Tigers v Saints (H) - Saturday 28th January 2023 - KO 14:00

[westwinds31]

Wiese is back!!!!

Some big guns back there. Website not updated yet but Twitter saved the day !

Well, there's a picture of Guy Porter....

[Darc Tiger]

Much stronger looking team than I expected!

Not a bad Saints side either, to be fair.

[kpj tiger]

Much better sides than expected, think Simmons can feel a little hard done by but otherwise as good as it could be really

[Chobbsy]

Wiese is back!!!!

Some big guns back there. Website not updated yet but Twitter saved the day !

Well, there's a picture of Guy Porter....

Weak in the second row, Saints however even losing both their starting 2nd rows have 2 internationals to step in

[TigerFeetSteve]

That's a strong looking team.

Dan Richardson as TH bench cover is my only real concern. IMO he's better atm on the Loosehead side. Suggests to me Leatigaga may have an issue.

Saints also having Augustus back is big for them.

[westwinds31]

STARTING XV
15 Freddie Burns [114]
14 Anthony Watson [10]
13 Matt Scott [57]
12 Guy Porter (vc) [53]
11 Harry Potter [56]
10 Handré Pollard [4]
9 Sam Edwards [8] **
1 James Whitcombe [34]
2 Julián Montoya (vc) [33]
3 Will Hurd [18]
4 Harry Wells [171]
5 Eli Snyman [27]
6 Hanro Liebenberg (c) [74]
7 Tommy Reffell [91]
8 Jasper Wiese [50]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [68]
17 Tom West *
18 Dan Richardson [9] **
19 George Martin [48]
20 Olly Cracknell [14]
21 Tom Whiteley *
22 Jimmy Gopperth [8]
23 Harry Simmons [29]

I like the look of the bench, great to see Edwards starting and Snyman featuring. Decent back line could cause some damage with Pollard improving game on game.

[Pellsey]

With one notable exception, our front row options look a little light. That would be my only concern.

I'm a little baffled that Atkinson is not playing, and Gopperth is. That said, Gopperth has done a few good things recently, and he definitely has the experience for the later stages of the game, if needed.

I do like the look of our backs, especially Porter being back, and it is great to see Martin back on the bench. Our back row looks awesome with Wiese there.

[Darc Tiger]

Wouldn't call our 2nd row weak. Wells has been a consistent performer for years, and Snyman did a job for us whenever needed last season.

Tighthead is a little bit of a worry, for obvious reasons, but let's hope we get one of ours back from England.

[westwinds31]

With one notable exception, our front row options look a little light. That would be my only concern.

I'm a little baffled that Atkinson is not playing, and Gopperth is. That said, Gopperth has done a few good things recently, and he definitely has the experience for the later stages of the game, if needed.

I do like the look of our backs, especially Porter being back, and it is great to see Martin back on the bench. Our back row looks awesome with Wiese there.

Whitcombe has proved more than capable against a host of decent props over the last few weeks and Hurd has been ok....West to come on as well if it's not going well. Snyman has a decent amount of kgs to push through.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Two interesting 23s, youngsters mixed in with world class players so kinda feel that anything could happen. Hoping being at home we’ll get a good solid win.

Interesting Martin is covering lock. Maybe he will move into the engine room more going forwards.

[Pellsey]

With one notable exception, our front row options look a little light. That would be my only concern.

I'm a little baffled that Atkinson is not playing, and Gopperth is. That said, Gopperth has done a few good things recently, and he definitely has the experience for the later stages of the game, if needed.

I do like the look of our backs, especially Porter being back, and it is great to see Martin back on the bench. Our back row looks awesome with Wiese there.

Whitcombe has proved more than capable against a host of decent props over the last few weeks and Hurd has been ok....West to come on as well if it's not going well. Snyman has a decent amount of kgs to push through.

True, Whitcombe really is getting a lot better. But when he and Montoya come off..

[TigerFeetSteve]

Also confirmed that this IS Burns final game

[Pellsey]

Wouldn't call our 2nd row weak. Wells has been a consistent performer for years, and Snyman did a job for us whenever needed last season.

Tighthead is a little bit of a worry, for obvious reasons, but let's hope we get one of ours back from England.

I agree. I think the 2nd row will hold their own...

[MCC1964]

With one notable exception, our front row options look a little light. That would be my only concern.

I'm a little baffled that Atkinson is not playing, and Gopperth is. That said, Gopperth has done a few good things recently, and he definitely has the experience for the later stages of the game, if needed.

I do like the look of our backs, especially Porter being back, and it is great to see Martin back on the bench. Our back row looks awesome with Wiese there.

I remember Atkinson limping at one point in the last game……or perhaps I dreamt that.

[Pellsey]

Also confirmed that this IS Burns final game

Boo.

I hope those in the ground give him a well-deserved send off!