Leicester Tigers 2017/18 Season

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Back Room
CEO: Simon Cohen
Head of Rugby operations: Gled Glynn

1st Team
Head Coach: Matt O'Connor
Scrum Coach: Boris Stankovich
Forwards coach:
Backs Coach: Geordan Murphy

2017/18 Squad: (Sorted alphabetically)
Props: Bateman, Beaumann. Cilliers, Cole, Genge, Mulipola, Rizzo, Traynor
Hooker: Kerr, Polota-Nau, McGuigan, Thacker, Youngs,
Lock: Barrow, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Wells
Back Row:Evans, Hamilton, Kalamafoni, Mapapalangi, McCaffrey, O'Connor, Ryan, Williams
Scrum Half: Harrison, Youngs
Fly half: G.Ford, J.Ford
Centre: Catchpole, Malouf, Owens, Smith, Toomua, Tuilagi,
Wing/Full Back: Brady, Holmes, Tait, Thompstone, Veainu,

Development Squad
Props: Betts, Grahamslaw, Heyes, Traynor
Hooker: Mahoney
Locks: Lewis, Maksymiw
Back Row: Reffell, Tuilagi
Scrum Half: White, Simmons
Fly Half: Hardwick,
Centre: Thacker,
Wing/Full Back: J.Olowofela, Worth

Leavers: Brugnara (N/A), Bryant (Jersey), Yawayawa (Glasgow)
Joiners: Grahamslaw, Hardwick, Heyes, Reffell, Traynor,

European Pool 4:
Castres
Leicester Tigers
Munster
Racing

I thought Tait was excellent last week coming on for Owen. He's lost the pace needed to attack or more crucially defend from 15 but he's put in some strong performances in the centres.

Worth deserves to be on the bench instead of Ford though. Realistically I'd take his versatility on the bench over Malouf as well.

I was pleased to see Tait and Smith re-sign.

A decision needs to be made on whether Toomua is the long term back-up to Ford at 10, depending on that either a stronger 10 or an extra centre is needed to round of the depth. That aside I'd be very happy with the below options next season.

9.Youngs, Harrison, Simmons, White
10.G Ford, Hardwick
11.May, Holmes
12.Toomua, Owen, Smith
13.Tuilagi, Tait, Thacker
14.Thompstone, Malouf
15.Veainu, Worth, Olowofela

It's a shame that we missed out on Cordero, he'd have rounded those options well given his versatility. Being completely pragmatic and honest I'd have happily lost Brady, Pakalani, Catchpole and J Ford to add his quality to the back line.

For me this week was ideal for Worth. The weather is crap and he has a big boot and is a secondary playmaker to help bring our wings into the game on Wuss hybrid pitch. Tait on to the bench in case we need him.

I like Tait but he's a short term option. His speed is vanishing, he struggles to do a job at 13 or 15 where he's open to being taken on the outside. The brain is still good though.

Worth is quicker and more physical. He's got the all the characteristics to be another Sam Vesty for us but at this rate we'll never play him and he'll leave. Then we'll be stumping around trying to sign some journeyman to fill out the squad costing us more money and meaning we have to cut back elsewhere. The failure to drip feed in academy players and develop them in the first team is a key factor in the mess we're in now.

Tigers will keep the game plan simple like last week so not sure Worth would’ve been better over Tait.

Tait played really well last week, and his running help create Bateman’s try. So not sure why he should be dropped.

Sam Aspland Robinson is 100% signed from what I hear.

Welly wrote: Tigers will keep the game plan simple like last week so not sure Worth would’ve been better over Tait.

Tait played really well last week, and his running help create Bateman’s try. So not sure why he should be dropped.

I'd argue Worth's more physical presence and boot make him a more like for like replacement for Owen than Tait. Tait did play well but his career is near its end. Worcester are the second worst team in the league and we have a string backline available. There's not a better time to bring in a development player. Especially as Tait would be there on the bench as insurance.

I can see the arguments both ways.

I am struggling to see though why Joe is on the bench if there is another goal kicker available.

I'm not a big fan of our backs replacement options anyway. Joe is only a flyhalf, he's not got the physicality, footwork or pace to play 12 or 15. Malouf is a winger that at a push can play 13 but in his first season of pro 15s will have positioning issues.

If Tait gets injured a midfield pairing of Manu and Malouf may well get picked apart by Mills who is a clever 12 and Vesty an astute backs/attack coach. If TV goes down do we go with the slow but reliable Tait and that midfield combo or do we have Simmons play there at only 19 in his first season of first team involvement?

Holmes can play 15 too.

Welly wrote: Holmes can play 15 too.

Has he done so for us? I can't recall him playing 15 for either the first team or A league. Bit of an ask when we could have just involved Worth who has played 10/13/15 this season and is a decent goal kicker. With the added advantage that we're developing a young player for future seasons.

So Tait has been caught on the ball several times sending us backwards then throws an interception pass which Holmes pulls a hammy fixing and stopping a Wuss try.

Tell me again how Worth could have been worse?

Still won with a TBP.

Welly wrote: Still won with a TBP.

Thanks to a great pack display and TV and Manu really turning up with some x factor. Toomua's chip for the second TV try was perfect.

Much improved.

Three wins on thee bounce, last two with TBPs and decent performances. Lets hope the progress does not stall with the mid-season break we now have.

LondonTiger wrote:Three wins on thee bounce, last two with TBPs and decent performances. Lets hope the progress does not stall with the mid-season break we now have.

That's some time to rest tired bodies and also some time for Bakewell to keep drilling the forwards. No game planning or recovery to worry about they can spend more time at Oval Park going through the drills.

I had noticed some immediate changes taking effect, most noticeably how the forwards are looking to carry into contact, and how we choose to defend the maul. Another 3 weeks of work could really help as Wasps have not been in stunning form and are beatable.

Biggest change for me is the forwards are taking the ball at pace and supporting each other in contact. Could do with a emphasising the support aspect a little but the momentum is a big factor when you consider how static our attack was previously.

Genge apparently targeting Wasps for his return would be a huge boost as well. With the continuing form of Bateman plus Youngs and Logo improving game by game I'd happily keep that unit together then fire Genge/TPN/Cole on at 50 minutes. Tigers bench has been lacking in big games for too long, the impact those three could have on set-piece and loose play would be massive.

The biggest change for the forwards has been body angle in contact in my opinion. Fitzgerald in particular was looking more like the player of his first season.

After that, it seems clear that Bakewell has simplified the game plan considerably. There were noticeable pattern plays from set-piece where Manu/Tait would carry up the middle, the forwards would come round the corner twice then the ball would go wide with a pod of forwards making yards up the wing. It's a simple but an effective way of getting quick ball, stretching a defence and allowing the whole backline to get set for attacking to the opposite touchline.

Basic changes but it's finally a structure to build on which has been blatantly lacking all season.

In dominant fashion as well. Good to see the academy flourishing. Hopefully we can keep drip feeding these guys experience so that they can push on into the first team. We've already seen Jordan, Yarnell and Wager, could yet be a couple more.

king_carlos wrote:The biggest change for the forwards has been body angle in contact in my opinion. Fitzgerald in particular was looking more like the player of his first season.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Biggest change for me is the forwards are taking the ball at pace and supporting each other in contact.

I think it is a combination of these, and had noticed all three things. England could look at doing the same exercises as the last two 6Ns games has shown it up as a massive issue.

For pretty much the first time this month torn between who to vote for in the Player of the Month. Bateman or Toomua.

What lineup do people expect for Wasps visit on Sunday?

With Cilliers on the bench tonight for the A team I assume that Dan Cole will feature, though he has been looking in need of a rest. Will Ford (g not F of course) come in? What about May?

I did wonder whether Genge might get a little run out tonight. Cilliers is an interesting one, he's not had a lot of game time but surely he's a better bet from the bench than Rizzo. Bateman and Cole to.start with Mulipola shifted across to cover loosehead.

I'd imagine George will. Come strath back in, May might get a break or start on the bench as he started last weekend whilst the other two had shorter games from the bench.

Leicester Mercury says that Ellis Genge will be fit to play against Wasps, and Lenny is on progress to feature against Saints.

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/ellis-genge-fit-again-give-1363330

So possible lineup of:

Bateman, Youngs, Mulipola, Kitch, Fitz, Hamilton, BOC, Kalamafoni, Harrison, ford, Thompstone, Toomua, Manu, Malouf, Veainu

Reps: TPN, Genge, Cole, Wells, Evans, Simmons, Tait, May

Cole will start IMO.
O'Connor is also injured i believe.

Would I guess explain why MOC name checked both Evans and Mapapalangi a week or so ago:

The back row is a little bit thin. We have still got Luke Hamilton in the Scotland mix but we should have Will Evans back and we still have Valentino Mapapalangi available so there are a couple of boys there who can jump into that slot and give us some coverage for the run-in.

I could see MOC starting the England players and Genge if they are fit. With a week off after the Wasps game and another after Saints due to no ERCC or AWC games left I think MOC will view those as rest for his stars.

I'd prefer Genge and Cole on the bench but I think they will start.

1.Genge 2.Youngs 3.Cole 4.Fitzgerald 5.Kitchener 6.Hamilton 7.Evans 8.Kalamafoni
9.Harrison 10.Ford 11.May 12.Toomua 13.Tuilagi 14.Thompstone 15.Veainu

16.TPN 17.Bateman 18.Mulipola 19.Wells 20.Mapapalangi 21.Simmons 22.Tait 23.Malouf

Worries about burnout aside that would be the closest we've seen to full strength for a long while.

That would be a good side to see play. Maybe we'll see the props start the other way round just to ease Cole and Genge back in. I'd like to see us back some youth in the backs replacements, maybe Worth but I think you're closer to the MOC thinking.

BUY TICKETS

LEICESTER TIGERS

VS

WASPS

25 March 2018 15:00 at Welford Road

Team news: Tigers return to Welford Road action

23 March 2018 12:00 By Gary Sherrard

Ellis Genge

England internationals George Ford, Jonny May, Dan Cole and Ellis Genge return to the Leicester Tigers team for Sunday’s Aviva Premiership showdown with Wasps at Welford Road (3.00pm).

Ford, May and Cole are named in the starting line-up at the conclusion of the Six Nations Championship, while Genge is included in the matchday squad for the first time since surgery on a shoulder injury.

Valentino Mapapalangi and Luke Hamilton come into the back row with Mike Williams and Brendon O’Connor ruled out this week by injuries picked up in the win over Worcester Warriors in Round 17.

Will Evans is added to the matchday squad and joins fellow academy graduates Harry Wells and Harry Simmons among the replacements.

Tigers head coach Matt O’Connor said: “The boys who’ve been here throughout the Six Nations period have put us back in the mix and that gives everyone confidence. Now, we have the England players back in and they’re keen to put down a marker around their own club performances.

“Ellis Genge has been training hard and has come back incredibly well from his injury. He is raring to go and really keen to contribute.”

Sunday’s game is heading towards a 25,849 sell-out, with a limited number of tickets still on sale from the Tigers ticket office. Book in person, phone 0116 319 8888 or online at www.leicestertigers.com/matchtickets Leicester Tigers (v Wasps, Welford Road, Sunday 3.00pm)

Tigers Team:

15 Telusa Veainu

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Matt Toomua

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Sam Harrison

1 Greg Bateman

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Valentino Mapapalangi

7 Luke Hamilton

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements:

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Ellis Genge

18 Logovi’i Mulipola

19 Harry Wells

20 Will Evans

21 Harry Simmons

22 Mathew Tait

23 Nick Malouf

Very close Carlos. Genge being eased in and MOC still has the stupid insistence on selecting the biggest available backrow even though we know Hamilton doesn't work at 7. At least Evans is on the bench, hopefully we get him on early and Bakewell is able to get our forwards to keep Wasps from our breakdown.

Wasps: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Christian Wade, 13 Juan De Jongh, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Dan Robson; 1 Simon McIntyre, 2 Tom Cruse, 3 Jake Cooper-Woolley, 4 Joe Launchbury (c), 5 James Gaskell, 6 James Haskell, 7 Thomas Young, 8 Guy Thompson

Replacements: 16 TJ Harris, 17 Matt Mullan, 18 Marty Moore, 19 Will Rowlands, 20 Kearnan Myall, 21 Jack Willis, 22 Joe Simpson, 23 Josh Bassett

Well we've got the edge I'm the front row and Wasps don't have much forwards impact off the bench. That's a quality backrow and backline they've got to start the game. Should be a ding dong battle. Hopefully they'll tire and we can exploit that.

Interesting that Wasps have gone 6/2 on the bench. Is that due to injuries in the backs?

LondonTiger wrote:Interesting that Wasps have gone 6/2 on the bench. Is that due to injuries in the backs?

Wasps injuries this season have been on par with some of the build-ups Tigers have had in recent seasons. Difference for Wasps is that many of their stars have stayed fit hence the strong starting XV but weaker bench. I think the below are all still out plus Sam Jones of course...

Tommy Taylor
Ashley Johnson
PDJ
Matt Symons
Nathan Hughes
Alex Rieder
Kyle Eastmond
Brendan Macken
Gaby Lovobalavu

More of them are forwards than backs though so it may well be tactical. With Gopperth at 12 and Daly on the wing they have plenty of versatility to shuffle the back line.

I disagree about lack of forward impact, Sam. Willis has been one of the finds of the season for Wasps, Myall is an often overlooked lock and whilst Mullan and Moore haven't reached previous standards this season they are experienced props to fire off the bench. Tigers breakdown woes will be tested massively by that Wasps back row then Willis. Our line-out fading as games go on is something a line-out lock like Myall will relish and given that Tigers will be targeting the scrum I think those reserve props could be important.

I think Tigers are narrow favourites at home but all the salary cap invested in our expensive and now fit front row will need to pay-off. I hope a swift decision to bring Evans on gets made if the breakdown is looking ugly too.

Willis is a very good young player. He'll provide plenty of impact but I don't rate either prop I'm afraid. Mullan's form has fallen away and we've seen Cole do a number on him before, Moore hasn't really shown up at Wasps and I expect Genge to really attack him at scrum time. I don't think either prop will offer much in the loose. The two second rows are average AP players, you are correct about Myall and his lineout work but if he comes on it'll be more Gaskell and so one lineout specialist will replace another. Our lineout will be under pressure most of the game.

Should be a close game. Hopefully our Bakewell coached forwards will take a degree of control and give our x factor backs some quality ball to work with.

Wasps 7 lucky not to get done for a shoulder to the head in that last ruck

Oo thought they were in there ...

It'd a brilliant tackle by Robson to get back there and then he lies all over the man and Harrison knocks on, on the floor trying to get the ball out.

Worrying to see Manu and May both leave the field so early. That's major blows to our backline.

Jeez unlucky - May and Manu off already

That's the least straight push you'll see all weekend from the Wasps pack. Cooper-Wooly was facing the Crumbie stand pretty much from the engage.

Not sure Pearce knows what's going on ..

Where was the TMO when the Wasps 7 deliberately put his shoulder into the head of a Tigers player at the start of the match. I say deliberate as he stopped at the ruck then drove his shoulder into the Tigers player to try to clear him off the ball.

Manu is injured again???

I know the ref is missing some things but at least he’s allowing both teams to challenge at the ruck somewhat. Yesterday’s Quinn’s Saracens game was reffed so different to anything in the 6N it was utmost unwatchable (there were other reasons too).

I said it before and I know there is more to captaincy then just talking to the ref but Tom Youngs really is poor in that regard. That’s not meant as a personal attack in regards to everything he’s having to deal with in real life, just a rugby observation.

Manu upper body injury. Looked pretty upset, hope it’s not serious.

Sgt Manu has gone off as a precaution. Shoulder/peck, hopefully just a stinger.

The assistant and the TMO seem keen to interrupt on behalf of Wasps but not so keen for Tigers.

Looked like his pec again ...

B91212 wrote:I know the ref is missing some things but at least he’s allowing both teams to challenge at the ruck somewhat. Yesterday’s Quinn’s Saracens game was reffed so different to anything in the 6N it was utmost unwatchable (there were other reasons too).

I said it before and I know there is more to captaincy then just talking to the ref but Tom Youngs really is poor in that regard. That’s not meant as a personal attack in regards to everything he’s having to deal with in real life, just a rugby observation.

Tom Youngs is a little too passionate to be a great captain particularly with the refs.

Wasps tried the run around again at the scrum slipped and Tigers finally get the pen.

Tigers nowhere near clinical enough in Wasps half.

Epic tackle by Tait.

What a tackle!

Now the TMO is even chirping in for knock-ons ...