So the new-look (1st choice) back line will be............?

POSTIGER · Post by **POSTIGER** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:00 pm

...... i'm not to sure! Can Aaron or Toby play outside centre?

I think it'll be:
FB = Geordan
W = Tom V
W = Seru (unless we get someone new - a proper winger would be good!)
SH = Harry
FH = Derick Hougaard
IC = Aaron Mauger
OC = Dan Hipkiss

Seems a shame if you can't incorporate Mauger and Flood in the same starting XV?

Tigerbeat · Post by **Tigerbeat** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:10 pm

No place for Alex Tuilagi, Johne Murphy?

I would play Seru Rabeni at Centre. He was quite effective when he was playing last season.

Hot_Charlie · Post by **Hot_Charlie** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:10 pm

Johne M on the wing in place of Seru.

rdracup · Post by **rdracup** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:33 pm

FB = Geordan
W = Tom V
W = Seru (unless we get someone new - a proper winger would be good!)
SH = Harry
FH = Derick Hougaard
IC = Aaron Mauger
OC = Dan Hipkiss

BACK UP
Sam V
Ayoola E
Alex T
Toby F
Johne M
Ben Y..... is it enough - injuries and internationals ? maybe is my view.

Bud · Post by **Bud** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:40 pm

15. Geordan
14. Varndell
13. Hipkiss
12. Mauger
11. Tuilagi
10. Flood

15. Johne
14. Varndell
13. Erinle
12. Flood
11. Tuilagi
10. Hougaard

Daveyboy · Post by **Daveyboy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 5:47 pm

I worry that in the name of squad rotation, the backs will be different every week and pairings /partnerships will not be allowed to flourish.

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:18 pm

Daveyboy wrote:I worry that in the name of squad rotation, the backs will be different every week and pairings /partnerships will not be allowed to flourish.

Squad rotation didn't do too badly in 06/07.

To compete effectively in all three competitions, rotation is a given. Particularly when you think of the impact of losing players through EPS, injuries etc. So I doubt that there will be a definitive backline.

That said, and I'm sure I posted this just a few days ago, my default starting lineup would be:

Geordan
Johne or Biggs
Rabeni
Mauger
Varndell
Flood
Ellis

tigerseb · Post by **tigerseb** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:00 pm

by far the best team..

FB= G.Murphy
Wing=Tuilagi
OC=Hipkiss
IC=Flood
Wing= Varndell
FH=Hougaard
SH=Ellis

Then you have-
Rabeni- impact sub
Erinle
Mauger
J.Murphy

tigerfeet13 · Post by **tigerfeet13** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:26 pm

I would go for.

FB - Geordan Murphy

W - Varndell
W - Alex Tuilagi

C - Mauger
C - Erinle

FH - Hougaard/Flood (would like to see both in action, but I suspect Hougaard will get the nod because of his goal kicking)
SH - Ellis

And as many have said we have some great back up / rotation players

Vesty, J Murphy, Youngs, Rabini, Hipkiss.

For me SH is the only position that needs a bit more cover. Dupuy anyone?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:40 pm

I would have thought that a current English international fly half (Flood) should be superior to a former South African fly half, although I would expect both to be very good.

Which of our two prospective 10s played in the World Cup Final last year?

Also Tuilagi will have to play far better than last season to make the team this season.

Daveyboy · Post by **Daveyboy** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:08 pm

dailywaffle wrote:To compete effectively in all three competitions, rotation is a given.

I can't disagree with that. Rotation is essential but can increase the chance of less-than-satisfactory combos taking the field.

Having said that, the squad looks deeper in quality this season, even if it is smaller in numbers.

Kinoulton · Post by **Kinoulton** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:41 pm

Who do the opposition actually fear?

Varndell
Rabeni

Chalk and cheese, but no opposition team has ever looked at a Tigers team sheet and said: "Oh good. Varndell and Rabeni are playing against us."

dailywaffle · Post by **dailywaffle** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:54 pm

tigerseb wrote:by far the best team..

FB= G.Murphy
Wing=Tuilagi
OC=Hipkiss
IC=Flood
Wing= Varndell
FH=Hougaard
SH=Ellis

Then you have-
Rabeni- impact sub
Erinle
Mauger
J.Murphy

Ah well, if that's 'by far' the best team then there seems little point in debating it further.

Just on Tuilagi, and I agree with Pete here, why do so many have him as an automatic choice? Granted he will produce a decent charge once every few matches, but I want a bit more out of my winger.

I'd go so far as to say he was absolute pony last season.

TTRITH · Post by **TTRITH** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:32 pm

Wasn't Tuilagi unfit for the majority of last season? Yet we patched him up and sent him out cause we were lacking cover and still we haven't signed a winger...

Anyhoos... not the place for that, for me it all depends on who's fully fit. If Tuilagi can get back to season before last, he's 2nd choice, if not he's 3rd. Thats our lack of depth for you, but then Johne is a better fullback and... argh... If you hadn't noticed not happy about lack of choice!

I believe the list below incorparates the players for each position and IMO their selection order. This is with everyone 110% Match fit

Full Backs: Georden Murphy, Johne Murphy, Sam Vesty.
Wingers: Tom Varndell, Alesana Tuilagi, Johne Murphy, Ayoola Erinle, Seru Rabeni.
Centres: Toby Flood, Danny Hipkiss, Aaron Mauger, Seru Rabeni, Ayoola Erinle, Tom Youngs.
Fly Halfs: Derick Hougaard, Toby Flood, Aaron Mauger, Sam Vesty, Georden Murphy (at a push?)
Scrum Halfs: Harry Ellis, Ben Youngs.

15. Georden Murphy/Johne Murphy
14. Tom Varndell/Ayoola Erinle
13. Danny Hipkiss/Tom Youngs
12. Toby Flood/Aaron Mauger
11. Alesana Tuilagi/Seru Rabeni
10. Derick Hougaard/ Sam Vesty
9. Harry Ellis/Ben Youngs

And then take away Tom, Danny, Toby and Harry for England Duty... Please tell me another Centre, Scrum Half and a Winger are on their way please!

Gate · Post by **Gate** » Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:43 pm

Add Matt Smith and Dupuy to that lot, and it looks better for cover. But we still need another dedicated winger - Biggs would be just the ticket.