [75]
12 Dan Kelly [75]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [14]
10 Handré Pollard [26]
9 Tom Whiteley [23]
1 Francois van Wyk [47]
2 Finn Theobald-Thomas [8]
3 Joe Heyes [137]
4 Harry Wells [191]
5 Sam Carter [14]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [100]
7 Matt Rogerson [16]
8 Kyle Hatherell [15]
REPLACEMENTS
16 Archie Vanes [12]
17 James Whitcombe [47]
18 Dan Richardson [16]
19 Olly Cracknell [35]
20 Emeka Ilione [19]
21 Sam Edwards [12]
22 Jamie Shillcock [20]
23 Phil Cokanasiga [12]
"Rugby isn't a contact sport,ballroom dancing is a contact sport. Rugby is a collision sport" Heyneke Meyer
Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:35 pm
Very good point re both our hookers. Interesting no Clare, being kept back for the premiership maybe.
Yeah wonder where that leaves Dolly for next season.
Montoya and Clare obviously in the starting 23. Vanes and FTT too good not to get minutes in the premiership.
Be a shame to see him leave but he’s good enough to be in plenty of other premiership 23s starting or on the bench.
Interesting debate. Certainly don’t want to lose either of the 2 youngsters both have potential to be multi cap internationals. Clare 33 this year Dolly 25 but been very unlucky with injuries
Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:35 pm
Very good point re both our hookers. Interesting no Clare, being kept back for the premiership maybe.
Yeah wonder where that leaves Dolly for next season.
Montoya and Clare obviously in the starting 23. Vanes and FTT too good not to get minutes in the premiership.
Be a shame to see him leave but he’s good enough to be in plenty of other premiership 23s starting or on the bench.
Interesting debate. Certainly don’t want to lose either of the 2 youngsters both have potential to be multi cap internationals. Clare 33 this year Dolly 25 but been very unlucky with injuries
Yep and both have been great for the club - but probably only room for one in the squad next season.
For anyone put off coming here to Gloucester by the high Hotel prices (due to Cheltenham races) Premier inn, Longford (15 min walk from Kingsholm) are offering rooms at £141 for Friday night. Which is a big reduction from a couple of weeks ago.
Same price for Prem inn Witcombe 4 miles away last bus departs 12.30
There are still about 700 tickets available mostly in Block A which was reserved for Tigers fans.
Standing is sold out.
Wayne Richardson Fan Club wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 1:00 pm
When it comes to Hookers you have to take into account our first choice one presumably won't be available much (if at all) until after the AIs.
Good point. I see Los Pumas have been holding a training camp this week for their English based players
I’ll be there and it will be interesting to see how both teams react. It’s a weird one as you’d normally go into a game like this off the back of a run of games, but it almost has an opening game of the season feel about it. It’s been raining all night here in Gloucester and more rain tomorrow so ball could be like a bar of soap.
westwinds31 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:41 pm
I’ll be there and it will be interesting to see how both teams react. It’s a weird one as you’d normally go into a game like this off the back of a run of games, but it almost has an opening game of the season feel about it. It’s been raining all night here in Gloucester and more rain tomorrow so ball could be like a bar of soap.
Yeah it's the same for both sides, but makes it very hard to predict the result...
Really hope Tigers can pull it off!
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
Really hoping for big games from Kelly and OHC. For me when both are fit and on form they should be in the international squad. Perfect game for them to show what they’ve got.
Comparing the two backlines I think there’s a big gulf in quality for me. If we can get some ball we should be scoring tries.
I looked the the Shedweb Forum this morning and saw a post from glis suppirter travelling for the match this evening and saying he had seen Leo Cullen and his staff on the flight to Bristol. Nothing strange in that, other than my immediate thought "why would Cullen et al fly to Bristol when the Ireland match will be at Twickenham". My immediate thought being he is travelling in connection with the his role as coach of the Ireland team ...... and then I realised.....he is travelling in connection with his role withe the Ireland team aka Leinster. And yes I've also just realised Eng have played Ire.
