Saracens vs Leicester

[Puja]

FORWARDS: Richard Barrington (156), Christopher Tolofua (30), Vincent Koch (54), Dom Day (26), Nick Isiekwe (50), Calum Clark (31), Ben Earl (31), Jackson Wray (214).

BACKS: Matt Gallagher (26), David Strettle (146), Alex Lozowski (78), Brad Barritt (237), Alex Lewington (18), Alex Goode (279), Richard Wigglesworth (224).

REPLACEMENTS: Tom Woolstencroft (13), Ralph Adams-Hale (5), Titi Lamositele (64), Will Skelton (47), Mike Rhodes (84), Ben Spencer (144), Max Malins (22), Nick Tompkins (87).



Leicester Tigers (v Saracens, away, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 George Worth
14 Jonah Holmes
13 Gareth Owen
12 Kyle Eastmond
11 Tom Varndell
10 Matt Toomua
9 Ben White

1 Greg Bateman
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Mike Williams
7 Brendon O’Connor
8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Jake Kerr
17 Facundo Gigena
18 Joe Heyes
19 Will Evans
20 Harry Wells
21 Sam Harrison
22 Tom Hardwick
23 Sam Aspland-Robinson

[Puja]

Having Youngs back is massive for us. That team could be a lot worse, although I'm still intimidated by what Saracens can put out even without their internationals.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Tom Varndell?? Quite a blast from the past.
Got to favour Saracens here. Both sides heavily depleted but Saracens seem to cope with this kind of disruption far better than most other sides.

[Tigersman]

Tom Varndell v David Strettle in 2019 prem for Leicester and Saracens is not something I would've guessed in 2017/18 season.

[Beasties]

So is Loz never being selected at FH ever again?

[padprop]

So is Loz never being selected at FH ever again?

Or Malins above Goode. Surely for long term planning or even in the immediate future it would be better to get one of those two game time over Goode at 10.

[Banquo]

So is Loz never being selected at FH ever again?

Or Malins above Goode. Surely for long term planning or even in the immediate future it would be better to get one of those two game time over Goode at 10.

Malins is off as I understand it

[Digby]

As is so often the case I wonder what Leicester don't like about Will Evans

[Tigersman]

As is so often the case I wonder what Leicester don't like about Will Evans

Before it’s mainly been about injuries or illness.

Now prob becuase he’s signed for Quins maybe.

TBF BOC is a good 7 especially at prem level, he wins more turnovers than Evans generally.

[Puja]

So is Loz never being selected at FH ever again?

Or Malins above Goode. Surely for long term planning or even in the immediate future it would be better to get one of those two game time over Goode at 10.

Malins is off as I understand it

That is good news for England. He is *such* a talented player and too good to be permanently stuck behind Farrell. Do you know where he's going? He'd thrive at Bath, or as Gloucester's Cipriani replacement.

Puja

[Banquo]

Or Malins above Goode. Surely for long term planning or even in the immediate future it would be better to get one of those two game time over Goode at 10.

Malins is off as I understand it

That is good news for England. He is *such* a talented player and too good to be permanently stuck behind Farrell. Do you know where he's going? He'd thrive at Bath, or as Gloucester's Cipriani replacement.

Puja

Chiefs I heard.

[Scrumhead]

Makes sense to a point - Steenson can’t have too much left in the tank.

I’d have loved him at Quins. I think he’s a better player than Smith.

[Puja]

Malins is off as I understand it

That is good news for England. He is *such* a talented player and too good to be permanently stuck behind Farrell. Do you know where he's going? He'd thrive at Bath, or as Gloucester's Cipriani replacement.

Puja

Chiefs I heard.

A *very* good move for England then. He'll thrive there.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Wasnt aware Malins was going to Exeter. Might be a good move but Steenson still has something to offer and Simmonds will be in the mix for the 10 shirt.

[Mellsblue]

Is he definitely going as a 10 and not a 15?

[Digby]

He's more like to usurp Simmomds than Hogg

[Mellsblue]

True but Hogg won’t be there for large periods of the season.

[Banquo]

He's more like to usurp Simmomds than Hogg

That's why I was a bit dubious when I heard the rumour- I like the look of Simmonds at 10.

[Tigersman]

Pretty sure Malins is staying at Sarries at least till end of next season

[Banquo]

Pretty sure Malins is staying at Sarries at least till end of next season

Not according to my source, but it was only a rumour, started the same time as Daly to Sarries.

[Tigersman]

I guess we will find out soon enough.

He signed a 2 year deal in Oct 2017 for Saracens, and I can't see them letting him go for a RWC year when they will be missing, Farrell and Daly for the start of season.

[Banquo]

I guess we will find out soon enough.

He signed a 2 year deal in Oct 2017 for Saracens, and I can't see them letting him go for a RWC year when they will be missing, Farrell and Daly for the start of season.

Yep fair enough, but he has stalled a bit imo

[Tigersman]

He has stalled somewhat.
But not like Baxter has worked wonders on Simmonds either.

[Banquo]

He has stalled somewhat.
But not like Baxter has worked wonders on Simmonds either.

he only made his full debut 11 months ago, but a shame he hasnt forced his way past Steenson

[Tigersman]

He has stalled somewhat.
But not like Baxter has worked wonders on Simmonds either.

he only made his full debut 11 months ago, but a shame he hasnt forced his way past Steenson

Maybe but he is still older than Malins