tigerburnie wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2024 11:19 am
Most of the Tigers academy players are playing men's rugby in the National leagues, some seem to be BUCs players who maybe are less used to playing against older players. The pace of Championship rugby is a step up, and playing against full time professional players is also a step up, but Nottingham also have non Championship regular players in their squad. You are doing a disservice to the quality of our academy players.
I can count on the fingers of one hand how many non regular players are playing for us tonight. And to be honest that’s more down to the amount of injuries we have than anything else. For instance- both our first and second choice fly halves are injured. As I pointed out to you previously, we lost 4 first choice players to injury, some serious, last week alone. We also have one of our locks on international duty with Germany.
There are 5 players in the squad who have not played regularly for us this season and in fact one of them is returning from long term injury so technically that’s 4. That’s 22 who are either regular first teamers (of which I can say with some certainty that all bar one of the starters, who is on loan, are, along with 4 of the replacements) Your constant argument that Nottingham are fielding a much changed team from last week and we’re also not fielding our regulars is quite simply untrue.
There are three players in the starting XV who played against Amptill in the league last week, hence I stated the fact that the Nottingham side for tonight is greatly changed. Not making any argument, just stating the obvious.
Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2024 12:22 pm
Can it be put down to both clubs looking for different things from this fixture ?
I would have assumed that the clubs would have discussed the level of squad they were putting out and so, whilst I can see the disappointment, I cannot see the problem.
Notable on the pictures put up by the club today of the senior squad today you can see some of the development lads not playing tonight, including Myall, Ilione & Hoyt, suggests that maybe they are being saved for next weekend given they haven't played today...
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
So I’m at the game with my husband, who has been a Tigers fan all his nearly 53 years.
His words.
‘Tigers don’t know what they’re doing, they’re being utterly overpowered in the scrum, this is embarrassing’
Also Tigers player gone off for HIA, not reappeared. Also in husband’s words ‘he doesn’t know where he is, he’s not coming back on’
This really is boys v men.
TheChild wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:36 pm
So I’m at the game with my husband, who has been a Tigers fan all his nearly 53 years.
His words.
‘Tigers don’t know what they’re doing, they’re being utterly overpowered in the scrum, this is embarrassing’
Also Tigers player gone off for HIA, not reappeared. Also in husband’s words ‘he doesn’t know where he is, he’s not coming back on’
This really is boys v men.
Must be more the weather affecting the scoring then perhaps?
Rugbygramps wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2024 10:57 am
For a game in 9 days time we are going to need 3 fit players in each of the specialist positions, front row and scrum half fit and training, so comment re Hoyt is right even if Hurd and Richardson are fit.
Interesting that Vanes is listed to play v Nottingham which may suggest Claire is near to playing, to be one of 3 hookers with Montoya and FTT
We also get Heyes back as it is an England fallow week.
For me, the Ealing team would be: Whitcombe, Vanes, Richardson, Wells, Lewis Chessum, Rogerson, Illione, Cracknell, Edwards, Wilkinson, Simmons, Woodward, Porter, Bassett, Gourlay.
Bench of FTT, Van der Flier, Heyes, Carter, Josh Manz, Whitely, Shillcock, Cokanasiga
We may also get asked to play JVP if he is fit and England need him to get some minutes.
don't forget there is an England A game vs Portugal to be played at Welford Road, JvP could be kept back for that
TheChild wrote: ↑Fri Feb 09, 2024 8:36 pm
So I’m at the game with my husband, who has been a Tigers fan all his nearly 53 years.
His words.
‘Tigers don’t know what they’re doing, they’re being utterly overpowered in the scrum, this is embarrassing’
Also Tigers player gone off for HIA, not reappeared. Also in husband’s words ‘he doesn’t know where he is, he’s not coming back on’
This really is boys v men.
They seem to be doing quite well then if it is only 5 0 at half time??
Yes Tigers were outmatched and out muscled, yes there was only ever one winner, but I think from all accounts they stood up well against a very tough opposition.
I think both sides got plenty out of it.
Nottingham got to have a test and get practice in for upcoming challenges.
Tigers got to view a lot of youngsters amd get an idea who is capable of the step up.
Used to run around with an 11, 14 or 15 on my back.
Didn't watch or hear any commentary from the game, but the score line says it all. Experience for the younger players is good I guess, but not so sure about the experience of being held to zero by Nottingham
