Leicester vs London Irish - Sat 3pm

[Puja]

Leicester: Hegarty; Potter, Scott, Kelly, Nadolo; Burns, Wigglesworth; Whitcombe, Montoya, Heyes, Wells, Snyman, Liebenberg (capt), Reffell, Wiese.

Replacements: Clare, Van Wyk, Leatigaga, Green, Robinson, Van Poortvliet, Moroni, Ashton.

London Irish: Stokes; Cinti, Rona, Van Rensburg, Hassell-Collins; Jackson, Phipps (capt); Goodrick-Clarke, Creevy, Van der Merwe, Munga, Simmons, Cracknell, O'Brien, Tuisue.

Replacements: Cornish, Gigena, Hoskins, Coleman, Rogerson, Martin Gonzalez, O'Sullivan, Arundell.

Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU).

[Puja]

A must-win for Leicester this one - Irish are a good side, but we're at home, we've got a decent side out, and we need to bounce back from the Saracens loss.

Good to see that Whitcombe is comfortably ahead of Van Wyk and Leatigaga now. He's come on really well this season.

Puja

[Tigersman]

Not sure I would call it a must win game

[FKAS]

Karl Dickson the man that doesn't like rolling mauls. The go to weapon isn't going to enable us to grind out a win then. We'll need to show more invention. LI are coming with a BIG pack as well so this could be a right dust up.

I don't think any games at this point are must win for Tigers. The aim at the start of the season would have been top 4 contenders and we are right in amongst it with five first team players away with England. LI don't really have that problem and are a good side this season. Keeping Welford Road a fortress is the important thing.

Could have done with Chessum back from England for bench impact, no keen on Green playing a full game or coming off the bench. He's the ideal start and replace set piece lock.

[Banquo]

Is Martin crocked? Assume rain is forecast, allowing the Wiggler to take his place behind a near first choice pack (bar injuries and call ups)

[fivepointer]

Irish in great form playing some really attractive rugby. If they can break even up front this is a game that could be very close.

Good to see Whitcombe getting a run of games. Thought he acquitted himself well last week against a top tight head.

[FKAS]

Banquo don't know if Martin is being rested or not. Borthwick likes his rotation and not to comment on injuries.

Whitcombe did very well last weekend up against Koch, held his own even when Sarries opted for scrums looking to go after him and Dolly. He seems to have learnt from the Glaws game where Balmain used his experience to get some penalties out of him. Heyes played brilliantly well and really took Barrington to task last weekend. Be a tough game for both of them against LIs big props, the hooker battle should be a cracker.

[Tigersman]

Is Martin crocked? Assume rain is forecast, allowing the Wiggler to take his place behind a near first choice pack (bar injuries and call ups)

Just not ahead of Liebenberg or Wiese atm.

IMO next season Tigers needs to start looking at him at lock along with Chessum
4. Martin, 5. Chessum
6. Liebenberg, 7. Reffell, 8. Wiese

[Puja]

Karl Dickson the man that doesn't like rolling mauls. The go to weapon isn't going to enable us to grind out a win then. We'll need to show more invention. LI are coming with a BIG pack as well so this could be a right dust up.

I don't think any games at this point are must win for Tigers. The aim at the start of the season would have been top 4 contenders and we are right in amongst it with five first team players away with England. LI don't really have that problem and are a good side this season. Keeping Welford Road a fortress is the important thing.

Could have done with Chessum back from England for bench impact, no keen on Green playing a full game or coming off the bench. He's the ideal start and replace set piece lock.

I'm greedy - from this position and from the season we've had, I'll be highly disappointed if we finish anywhere but top of the regular league.

You're not wrong - Green's not going to up the intensity from the bench. Could be good to steady the ship though. The problem is that the only available lock that we have with that capability is Wells and, ideally, we want to be starting him!

On a related subject, I had previously assumed that Martin was going to end up moving back up into the second row, but there doesn't appear to be an appetite to play him here; indeed, he seems to be getting further away by moonlighting as an eight. Does anybody else see his future in the row? (ETA. Hah, crossed posts with Tigersman!)

Puja

[Puja]

Is Martin crocked? Assume rain is forecast, allowing the Wiggler to take his place behind a near first choice pack (bar injuries and call ups)

There is rain, but truth be told, Wiggy's still playing very well (despite being 95 this year). It's probably as much rotation as it is horses for courses.

Puja

[FKAS]

I think Borthwick likes depth and Tigers are producing locks. Liebenburg does tend to pick up knocks it's just the all action way he plays and Martin does make an impact off the bench. For next season I'd expect it to be something like (not in strict selection order or anything);

4. Wells, Chessum
5. Henderson, Green, Snyman
6. Liebenburg, Martin
7. Reffell, MVS
8. Weise, Cracknell? (He's being linked)

Development squad options
4. Manz
5. Chessum Jnr
6. Agbongbon
7. Ilione
8. Nansen? (If his trial turns into a contract)

That would give us plenty of cover before anymore come up through the academy. Manz and Chessum Jnr ain't small either they won't be covering 6.

[Portcullis Irish]

Irish in great form playing some really attractive rugby. If they can break even up front this is a game that could be very close.

Good to see Whitcombe getting a run of games. Thought he acquitted himself well last week against a top tight head.

BT delivered again by not covering this game or for that matter any of the Saturday games P#ss poor.

Our record at Tiggs poor so time for a win of any sort 6-2 bench an indication of where we think this game will be won. Wiese overdue his usual card?

[FKAS]

Irish in great form playing some really attractive rugby. If they can break even up front this is a game that could be very close.

Good to see Whitcombe getting a run of games. Thought he acquitted himself well last week against a top tight head.

BT delivered again by not covering this game or for that matter any of the Saturday games P#ss poor.

Our record at Tiggs poor so time for a win of any sort 6-2 bench an indication of where we think this game will be won. Wiese overdue his usual card?

He's been on his best behaviour since picking up a ban for three yellow cards, though one of them was a penalty any other week the other two were thoroughly deserved. Borthwick has been working with him to channel his aggression. Much more positive recently. He's a big part of the Bible study group at Tigers so maybe that helps.

Tigers discipline has generally improved a great deal under Borthwick though there is still the occasional game where it goes down the toilet. We were too squeaky clean last weekend, bar Murimurivalu's rush of blood to the head, whilst Sarries quite frankly took the piss on the penalty count. Ref didn't warn them so they carried on. I suspect after that we might play more on the fringe of the law this week. Certainly Big Hanro will take a penalty rather than risk conceding a try which we missed last weekend. Two opensides in the 23 suggests we might well target the breakdown and although Dickson is certainly improving as a ref it can be a lottery.

I hadn't noticed the LI 6:2 bench split until you said. You look a bit short on backs considered who's on the bench so maybe not much choice. Tigers do like a rolling maul and the attack can go a bit blunt if we don't have physical dominance so not a bad call.

[Puja]

Got to watch the highlights of this one finally - good solid performance by Leicester and got the job very firmly done.

Arundell looked like he had a very good game for Irish, including a belter of a try. I think he stepped in last minute after a pre-match injury, and apparently acquitted himself well in the non-highlight nuts and bolts as well. Think we should be looking at taking him on tour to Australia before the Scots start getting any further ideas.

Great to see Chris Ashton back scoring again. It was a decent finish as well - would be great to see him back to somewhere near his best. I've never disliked him as much as most do, but I wasn't sure about us taking him on after three failed club stints in a row. Have turned right around on that ever since the Northampton game, where he was only on as an HIA sub and was leaving the pitch next stoppage, and yet absolutely hammered it across field to stop what looked to be a certain try with a brilliant tackle. I've got a lot of time for someone willing to show that effort and that desire - hope he can get the last three tries he needs to be the top all-time Prem try scorer.

Puja

[FKAS]

Scrappy match from both sides. The red card really killed it off as a competition which was a bit of a shame. Dickson made some odd decisions but to be fair to him got all three cards spot on.

Arundell looked sensational in attack and his positioning and kicking were very good as well though he did butcher a 2 on 1 that should have been a certain try by lobbing the ball over OHC head whilst they were sprinting full gas towards the line. His defence might need some finessing as well as he bought the Nadolo step for his second try far to easily, possibly some self preservation there. I think a summer tour cap would make a lot of sense though the under 20s might want him for the JWC.

Kevin Sinfield is unlikely to be happy with the defensive organisation by Tigers, a lot of individual errors. Nadolo did hint post game that some of the forwards were feeling it a bit so we might see a lot of changes for the PRC game next Friday. Tigers attack showed some nice variation at times as well.

[fivepointer]

Arundell looked really sharp from the highlights.

The red card was just ridiculous. How players are still committing these dumb acts and getting sent off is beyond me. Have they learnt nothing?

[Timbo]

Scrappy match from both sides. The red card really killed it off as a competition which was a bit of a shame. Dickson made some odd decisions but to be fair to him got all three cards spot on.

Arundell looked sensational in attack and his positioning and kicking were very good as well though he did butcher a 2 on 1 that should have been a certain try by lobbing the ball over OHC head whilst they were sprinting full gas towards the line. His defence might need some finessing as well as he bought the Nadolo step for his second try far to easily, possibly some self preservation there. I think a summer tour cap would make a lot of sense though the under 20s might want him for the JWC.

Kevin Sinfield is unlikely to be happy with the defensive organisation by Tigers, a lot of individual errors. Nadolo did hint post game that some of the forwards were feeling it a bit so we might see a lot of changes for the PRC game next Friday. Tigers attack showed some nice variation at times as well.

Next JWC is 2023.

[FKAS]

Arundell looked really sharp from the highlights.

The red card was just ridiculous. How players are still committing these dumb acts and getting sent off is beyond me. Have they learnt nothing?

Arundell had three or four runs and I imagine they are all on the highlights reel. If anything LI needed to get him on the ball a bit more.

The red card was silly, tucking one arm to get more shoulder into the contact is just begging the TMO to flag it to the ref for a card. He goes with both arms there and the chance of a red is significantly reduced.

[FKAS]

Scrappy match from both sides. The red card really killed it off as a competition which was a bit of a shame. Dickson made some odd decisions but to be fair to him got all three cards spot on.

Arundell looked sensational in attack and his positioning and kicking were very good as well though he did butcher a 2 on 1 that should have been a certain try by lobbing the ball over OHC head whilst they were sprinting full gas towards the line. His defence might need some finessing as well as he bought the Nadolo step for his second try far to easily, possibly some self preservation there. I think a summer tour cap would make a lot of sense though the under 20s might want him for the JWC.

Kevin Sinfield is unlikely to be happy with the defensive organisation by Tigers, a lot of individual errors. Nadolo did hint post game that some of the forwards were feeling it a bit so we might see a lot of changes for the PRC game next Friday. Tigers attack showed some nice variation at times as well.

Next JWC is 2023.

Very true. At some point I'll actually remember this.

[Portcullis Irish]

Irish in great form playing some really attractive rugby. If they can break even up front this is a game that could be very close.

Good to see Whitcombe getting a run of games. Thought he acquitted himself well last week against a top tight head.

BT delivered again by not covering this game or for that matter any of the Saturday games P#ss poor.

Our record at Tiggs poor so time for a win of any sort 6-2 bench an indication of where we think this game will be won. Wiese overdue his usual card?

He's been on his best behaviour since picking up a ban for three yellow cards, though one of them was a penalty any other week the other two were thoroughly deserved. Borthwick has been working with him to channel his aggression. Much more positive recently. He's a big part of the Bible study group at Tigers so maybe that helps.

Tigers discipline has generally improved a great deal under Borthwick though there is still the occasional game where it goes down the toilet. We were too squeaky clean last weekend, bar Murimurivalu's rush of blood to the head, whilst Sarries quite frankly took the piss on the penalty count. Ref didn't warn them so they carried on. I suspect after that we might play more on the fringe of the law this week. Certainly Big Hanro will take a penalty rather than risk conceding a try which we missed last weekend. Two opensides in the 23 suggests we might well target the breakdown and although Dickson is certainly improving as a ref it can be a lottery.

I hadn't noticed the LI 6:2 bench split until you said. You look a bit short on backs considered who's on the bench so maybe not much choice. Tigers do like a rolling maul and the attack can go a bit blunt if we don't have physical dominance so not a bad call.

Tempted fate with talk of cards Irony being it was a red card for a tackle on Wiese that did for us!

[FKAS]

BT delivered again by not covering this game or for that matter any of the Saturday games P#ss poor.

Our record at Tiggs poor so time for a win of any sort 6-2 bench an indication of where we think this game will be won. Wiese overdue his usual card?

He's been on his best behaviour since picking up a ban for three yellow cards, though one of them was a penalty any other week the other two were thoroughly deserved. Borthwick has been working with him to channel his aggression. Much more positive recently. He's a big part of the Bible study group at Tigers so maybe that helps.

Tigers discipline has generally improved a great deal under Borthwick though there is still the occasional game where it goes down the toilet. We were too squeaky clean last weekend, bar Murimurivalu's rush of blood to the head, whilst Sarries quite frankly took the piss on the penalty count. Ref didn't warn them so they carried on. I suspect after that we might play more on the fringe of the law this week. Certainly Big Hanro will take a penalty rather than risk conceding a try which we missed last weekend. Two opensides in the 23 suggests we might well target the breakdown and although Dickson is certainly improving as a ref it can be a lottery.

I hadn't noticed the LI 6:2 bench split until you said. You look a bit short on backs considered who's on the bench so maybe not much choice. Tigers do like a rolling maul and the attack can go a bit blunt if we don't have physical dominance so not a bad call.

Tempted fate with talk of cards Irony being it was a red card for a tackle on Wiese that did for us!

I don't think Weise got pinged during the game. Channelled his efforts well. There was a couple of shots from Tuisue that were a little bit close to high on him as well. Mixture of his acceleration and tendency to bend forwards slightly as he runs makes him a tough target if you go high.