Tigers v Bristol (H) - Premiership - Saturday 27th April 2024 - KO: 15-00

[OakhamTiger32]

That matchday 23 is cracking! Great to see Reffell doesn't have any issues post HIA and good to see Martin back. Best XV I've seen for some time.. COYT

[OakhamTiger32]

Bristol Bears team to face Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday (3pm KO):

15. Max Malins (31 apps), 14. Siva Naulago (32 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (22 apps), 12. James Williams (39 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (38 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (35 apps), 9. Harry Randall (123 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (41 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (14 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (58 apps), 4. James Dun (31 apps), 5. Joe Batley (60 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (127 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (69 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (42 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (112 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (147 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (84 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (21 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (108 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (21 apps), 22. Virimi Vakatawa (16 apps), 23. Rich Lane (33 apps).

Unavailable: Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona, Callum Sheedy, Joe Jenkins, Noah Heward.

[TigerFeetSteve]

This is the first time we've had our best combination of pack out together this season!

The only other two who can argue to be in there are Heyes or Henderson.

[OakhamTiger32]

This will be a top game (I hope) between 2 very strong looking sides.. Not a fan of Carley or Kitt so I just hope and pray the game isn't ruined by the officials.

[TigerFeetSteve]

Bristol Bears team to face Leicester Tigers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road on Saturday (3pm KO):

15. Max Malins (31 apps), 14. Siva Naulago (32 apps), 13. Benhard Janse van Rensburg (22 apps), 12. James Williams (39 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (38 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (35 apps), 9. Harry Randall (123 apps); 1. Ellis Genge (41 apps), 2. Gabriel Oghre (14 apps), 3. Kyle Sinckler (58 apps), 4. James Dun (31 apps), 5. Joe Batley (60 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (127 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (c) (69 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (42 apps).

System players: 16. Harry Thacker (112 apps), 17. Jake Woolmore (147 apps), 18. Max Lahiff (84 apps), 19. Josh Caulfield (21 apps), 20. Jake Heenan (108 apps), 21. Kieran Marmion (21 apps), 22. Virimi Vakatawa (16 apps), 23. Rich Lane (33 apps).

Unavailable: Chris Vui, Santiago Grondona, Callum Sheedy, Joe Jenkins, Noah Heward.

Bit of an ex Tigers front row reunion going on there

[RunTigerRun]

First time we've been able to field our arguably strongest starting pack (in round 16... so what does that tell you about some injury/unavailability issues this season!).

Strong backline but still evident we are missing wingers (and pace in the backs). Hopefully Freddie back to 15 will help with some confidence and having Brown back in to start will give us that competitive edge on the flanks.

Strong bench, slightly disappointed to see Carnduff dropped from the 23 when Cracknell didn't have as good a showing off the bench vs Saints. Even Cracknell ahead of Hatherell as a back row sub is a surprise.

Still, strong team and if the pack can get on the front foot we should hopefully be able to starve Bristol of ball. That and the kick chase and defence will be critical to stopping their attacking game. Keep 15 players on the pitch and we have a chance to claw back a win. COYT

[sam16111986]

Strong XV bar Brown on the wing, he's going to need all his experience for this one.

The bench looks weaker than I'd have liked. No impact from the front row subs, Wells and Cracknell are in squad filler form (I'd have preferred Hatherall and Carnduff). No Benny means we're hoping JvP plays the full game and Phil C doesn't really inspire any confidence if we pick up injuries. Shame Porter isn't fit enough to wear 23 and cover most the backline.

[DeadlyDunc]

Strong XV bar Brown on the wing, he's going to need all his experience for this one.

The bench looks weaker than I'd have liked. No impact from the front row subs, Wells and Cracknell are in squad filler form (I'd have preferred Hatherall and Carnduff). No Benny means we're hoping JvP plays the full game and Phil C doesn't really inspire any confidence if we pick up injuries. Shame Porter isn't fit enough to wear 23 and cover most the backline.

Good points - Hurd seems to be struggling at the moment too.

I wonder if we'll see Porter again? Be a shame not to give him a send off and to see him play in a Tigers shirt before he goes

[TigerFeetSteve]

Strong XV bar Brown on the wing, he's going to need all his experience for this one.

The bench looks weaker than I'd have liked. No impact from the front row subs, Wells and Cracknell are in squad filler form (I'd have preferred Hatherall and Carnduff). No Benny means we're hoping JvP plays the full game and Phil C doesn't really inspire any confidence if we pick up injuries. Shame Porter isn't fit enough to wear 23 and cover most the backline.

Good points - Hurd seems to be struggling at the moment too.

I wonder if we'll see Porter again? Be a shame not to give him a send off and to see him play in a Tigers shirt before he goes

With Hurd he is returning from injury. Certainly not reached his pre-injury peak yet, hopefully he can do.

Porter was listed as unavailable last week. Hopefully he'll at least make the 23 vs the Black Lions, but if it's an insurance thing like Van Staden post concussion we may not see him...

[Stephen18]

Looks about as strong a team was we can put out, great to have Reffell back after going off last week though he’d miss this week he’s probably going the be the most important player on the pitch to slow their ball down. Also great having Martin in the row hopefully again we can dominate up front and get some point on the board, need to do what we failed to do last week and build a lead and put the pressure on them.
Surprised with the number of wings out and for the length of time we haven’t tried to get someone is as injury dispensation, David Williams and Marcus ramage from Nottingham both did pre season with the club so should be able to fill in, or try and get Holmes in from trailfinders they pretty much won the league and he again knows the personnel.
Brown and Scott are going to have to use all the game knowledge to contain Rensberg, Ibitoye and Malins.

[Old Hob]

The band is back together, let's hope they remember all the tunes.

[amazing tiger]

That’s probably our best team minus kata although I do worry what our attack will look like without him. Very worried if this team puts in another average performance

[RagingBull]

We miss power without Kata but a fully fit Scott would bring more around the park I feel

[Pellsey]

This will be a top game (I hope) between 2 very strong looking sides.. Not a fan of Carley or Kitt so I just hope and pray the game isn't ruined by the officials.

This was my first thought.... My strategy now is to try to ignore who the refs are before the game and if they do ruin it, then notice who they are... still the usual suspects though unfortunately.

I like the look of our XV especially the pack. Our bench is quite a bit weaker than theirs though, i fear. If Harry Thacker scores again...

So please play for the whole 80, this week, please!!!

[TigerFeetSteve]

Strong XV bar Brown on the wing, he's going to need all his experience for this one.

The bench looks weaker than I'd have liked. No impact from the front row subs, Wells and Cracknell are in squad filler form (I'd have preferred Hatherall and Carnduff). No Benny means we're hoping JvP plays the full game and Phil C doesn't really inspire any confidence if we pick up injuries. Shame Porter isn't fit enough to wear 23 and cover most the backline.

Good points - Hurd seems to be struggling at the moment too.

I wonder if we'll see Porter again? Be a shame not to give him a send off and to see him play in a Tigers shirt before he goes

With Hurd he is returning from injury. Certainly not reached his pre-injury peak yet, hopefully he can do.

Porter was listed as unavailable last week. Hopefully he'll at least make the 23 vs the Black Lions, but if it's an insurance thing like Van Staden post concussion we may not see him...

Re. Porter, just seen his name is NOT on the unavailable for selection list this week, so he probably was available this week.

Think we'll almost definitely see him next week vs the Black Lions then