The Local Derby v Saints!

[Hot_Charlie]

I think that's close to what the team would be - with Manu on the bench obviously.

I suspect Fitz at 6 and Croft as impact sub though

Cant wait !!

Mmmm, or will Cockers be brave and start Manu with Betham on the bench? Croft or Fitz could easily be decided on the toss of a coin.

[Robespierre]

No bull, Tigers will win this by at least 30!!!!

[jgriffin]

my two terrace tickets are on BuyBack as of 0915 due to Mrs G's illness.

[Jumbo]

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Welford Road, Saturday 5.00pm)
15 George Worth
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Peter Betham
12 Owen Williams
11 Tom Brady
10 Freddie Burns
9 Jono Kitto
1 Logovi'i Mulipola
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Greg Bateman
4 Ed Slater
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Fitzgerald
7 Brendon O'Connor
8 Luke Hamilton

Replacements
16 Harry Thacker
17 Ellis Genge
18 Pat Cilliers
19 Lachlan McCaffrey
20 Will Evans
21 Sam Harrison
22 Manu Tuilagi
23 JP Pietersen

[Southerntiger]

Why have we picked second choice players in about 5 positions?

[Hot_Charlie]

Obviously going for size in the back row although McCaffrey must be a little unlucky although having Fitz at 6 presents the 3rd genuine line out option. Not a terrible bench though.

[Knightonian]

For me it would suggest an impact bench with AM and RC feeling the need for 2 back row replacements

All the backs on the bench should also being higher intensity

I guess proof will be in the pudding

[Iain]

I don't think any of us would have called that side. How odd.

I'm sure there's method to the madness though.

[ourla]

Saints:

15 Ben Foden (capt)
14 Jamie Elliott
13 Luther Burrell
12 JJ Hanrahan
11 George North
10 Stephen Myler
9 Tom Kessell
1 Alex Waller
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Paul Hill
4 Michael Paterson
5 James Craig
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Ben Nutley
8 Louis Picamoles

16 Charlie Clare
17 Ethan Waller
18 Gareth Denman
19 Api Ratuniyarawa
20 Lewis Ludlam
21 Nic Groom
22 George Pisi
23 Ken Pisi

[strawclearer]

Northampton: Foden (capt); Elliott, Burrell, Hanrahan, North; Myler, Kessell; Waller, Haywood, Hill, Paterson, Craig, Gibson, Nutley, Picamoles.

Replacements: Clare, Waller, Denman, Ratuniyarawa, Ludlam, Groom, G Pisi, K Pisi.

A reasonably good Saints side but with a lot missing, of course.

I guess we're looking to save a few legs with some tough games coming up - but a point's a point wherever it comes from so I hope we're on for 4 of them tomorrow! Hell of a Tigers bench!

[ourla]

I don't think any of us would have called that side. How odd.

I'm sure there's method to the madness though.

It looks to me like they see a weakened Saints lacking in confidence and therefore you can save a couple of big guns back. Worse case scenario is we are losing by a score on 50 minutes and you send on the cavalry. But if the starting XV play as they can we will be ahead though and it can just be see it out or get a TBP.

Another fascinating encounter.

[TigerCam]

No bull, Tigers will win this by at least 30!!!!

If only? With Kitto at 9 there will be slow ball for the Tigers and the Saints side isn't that shabby. I reckon the line out will be the Tigers. Picamoles will need careful shepherding as I can see North coming inside to feed off him. Tigers to grind out the win second 40, I don't see a WBP unless there is a total Saints implosion?

[LE18]

Looks like a very tough game to me, dont think there will be many points difference, hopefully a win for us, but i am not over confident, strange lineup!

[Tigerbeat]

Bookies have Tigers by 6...

[mol2]

With those selections you wonder if there are a few knocks being carried and I wouldn't be surprised if the 23 changes before kick off.