Connacht (H) - Sunday 19th December 2021 - KO 13:00

[Old Hob]

I would start Genge and have Whitcombe on the bench. But play on bringing Whitcombe on this time.

With Genge going same as Ford, play them as much as possible

They still have to be managed. 6 Nations still to negotiate and then the playoffs, I hope, in Europe and premiership.

[sam16111986]

Borthwick has talked about Connacht;

"I have known Andy Friend for a few years now," explained Borthwick as his Tigers prepare to welcome Connacht to Leicester for the second time in eight months. "He is a really experienced coach who has seen a lot and what he has built there, they put away Stade Francais pretty well.

"You see they have got a tough, hard-working forward pack and what you see with the Irish packs is the back five of the scrum are usually really athletic. They move well, carry well, jackal well.

"Then you have got a ten, Jack Carty, who manages his team around the pitch beautifully, Bundee Aki, who is back in the centre, has got real power and then they have signed well, (Mack) Hansen has played really well for them in the back three so you have got a team there that fights and also plays smart rugby, so it is going to a formidable challenge."

Talking up their back five of the scrum might see us go for more experience there to combat that, maybe van Staden to start and Reffell for impact.

[Downsouth]

I think we know its best to trust Steve but I would like to see Reffell with Van Staden and Wiese to come on. We will have to rest Ford at some point as he is rarely substituted. The biggest concern is if players are missing with Covid. I don't know if its a coincidence but I think Steward and Kelly share a house and we're both missing last week.

[trendylfj]

Much as I regret it, I will not be going on Sunday - value my Xmas with my family too much to take the risk. Was not going into the Crumbie lounge as I usually do before yesterday's announcement. Don't trust what many of the politicians say but I do trust the medics and scientists, particularly Professor Linda Bauld and Dr Chris Smith (naked scientist) and when they advised to be careful, that is exactly what I am going to do when I can watch it on the box.

[TigerMac3]

JACO TAUTE IS ALIVE!!!*







* seen in training pics

[TheChild]

I’m not going either.
I’ve officially transferred the ST to my husband.

[sam16111986]

I think we know its best to trust Steve but I would like to see Reffell with Van Staden and Wiese to come on. We will have to rest Ford at some point as he is rarely substituted. The biggest concern is if players are missing with Covid. I don't know if its a coincidence but I think Steward and Kelly share a house and we're both missing last week.

Ford has just had a couple of weeks off during the PRC period.

I think there was a requirement to give England internationals a game off within a certain time period post AIs hence why Benny was also not traveling to France. Covid is certainly a concern considering I think there's five in that house share.

[DeadlyDunc]

After putting the fear of god into Connacht last season surely Wiese has to start?

If he doesn’t it will give a huge lift to them as I bet they aren’t looking forward to facing him again

[OakhamTiger32]

Ref: Mathieu Raynal (France) Assis Ref 1: Thomas Charabas (France) Assis Ref 2: Jonathan Dufort (France) TMO: Philippe Bonhoure (France)

[Tigerbeat]

No Genge in the line up

STARTING XV
15 Bryce Hegarty [4]
14 Freddie Steward [42]
13 Matt Scott [32]
12 Dan Kelly [28]
11 Hosea Saumaki [4]
10 Freddie Burns [83]
9 Ben Youngs [270]
1 Nephi Leatigaga [51]
2 Nic Dolly [10]
3 Joe Heyes [82]
4 Harry Wells [135]
5 Eli Snyman [6]
6 George Martin [25]
7 Tommy Reffell [57]
8 Jasper Wiese [25]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Julián Montoya [11]
17 James Whitcombe [9]
18 Dan Cole [274]
19 Calum Green [70]
20 Ollie Chessum [18]
21 Marco van Staden [6]
22 Jack van Poortvliet [30]
23 Guy Porter [27]

Previewing Sunday’s fixture, Borthwick said: “I think it will be a formidable challenge, against a team who come to Leicester after a dominant display in the opening round.

“They are a well balanced side, with a tough, hard-working and, equally so, athletic forward pack and then have smart and powerful players throughout the backline.

“Connacht are a team that fights for everything but also play very, very smart rugby.”

Discussing his squad for the club’s first home game of the Champions Cup campaign, Borthwick said: “We have made a handful of changes, which provides some opportunities for players who did not feature in France last weekend as well as continuing to strengthen the depth in this group.

“No matter who is selected, the expectation remains the same that each player delivers a performance our supporters will be proud of on Sunday afternoon.”

[Scott1]

6/2 me likey! Genge you silly man!

[DeadlyDunc]

Not sure what to make of that - its halfway to being a strong team but for some reason it doesn't quite sit right for me. I'm sure i will be proved wrong come 4pm on Sunday!

[MCC1964]

Presumably Bryce is the back up 10 if anything happens to Fred? Then t’other Fred to full back and Porter on the wing?

[TigerCam]

SB sure loves to mix it up. Heart in mouth time again but I have the faith in SB and the boys to come through. Connacht made it easy of a poor SF side last weekend. The Tigers will be a bigger and full 80 min test for them.

No Genge - on the naughty step maybe? I guess he needs the time to pack his boxes, put the house on the market and get more hugs from Lam .

[RagingBull]

Suggests Leatigaga staying?