Exe vs Leicester saturday - 2pm

[twitchy]

[Tigersman]

Exeter going to be testing that back 3 all day long.

[Puja]

Meet the new boss, same f*cking lock in the back row as the old boss! What makes that even more bizarre is that we've got three back rows and no lock on the bench!

This really does feel like an imminent murdering, looking at the quality differences between those two sides. The only hope is of Borthwick having worked miracles, but I suspect this is more of an acceptance that we're due to be murdered by Exeter regardless and keeping our powder dry for winnable games later.

Nice to see Maunder's got the early nod ahead of SHC.

Puja

[fivepointer]

3 back rowers on the Tigers bench with a SH and a debutant to cover the rest of the backs.

Leicester have to start somewhere and this is a horribly difficult game to come back into.

Exeter really do look powerful. Only one new starter but i cant see Gray being anything other than a big hit. Jack Maunder, now is your chance.

[Epaminondas Pules]

We are taking a beating I fear. The pack is OK, good in parts and the backline looks like relegation fodder. Luckily the bench has capability to change the game........oh.

[Tigersman]

Meet the new boss, same f*cking lock in the back row as the old boss! What makes that even more bizarre is that we've got three back rows and no lock on the bench!

This really does feel like an imminent murdering, looking at the quality differences between those two sides. The only hope is of Borthwick having worked miracles, but I suspect this is more of an acceptance that we're due to be murdered by Exeter regardless and keeping our powder dry for winnable games later.

Nice to see Maunder's got the early nod ahead of SHC.

Puja

Not like Eddie didn't use locks at 6 I guess.
Liebenberg played lock for Stade so I guess he provides some cover.

Shame that 6 or so players are still waiting on visas or completing self isolation.
Glad Smith looks like he has impressed enough to get a bench spot

[FKAS]

I can see this game putting a damper on my weekend.

Why we have Wells at 6 when our first choice blindside is on the bench is the number 1 question. Where most of our backline is, is the other question.

Against Chiefs earlier in the season we were in the game for most of it but fell away in the second half, aided by the TMO. I can only presume we intend to keep it tight and make Chiefs work hard in the first half before moving to a fresher more mobile pack as the game breaks up. A lack of Leatigaga, Kerr, Heyes, Lavanini, Liebenburg, Smith, Wallace, Taufua should be pretty good ball in hand and cover the ground well going into the last 20.

However, that Chiefs team looks immense and I'm unsure we'll keep it close until the second half. That pack could probably start an international test it's that well rounded. Only think you could say is that it isn't the most mobile and there's no natural fetcher. Hopefully Taufua and Reffell can swing the backrow battle in our favour.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I can see this game putting a damper on my weekend.

Why we have Wells at 6 when our first choice blindside is on the bench is the number 1 question. Where most of our backline is, is the other question.

Against Chiefs earlier in the season we were in the game for most of it but fell away in the second half, aided by the TMO. I can only presume we intend to keep it tight and make Chiefs work hard in the first half before moving to a fresher more mobile pack as the game breaks up. A lack of Leatigaga, Kerr, Heyes, Lavanini, Liebenburg, Smith, Wallace, Taufua should be pretty good ball in hand and cover the ground well going into the last 20.

However, that Chiefs team looks immense and I'm unsure we'll keep it close until the second half. That pack could probably start an international test it's that well rounded. Only think you could say is that it isn't the most mobile and there's no natural fetcher. Hopefully Taufua and Reffell can swing the backrow battle in our favour.

They do compensate with Cowan-Dickie for the lack of fetcher in the backrow.

Really cannot see us living with them up front or behind. We'll be competitive up front, but they just look better than us as a whole.

[Epaminondas Pules]

And I really don't get why we have only two backs on the bench.

[FKAS]

LCD is good over the ball and to be fair Johnny Hill is a real pest at maul and ruck. On a side note I'd happily select Johnny Hill over Ewels for England really unsure why he doesn't get a shot.

I'm guessing the 6/2 backs split is a mix of us not having Moroni, van Wyk, Nadolo and Murimurivalu available with Aspland-Robinson still injured and the coaches feeling Porter and Pitter need more time to bed in. I thought we might have had Steward on the bench though. I presume the coaches think it'll be won or lost up front and us being able to utilise a nearly completely fresh pack for the last quarter might give us some kind of edge.

[Epaminondas Pules]

LCD is good over the ball and to be fair Johnny Hill is a real pest at maul and ruck. On a side note I'd happily select Johnny Hill over Ewels for England really unsure why he doesn't get a shot.

I'm guessing the 6/2 backs split is a mix of us not having Moroni, van Wyk, Nadolo and Murimurivalu available with Aspland-Robinson still injured and the coaches feeling Porter and Pitter need more time to bed in. I thought we might have had Steward on the bench though. I presume the coaches think it'll be won or lost up front and us being able to utilise a nearly completely fresh pack for the last quarter might give us some kind of edge.

Me too. Maybe just hoping.

Trouble is their bench forwards would trouble our starters and we only have one more than them. Our bench just looks like just throwing some forwards at it without knowing what it is. That said I'm really pleased to see Smith maybe get on the pitch.

Lost opportunity not to let Steward get some time. Nothing to lose against a team that would likely take us apart even at full strength. 6 forwards on the bench just makes me die a little inside.

[Banquo]

I can see this game putting a damper on my weekend.

Why we have Wells at 6 when our first choice blindside is on the bench is the number 1 question. Where most of our backline is, is the other question.

Against Chiefs earlier in the season we were in the game for most of it but fell away in the second half, aided by the TMO. I can only presume we intend to keep it tight and make Chiefs work hard in the first half before moving to a fresher more mobile pack as the game breaks up. A lack of Leatigaga, Kerr, Heyes, Lavanini, Liebenburg, Smith, Wallace, Taufua should be pretty good ball in hand and cover the ground well going into the last 20.

However, that Chiefs team looks immense and I'm unsure we'll keep it close until the second half. That pack could probably start an international test it's that well rounded. Only think you could say is that it isn't the most mobile and there's no natural fetcher. Hopefully Taufua and Reffell can swing the backrow battle in our favour.

They do compensate with Cowan-Dickie for the lack of fetcher in the backrow.

Really cannot see us living with them up front or behind. We'll be competitive up front, but they just look better than us as a whole.

Sam Simmonds is also excellent over the ball.

[Timbo]

First game back and no fans, so all these fixtures could be a bit of a lottery. But all things being equal these teams are a complete mismatch.

[Scrumhead]

It might be a lack of fit personnel, but actually, I think we’ll see a lot of 6/2 benches.

Quins have done the same and I think it’s probably for the same reason. Chiefs and Sale play a power game up front and maybe the extra forward is intended to help cope with that across the 80?

[Banquo]

It might be a lack of fit personnel, but actually, I think we’ll see a lot of 6/2 benches.

Quins have done the same and I think it’s probably for the same reason. Chiefs and Sale play a power game up front and maybe the extra forward is intended to help cope with that across the 80?

Can always tell who is a forward when 6/2 gets discussed

[Mr Mwenda]

This is on channel 5, right? It's only free to air game?

[Banquo]

LCD is good over the ball and to be fair Johnny Hill is a real pest at maul and ruck. On a side note I'd happily select Johnny Hill over Ewels for England really unsure why he doesn't get a shot.

I'm guessing the 6/2 backs split is a mix of us not having Moroni, van Wyk, Nadolo and Murimurivalu available with Aspland-Robinson still injured and the coaches feeling Porter and Pitter need more time to bed in. I thought we might have had Steward on the bench though. I presume the coaches think it'll be won or lost up front and us being able to utilise a nearly completely fresh pack for the last quarter might give us some kind of edge.

Me too. Maybe just hoping.

Trouble is their bench forwards would trouble our starters and we only have one more than them. Our bench just looks like just throwing some forwards at it without knowing what it is. That said I'm really pleased to see Smith maybe get on the pitch.

Lost opportunity not to let Steward get some time. Nothing to lose against a team that would likely take us apart even at full strength. 6 forwards on the bench just makes me die a little inside.

In general or for Tigers squad? I agree, in general

[Which Tyler]

It might be a lack of fit personnel, but actually, I think we’ll see a lot of 6/2 benches.

Quins have done the same and I think it’s probably for the same reason. Chiefs and Sale play a power game up front and maybe the extra forward is intended to help cope with that across the 80?

Not just the 80 minutes, but also the next few months.
Squad rotation is going to be really key at the moment, and it just makes sense to rotate the forwards more than the backs, they're simply more attritional positions.

[Epaminondas Pules]

LCD is good over the ball and to be fair Johnny Hill is a real pest at maul and ruck. On a side note I'd happily select Johnny Hill over Ewels for England really unsure why he doesn't get a shot.

I'm guessing the 6/2 backs split is a mix of us not having Moroni, van Wyk, Nadolo and Murimurivalu available with Aspland-Robinson still injured and the coaches feeling Porter and Pitter need more time to bed in. I thought we might have had Steward on the bench though. I presume the coaches think it'll be won or lost up front and us being able to utilise a nearly completely fresh pack for the last quarter might give us some kind of edge.

Me too. Maybe just hoping.

Trouble is their bench forwards would trouble our starters and we only have one more than them. Our bench just looks like just throwing some forwards at it without knowing what it is. That said I'm really pleased to see Smith maybe get on the pitch.

Lost opportunity not to let Steward get some time. Nothing to lose against a team that would likely take us apart even at full strength. 6 forwards on the bench just makes me die a little inside.

In general or for Tigers squad? I agree, in general

To be honest, both mate. Give Steward some game time. Why not? What’s another average forward going to do to a game where the opposition are superior in every facet?

Mind our whole squad makes me die a little inside. I’m really struggling to get excited. We look like what we are, a bottom 6 club.

[Epaminondas Pules]

We’ve lost three X factor backs and brought in a couple of X factor backs in their thirties. And lost two EQP in that equation.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Who knows we might play Steward next week and I’ll glad shut up. But we can’t waste talent like that. I like Worth but he’s average prem talent at best.

[Banquo]

Me too. Maybe just hoping.

Trouble is their bench forwards would trouble our starters and we only have one more than them. Our bench just looks like just throwing some forwards at it without knowing what it is. That said I'm really pleased to see Smith maybe get on the pitch.

Lost opportunity not to let Steward get some time. Nothing to lose against a team that would likely take us apart even at full strength. 6 forwards on the bench just makes me die a little inside.

In general or for Tigers squad? I agree, in general

To be honest, both mate. Give Steward some game time. Why not? What’s another average forward going to do to a game where the opposition are superior in every facet?

Mind our whole squad makes me die a little inside. I’m really struggling to get excited. We look like what we are, a bottom 6 club.

Agreed on all fronts.

[Scrumhead]

It might be a lack of fit personnel, but actually, I think we’ll see a lot of 6/2 benches.

Quins have done the same and I think it’s probably for the same reason. Chiefs and Sale play a power game up front and maybe the extra forward is intended to help cope with that across the 80?

Can always tell who is a forward when 6/2 gets discussed

I didn’t know it was so obvious ... although in fairness I’ve played on the wing a fair bit too.

I wouldn’t generally favour a 6/2 split, but as Which said, I think we’ll see a lot of it over the next few months.

[Epaminondas Pules]

It might be a lack of fit personnel, but actually, I think we’ll see a lot of 6/2 benches.

Quins have done the same and I think it’s probably for the same reason. Chiefs and Sale play a power game up front and maybe the extra forward is intended to help cope with that across the 80?

Can always tell who is a forward when 6/2 gets discussed

I didn’t know it was so obvious ... although in fairness I’ve played on the wing a fair bit too.

I wouldn’t generally favour a 6/2 split, but as Which said, I think we’ll see a lot of it over the next few months.

You are Tom Croft and I claim my five pounds!

[Tigersman]

It's pretty obvious IMO why Steward wouldn't be in contention for this week.
Exeter have a excellent kicking game.

If Steward was at 15 the back 3 would be
11. Williams
14. Olowofela
15. Steward

That's an extremely inexperienced back 3.
Now worth isn't that experienced but has has nearly double the amount of Tigers appearances than those 3 combined.

Murphy made the point multiple times of trying to get these youngster involved with senior players around them as opposed to just chucking them in the deep end and hope they can swim. Now if Nadolo and/or Murimurivalu was around I would agree Steward should start.

But away at Exeter with 2 inexperienced wingers isn't really the place too have your second Tigers appearance.