Gloucester Vs Leicester

[FKAS]

Christ alight, we came close to throwing that away. Some incredibly average penalties given away, plenty of defensive mistakes, Ford forgot how to kick from the ground, failed to adapt to Gloucester's maul (although they were blocking every single time - the maul was started before the catcher came down with the ball) - we were a mess.

And yet, a 5 point win, away from home. Not to be sniffed at. That's the kind of game that we'd've lost last season.

Puja

10 points from a potential 10. If I'd offered you that during pre season you'd have ripped my arm off.

Yeah it was scrappy and messy. Borthwick will not be happy with the maul defence and Sinfield will not be happy with how easy chaos ensued when the ball was kicked in behind the defensive line. Well kicked on the floor. Steward was the usual rock at the back, the kid is just so quietly brilliant at the back you sometimes forget how well he's playing because it's not instantly eye catching after you've watched a couple of games of him taking all the high balls.

Nick Dolly, this time last year he was waiting for the Championship season to start with Coventry and now he's the Prem's current top try scorer

[Gloskarlos]

I’m also not a fan of our new pitch. Ball just doesn’t bounce the same. Steward took every ball really well, why oh why keep kicking it down his throat

[Puja]

Just too many errors. Potters try from yet another promising glos lineout lost. Then optional tackling. If you think a Glos lineout maul is preformed take a relook at the same for tigers try. Think I’d have taken 2bp at the start, but reckon we left a draw out there through basic basic errors.

Just been back and looked and I'm afraid that is utter nonsense. Glaws have a clear shot at Wells's back when he lands and the maul forms behind him with Green and Heyes alongside him as the front row.

Looking at the Glaws maul where Chessum is yellowed - Clarke is lifted by Ludlow at the back, but Ludlow swivels as he brings him down, dropping Clarke on Gloucester's side and putting Ludlow directly behind him as a blocker.

I mean, it worked exceptionally well, and what the ref doesn't see is perfectly legal. It's a credit to your maul training that you cheated so exqusitely. We needed to deal with it better (if nothing else Liebenberg needed to be in the ref's ear about it), so I'm more congratulating your lot and annoyed at our lot, rather than complaining.

Puja

[FKAS]

I’m also not a fan of our new pitch. Ball just doesn’t bounce the same. Steward took every ball really well, why oh why keep kicking it down his throat

To be fair he sprints from a long way to come and claim every kick. A winger's dream at fullback. "You catch it Freddie then pass to me if you're not clobbered by the oncoming forwards". Glaws caused more problems with the grubbers in behind turning the wingers and where Steward couldn't come and mop it up.

[francoisfou]

I was sh...ing bricks in those last seconds expecting Tigers to concede a try and when the ref penalised Glos I yelled and scared ‘et indoorswho thought I’d died! 5 point wins in front of the Shed are rare!

[fivepointer]

Nic Dolly is doing well for a guy released by Sale and set for rugby in the Championship.

The game had good bits and some not so good. Neither side seemed capable of maintaining concentration.

Looking at the 2 12's, one in the England squad and one discarded, I thought Atkinson didnt do much but looked quite good doing it, while Kelly just didnt do much.

[Gloskarlos]

Don’t think Meehan has a very quick delivery, no time or space for 10 or 12, that improved when Varney came on. Healey suggesting the last maul should have been a pen for in at the side, not sure about that, think the ref was even enough, missed quite a few blocks in my view but let other things go. Elrington held his own very well against Cole, but then pinged twice in succession when tigers subs came on, struggled to get a bind for the first, no idea why he was pinged for the second. Oh well, there’s always next week.

[FKAS]

Don’t think Meehan has a very quick delivery, no time or space for 10 or 12, that improved when Varney came on. Healey suggesting the last maul should have been a pen for in at the side, not sure about that, think the ref was even enough, missed quite a few blocks in my view but let other things go. Elrington held his own very well against Cole, but then pinged twice in succession when tigers subs came on, struggled to get a bind for the first, no idea why he was pinged for the second. Oh well, there’s always next week.

I don't think Dolly is the best scrummaging hooker. Elrington did well to stay solid. A fresh Heyes was a bit much for him to handle. I think the first pen at the scrum was him hinging. The second was Balmain angle though the commentators blames Elrington.

Hopefully Tigers and build up Dolly's scrum game, for many facets of the game he is becoming very good so a bit of technical nous at the set piece should see him take another step forward. He's got age on his side in that department.