Leicester vs Bath

[Tigersman]

Okay compare the backline
Games last season
9 Cook (21)
10 Preistland (21)
11 Banners (18)
12 Clark (17)
13 JJ (17)
14 Roko (26)
15 Watson (14)
Total: 134 caps for bath last season.

Games last season for Tigers
9) Youngs (20)
10) Ford (0)
11) Malouf (0)
12) Toomua (2)
13) Manu (7)
14) May (0)
15) Veainu (14)
43 caps for Tigers last season.

I mean MOC isn't a mircle worker, he only had Ford, May and Manu fit for the final preseason.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm not the best theorist when it comes to rugby tactics. Basically, despite some classy individuals against them in one or two positions, it seemed to me that Bath outplayed Leicester in every unit.

After about 20 minutes Tuilagi butchered a chance that Joseph would have taken 9 times out of 10 (whether individually or in terms of team contribution). Cook outplayed Youngs by some distance. Those two examples were a bit of a litmus test, IMO. Nobody would rate Priestland above Ford but Bath just gave their 10 a platform to be effective. Ford was trying to force plays unnaturally and, no matter how much he apeared to sparkle, he was the less effective FH.

Add on the horrendous Leicester line-out and I'm left wondering how good their head coach is.

Why would a head coach be responsible for the lineout?

[Puja]

I'm not the best theorist when it comes to rugby tactics. Basically, despite some classy individuals against them in one or two positions, it seemed to me that Bath outplayed Leicester in every unit.

After about 20 minutes Tuilagi butchered a chance that Joseph would have taken 9 times out of 10 (whether individually or in terms of team contribution). Cook outplayed Youngs by some distance. Those two examples were a bit of a litmus test, IMO. Nobody would rate Priestland above Ford but Bath just gave their 10 a platform to be effective. Ford was trying to force plays unnaturally and, no matter how much he apeared to sparkle, he was the less effective FH.

Add on the horrendous Leicester line-out and I'm left wondering how good their head coach is.

While I'm not convinced that our pre-season was the best it could be in terms of building team unity, this was only the first game, with a side that had been completely rebuilt from last season. I think I'm willing to give it a few more games before questioning the coaching staff!

Puja

[bitts]

All I 'learnt' from this match is: if Tigers keep their backline fit, Give them enough time to gel, and the pack gives them enough ball; then they could be pretty handy.

[Oakboy]

I'm not the best theorist when it comes to rugby tactics. Basically, despite some classy individuals against them in one or two positions, it seemed to me that Bath outplayed Leicester in every unit.

After about 20 minutes Tuilagi butchered a chance that Joseph would have taken 9 times out of 10 (whether individually or in terms of team contribution). Cook outplayed Youngs by some distance. Those two examples were a bit of a litmus test, IMO. Nobody would rate Priestland above Ford but Bath just gave their 10 a platform to be effective. Ford was trying to force plays unnaturally and, no matter how much he apeared to sparkle, he was the less effective FH.

Add on the horrendous Leicester line-out and I'm left wondering how good their head coach is.

Why would a head coach be responsible for the lineout?

Why would he not be? He might not coach it himself but any head coach surely has to ensure quality set-piece ball or make coaching changes. Poor preparation is down to one man, IMO.

[fivepointer]

The HC ultimately caries the can, though MOC would delegate various facets of play to his assistant coaches. The Leicester l/o is usually quite secure so not quite sure what went awry yesterday.
Their backs will improve when they get to play more together. I think its the forwards who might be the weaker element.

[Banquo]

Odd game; came down to finishing, in truth.

[twitchy]

I think people are being a bit harsh on the tigers. They clearly looked rusty and disjointed but showed glimpses of what is possible. If any thing it's the pack that looks a pretty average despite a couple of good individuals.

[Digby]

Problems do seem to be in the pack, the front row looks okay and their best unit in the pack, the locks mayn't be Kruis and Itoje but they're pretty good, the backrow, well I can't see Wasps, Exeter or Sarries being remotely jealous of the Leicester back row, frankly Sale must figure they've better back row options.

[Digby]

Has MOC put on weight, or was he always that fat?

The AP as a whole has a few chunkier coaches than one often sees in sport. It mayn't be a massive thing, but I do wonder if they're sometimes to be found telling players about standards and some of the players aren't looking at the like of Young, MOC, Richards, Gold and Kingston and thinking who are you to tell me anything you fat <bleep>

Probably if the boss wasn't fat players would only insert another adjective before the colourful metaphor of choice so maybe it makes no odds.

[Tigersman]

He's always been a chunky monkey MOC.

[kk67]

George Ford and Toomua are playing like they've never met before.
Puja

How do I bookmark stuff..?