Leicester vs Northampton

[Puja]

Leicester: Olowofela; Aspland-Robinson, Tuilagi, Eastmond, May; Ford, Harrison; Genge, Youngs (capt), Cole, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, O'Connor, Thompson.

Replacements: Kerr, Gigena, Heyes, Wells, Fitzgerald, White, Toomua, Owen.

Northampton: Tuala; Collins, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Van Wyk, Fish, Hill, Moon, Ratuniyarawa, Gibson, Brussow, Harrison (capt).

Replacements: Marshall, Waller, Franks, Craig, Wood, Mitchell, Kellaway, Furbank.

[Puja]

Must-win for Tigers this if we want Europe next year (which really is the absolute minimum requirement). Although you could say that about the majority of our last 6 games.

Buoyed by a lot of returnees, both from injury and internationals. We actually have fit scrum-halves! And the ability to make choices in the backline! And props who aren't either fresh out of school or utterly rubbish! Much, much better.

Puja

[Stom]

Having Han Solo back helps

[Mikey Brown]

That's a great looking backline.

I've fallen for that before though.

[fivepointer]

Been impressed with Saints progress this season. They are generally playing a very attractive and effective style of rugby. A little more consistency and things will really start looking up.
T Harrison's time as an international is probably over but he's an infinitely better player now than when he was capped and has been one of the form players this season.

[Puja]

Leicester: Olowofela; Aspland-Robinson, Tuilagi, Eastmond, May; Ford, Harrison; Genge, Youngs (capt), Cole, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, O'Connor, Thompson.

Replacements: Kerr, Gigena, Heyes, Wells, Fitzgerald, White, Toomua, Owen.

Just wanted to compare that with the lineup from a fortnight ago against Sale:

Leicester: Holmes; Sarto, Aspland-Robinson, Eastmond, Olowofela; J Ford, Simmons; Gigena, T Youngs (capt), Heyes, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, Thompson, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Kerr, Ma'afu, Feao, Wells, Evans, Lewis, Hardwick, Steward.

Starts off okayish in the backline until you realise that that is literally all of the available senior three quarters at the club in the starting XV. The bench backs are a senior academy lad and a literal schoolboy... and no reserve scrum half. Simmons is back from 6 months out and our reserve for him is Jonah Holmes who played there in his academy days. Having White, Toomua, and Owen is a slight upgrade.

In the forwards, the gap between Gigena/Heyes and Genge/Cole is ridiculous and that's not even counting that the former means that Ma'afu is in the XXIII. In retrospect, we did well to keep Sale as close as we did.

Puja

[Stom]

Leicester: Olowofela; Aspland-Robinson, Tuilagi, Eastmond, May; Ford, Harrison; Genge, Youngs (capt), Cole, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, O'Connor, Thompson.

Replacements: Kerr, Gigena, Heyes, Wells, Fitzgerald, White, Toomua, Owen.

Just wanted to compare that with the lineup from a fortnight ago against Sale:

Leicester: Holmes; Sarto, Aspland-Robinson, Eastmond, Olowofela; J Ford, Simmons; Gigena, T Youngs (capt), Heyes, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, Thompson, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Kerr, Ma'afu, Feao, Wells, Evans, Lewis, Hardwick, Steward.

Starts off okayish in the backline until you realise that that is literally all of the available senior three quarters at the club in the starting XV. The bench backs are a senior academy lad and a literal schoolboy... and no reserve scrum half. Simmons is back from 6 months out and our reserve for him is Jonah Holmes who played there in his academy days. Having White, Toomua, and Owen is a slight upgrade.

In the forwards, the gap between Gigena/Heyes and Genge/Cole is ridiculous and that's not even counting that the former means that Ma'afu is in the XXIII. In retrospect, we did well to keep Sale as close as we did.

Puja

Yet the biggest difference between those two teams is swapping the J for a G. Joe is a frankly embarrassingly poor FH compared to his brother...

[Banquo]

Leicester: Olowofela; Aspland-Robinson, Tuilagi, Eastmond, May; Ford, Harrison; Genge, Youngs (capt), Cole, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, O'Connor, Thompson.

Replacements: Kerr, Gigena, Heyes, Wells, Fitzgerald, White, Toomua, Owen.

Just wanted to compare that with the lineup from a fortnight ago against Sale:

Leicester: Holmes; Sarto, Aspland-Robinson, Eastmond, Olowofela; J Ford, Simmons; Gigena, T Youngs (capt), Heyes, Spencer, Kitchener, Williams, Thompson, Kalamafoni.

Replacements: Kerr, Ma'afu, Feao, Wells, Evans, Lewis, Hardwick, Steward.

Starts off okayish in the backline until you realise that that is literally all of the available senior three quarters at the club in the starting XV. The bench backs are a senior academy lad and a literal schoolboy... and no reserve scrum half. Simmons is back from 6 months out and our reserve for him is Jonah Holmes who played there in his academy days. Having White, Toomua, and Owen is a slight upgrade.

In the forwards, the gap between Gigena/Heyes and Genge/Cole is ridiculous and that's not even counting that the former means that Ma'afu is in the XXIII. In retrospect, we did well to keep Sale as close as we did.

Puja

Yet the biggest difference between those two teams is swapping the J for a G. Joe is a frankly embarrassingly poor FH compared to his brother...

MOTM when they beat Wasps with no scrum halves last but one game in the GP. He really was very good that day,

[Scrumhead]

Selfishly, it’s giving more of a dilemma from a fantasy rugby POV ... do I spend money on Genge or Ford?

[Adam_P]

Not sure how to call this one. Tigers have the better scrum and power game with their big carriers, but lately Saints have the more dynamic attacking game and are playing with confidence. If we can get the best out of Naiyaravoro I think we have a chance, if he goes missing completely maybe not.

Bit miffed that Furbank isn't starting at 15, he has been brilliant recently. Good to see Kellaway get a chance though. Also shame Ludlam isn't involved because his tenacity would be an asset in a derby game, but understand he needs a rest.

[Scrumhead]

I think this could be a cracking game. Looking forward to it!

[Adam_P]

Quality try from Saints. Very fortunate with that knock on call though...

[Adam_P]

But now Barnes has given a knock on against us when it wasn't. Call it even

[Adam_P]

Reinach is having a brilliant game

[Stom]

God, Mike Williams is atrocious, isn't he... Just no brain whatsoever.

[Adam_P]

Another lovely try for Saints, Hutchinson is spotting gaps all over the place

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Reinach has been awesome and Francis and Hutchinson look really dangerous.

[Adam_P]

Hutchinson is such a complete player at centre, and his decision making for a young guy is really very good

[Scrumhead]

Yep. Surely a World Cup bolter for the Jocks?

[Adam_P]

Yeah I think they'd be missing a trick not to include him.

Very positive first 40 for Saints, playing some lovely rugby and running Tigers big pack all over the place

[Timbo]

Saints are the best team to watch in the country.

Boyd would be on my shortlist for England when Eddie goes, and Vesty would be up there as attack coach too.

[Adam_P]

Saints are the best team to watch in the country.

Boyd would be on my shortlist for England when Eddie goes, and Vesty would be up there as attack coach too.

England can stay away - we've not even had our coaches for a season yet!

[Scrumhead]

Yeah I think they'd be missing a trick not to include him.

Very positive first 40 for Saints, playing some lovely rugby and running Tigers big pack all over the place

Well when Huw Jones has either been in poor form or injured and the alternative is Chris Harris, Hutchinson is surely worth a punt.

Saints are playing some very nice rugby at the moment. I know Francis isn’t universally popular, but I think they look a lot better when he’s playing at 12.

[Tigersman]

Got to say I think Tigers could do with getting relegated.

Really don't think the people who need getting rid of will go unless that happens now.

[Adam_P]

I agree, and I also think England would probably be improved with having Francis at 12 between Ford and Manu