Leicester vs Bristol - Sat 3pm

[Puja]

15 Freddie Steward [50]
14 Chris Ashton [7]
13 Matías Moroni [30]
12 Guy Porter [39]
11 Harry Potter [36]
10 George Ford [123]
9 Ben Youngs [277]
1 Ellis Genge (c) [105]
2 Julián Montoya [23]
3 Dan Cole [284]
4 Harry Wells [150]
5 Calum Green [86]
6 Hanro Liebenberg (vc) [53]
7 Tommy Reffell [72]
8 Jasper Wiese [39]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [47]
17 James Whitcombe [21]
18 Joe Heyes [96]
19 Eli Snyman [19]
20 Olly Robinson [6]
21 Richard Wigglesworth [33]
22 Freddie Burns [97]
23 Nemani Nadolo [32]


Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau (61 apps), 14. Toby Fricker (26 apps), 13. Jack Bates (19 apps), 12. Piers O’Conor (106 apps), 11. Henry Purdy (39 apps), 10. Callum Sheedy (129 apps), 9. Harry Randall (82 apps); 1. Jake Woolmore (105 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (74 apps), 3. John Afoa (85 apps), 4. Joe Joyce (149 apps), 5. Chris Vui (90 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (c) (96 apps), 7. Sam Jeffries (51 apps), 8. Fitz Harding (30 apps).

Replacements: 16. Will Capon (59 apps), 17. Jono Benz-Salomon (4 apps), 18. Jake Armstrong (30 apps), 19. John Hawkins (34 apps), 20. Dan Thomas (107 apps), 21. Andy Uren (132 apps), 22. Ioan Lloyd (59 apps), 23. Alapati Leiua (101 apps).

[Puja]

Big guns back in the team for the home match, with a really strong Leicester side. Montoya has risen from [unspecified - injury information not found] without fanfare and will be a big asset to our end of season. Interesting to see Porter at 12 - not sure I'd've thought of him there, but I can definitely see him doing a job in that role.

Puja

[FKAS]

I think Porter has played at 12 a few times in his early time with us before migrating out to the wing and then back into the the centres. Like it as an idea as he's physical and Scott struggled to provide much protection for Ford last weekend.

Not a fan of the Ashton/Potter wing combination, doesn't give us much penetration. I think we play better with a big winger on one wing.

Still no Henderson and Martin which is a shame. Was hoping we'd get them back for the run in. Heard a rumour MVS has just restarted contact training so could be back for Newcastle in a couple of weeks which would be good.

[fivepointer]

Thought Bris played well last week. They'll need to repeat that and improve upon it to get anything out of the game, I suspect.
I like the look of Fricker (that winning try last week took some scoring), Jefferies is looking the part and Harding goes from strength to strength.
Good test for Bates at centre.
Piutau back is a bonus.

[jimKRFC]

Thought Bris played well last week. They'll need to repeat that and improve upon it to get anything out of the game, I suspect.
I like the look of Fricker (that winning try last week took some scoring), Jefferies is looking the part and Harding goes from strength to strength.
Good test for Bates at centre.
Piutau back is a bonus.

Such a shame Jefferies lost so much time with his injuries.

Hopefully a solid performance to build on last week from Bris. Can't see us upsetting the odds here!

Fingers crossed for no referring controversy (I'm not holding my breath on this).

[FKAS]

Karl Dickson is reffing as well and he doesn't always reward a dominant maul or scrum which is good news for Bristol. Might help them a bit as it's a favourite way for Tigers to turn the screw. Tigers attack might have to be a little more imaginative.

[FKAS]

44-12 early in the second half and Nadolo comes on at 12.

[FKAS]

56-26. Bristol grab a TBP as some consolation. Borthwick will be rather annoyed to concede 4 tries whilst giving Bristol a bit of a going over.

Ashton hat trick inside 25 minutes makes him the top try scorer in Prem history.

[Puja]

56-26. Bristol grab a TBP as some consolation. Borthwick will be rather annoyed to concede 4 tries whilst giving Bristol a bit of a going over.

Ashton hat trick inside 25 minutes makes him the top try scorer in Prem history.

How did Porter get on at 12?

Puja

[FKAS]

56-26. Bristol grab a TBP as some consolation. Borthwick will be rather annoyed to concede 4 tries whilst giving Bristol a bit of a going over.

Ashton hat trick inside 25 minutes makes him the top try scorer in Prem history.

How did Porter get on at 12?

Puja

I was listening on the radio so haven't watched it back yet. Strong carries but made an error for the Bates try. Took treatment on a couple of occasions and came off in the second half. So mixed, might be a doubt for next week.

[Banquo]

Is JVP being held back for play offs or sidelined do the Tigers cognoscenti think?

[francoisfou]

Is JVP being held back for play offs or sidelined do the Tigers cognoscenti think?

I would like to think that he was "rested" for the Bristol match in order to be fit and raring to go against Leinster. Borthers, however, will probably think otherwise and count on his old mate Wigglesworth to see Tigers through to the semi-final against Toulouse.

[Puja]

Is JVP being held back for play offs or sidelined do the Tigers cognoscenti think?

I would like to think that he was "rested" for the Bristol match in order to be fit and raring to go against Leinster. Borthers, however, will probably think otherwise and count on his old mate Wigglesworth to see Tigers through to the semi-final against Toulouse.

JVP was captain and played 70-odd minutes in midweek, so it's unsurprising that he wasn't involved yesterday.

Borthwick's not Eddie Jones; he hasn't got any animus against young exciting talent. If he's good enough, he'll play.

Puja

[FKAS]

Is JVP being held back for play offs or sidelined do the Tigers cognoscenti think?

I would like to think that he was "rested" for the Bristol match in order to be fit and raring to go against Leinster. Borthers, however, will probably think otherwise and count on his old mate Wigglesworth to see Tigers through to the semi-final against Toulouse.

JVP was captain and played 70-odd minutes in midweek, so it's unsurprising that he wasn't involved yesterday.

Borthwick's not Eddie Jones; he hasn't got any animus against young exciting talent. If he's good enough, he'll play.

Puja

In fact the way round Borthwick has done it means our best two scrum halfs have got a food chunk of game time under their belts to get momentum up ready for the Leinster game. I'm waiting to see what Borthwick does re selection as this is a game ripe for a Borthwick odd selection/tactical gamble. Leinster are one of, if not the, top club teams in Europe it'll be a big ask for Tigers to overcome them. I'm almost expecting Borthwick to pack some impact on the bench, try and work Leinster hard for the first 50 and then up the anti. Could mean JVP comes off the bench second half or starts and then makes way early for Youngs depending whether working Leinster hard early means high tempo or tight and attritional.

[Banquo]

Is JVP being held back for play offs or sidelined do the Tigers cognoscenti think?

I would like to think that he was "rested" for the Bristol match in order to be fit and raring to go against Leinster. Borthers, however, will probably think otherwise and count on his old mate Wigglesworth to see Tigers through to the semi-final against Toulouse.

JVP was captain and played 70-odd minutes in midweek, so it's unsurprising that he wasn't involved yesterday.

Borthwick's not Eddie Jones; he hasn't got any animus against young exciting talent. If he's good enough, he'll play.

Puja

I was asking a genuine q, but was surprised to see him play that midweek game to nothing tbh.

As a side note, you seem very protective of old Borthers

[FKAS]

I would like to think that he was "rested" for the Bristol match in order to be fit and raring to go against Leinster. Borthers, however, will probably think otherwise and count on his old mate Wigglesworth to see Tigers through to the semi-final against Toulouse.

JVP was captain and played 70-odd minutes in midweek, so it's unsurprising that he wasn't involved yesterday.

Borthwick's not Eddie Jones; he hasn't got any animus against young exciting talent. If he's good enough, he'll play.

Puja

I was asking a genuine q, but was surprised to see him play that midweek game to nothing tbh.

As a side note, you seem very protective of old Borthers

Well he's taken a side incapable of winning to top of the table and into the quarters of the European Championship. At the same time he's helped develop a plethora of young EQ talent. The Tigers fans have developed a saying "In Borthwick We Trust" or IBWT. He's done a cracking job. As an aside JVP has appeared in 24 games this season and started half of those, at 20 that's a good base of experience he's building up.

[Puja]

I would like to think that he was "rested" for the Bristol match in order to be fit and raring to go against Leinster. Borthers, however, will probably think otherwise and count on his old mate Wigglesworth to see Tigers through to the semi-final against Toulouse.

JVP was captain and played 70-odd minutes in midweek, so it's unsurprising that he wasn't involved yesterday.

Borthwick's not Eddie Jones; he hasn't got any animus against young exciting talent. If he's good enough, he'll play.

Puja

I was asking a genuine q, but was surprised to see him play that midweek game to nothing tbh.

As a side note, you seem very protective of old Borthers

As FKAS said - before Borthers, it was being less than the sum of our parts and players like Lavanini stealing a paycheque while we languished at the bottom and failed to develop any of our young talent. After Borthers, it's been constant improvement, leading to an unbeaten home season, clear at the top of the table and into the quarters of the ERC. A load of young and unheralded players have kicked on under him and, every time he's made a weird selection decision or signing decision that we've questioned, he's almost always been proven right. He could steal my car and wrap it around a lamppost, and I'd probably give him the benefit of the doubt and argue that it was probably for the best somehow.

He has been captain of that side all the way through the cup, so even though we'd run out of available forwards for that game, it'd be a bit harsh to yank him in the semi-final. Plus, it wasn't really a game to nothing until Irish named half their first XV to compound our woes.

Puja

[Banquo]

Lol. The least surprising replies of the season

Haven’t answered the question on JVP though- at the pointy end who gets the nod

[Puja]

Lol. The least surprising replies of the season

Haven’t answered the question on JVP though- at the pointy end who gets the nod

I suspect, given the selections so far, that it's Youngs start with JVP on the bench for a crunch match, but I wouldn't be overly surprised by any combination of the three - they've all been good in their own ways. Plus Borthwick seems to like picking horses for courses, so I'd imagine it's less about the pointy end and who we're playing at the pointy end.

Puja

[Banquo]

Lol. The least surprising replies of the season

Haven’t answered the question on JVP though- at the pointy end who gets the nod

I suspect, given the selections so far, that it's Youngs start with JVP on the bench for a crunch match, but I wouldn't be overly surprised by any combination of the three - they've all been good in their own ways. Plus Borthwick seems to like picking horses for courses, so I'd imagine it's less about the pointy end and who we're playing at the pointy end.

Puja

Good pointys well made. St Steve will speak, and it shall be so.

On a serious note, as before, Borthers has done a bang up job, better than I thought he’d be able to do (or many others- tough legacy and gig)

[FKAS]

The club appointing Aled Walters was a masterstroke and gave Borthwick a fantastic lieutenant. Borthers choice to bring in Sinfield completed the backroom team and added gravitas. I can't imagine the three of them shout that much but when they speak people listen. There's a real concern that England will come calling, Pinchen has already said Tigers will fight all approaches bar England and Borthwick's name must be on the shortlist. Walters is unlikely to follow as a proud Welshman but if Sinfield were to go as well that would be two huge blows. The rest of the coaching set up is pretty green.

[Puja]

The club appointing Aled Walters was a masterstroke and gave Borthwick a fantastic lieutenant. Borthers choice to bring in Sinfield completed the backroom team and added gravitas. I can't imagine the three of them shout that much but when they speak people listen. There's a real concern that England will come calling, Pinchen has already said Tigers will fight all approaches bar England and Borthwick's name must be on the shortlist. Walters is unlikely to follow as a proud Welshman but if Sinfield were to go as well that would be two huge blows. The rest of the coaching set up is pretty green.

I'm resigned to losing him in 2023. Unless he has a massive implosion next season, there's no way he's not the next England coach.

Hopefully Brett Deacon is learning everything he can to take over and be the continuity appointment.

Puja

[Danno]

The club appointing Aled Walters was a masterstroke and gave Borthwick a fantastic lieutenant. Borthers choice to bring in Sinfield completed the backroom team and added gravitas. I can't imagine the three of them shout that much but when they speak people listen. There's a real concern that England will come calling, Pinchen has already said Tigers will fight all approaches bar England and Borthwick's name must be on the shortlist. Walters is unlikely to follow as a proud Welshman but if Sinfield were to go as well that would be two huge blows. The rest of the coaching set up is pretty green.

I'm resigned to losing him in 2023. Unless he has a massive implosion next season, there's no way he's not the next England coach.

Hopefully Brett Deacon is learning everything he can to take over and be the continuity appointment.

Puja

But with a renewed, successful Tigers you'll be able to attract almost anyone you want. Maybe Mike Ford.

[Mellsblue]

The club appointing Aled Walters was a masterstroke and gave Borthwick a fantastic lieutenant. Borthers choice to bring in Sinfield completed the backroom team and added gravitas. I can't imagine the three of them shout that much but when they speak people listen. There's a real concern that England will come calling, Pinchen has already said Tigers will fight all approaches bar England and Borthwick's name must be on the shortlist. Walters is unlikely to follow as a proud Welshman but if Sinfield were to go as well that would be two huge blows. The rest of the coaching set up is pretty green.

I'm resigned to losing him in 2023. Unless he has a massive implosion next season, there's no way he's not the next England coach.

Hopefully Brett Deacon is learning everything he can to take over and be the continuity appointment.

Puja

But with a renewed, successful Tigers you'll be able to attract almost anyone you want. Maybe Mike Ford.

He’ll be an assistant coach at Sale in 2023/24 and head coach by 2024/25.

[FKAS]

I suspect we probably will lose Borthwick in 2023, the only issue is that the RFU will want him in post before the World Cup presumably for the 6N period so there may be some friction there as I can't see Borthwick wanting to leave mid season and Tigers not wanting a chunk of cash if he leaves before the end of his contract in the summer of 2023. The only think that might count against Borthwick is that he's only been in the top job a short amount of time.

Sinfield would then be the obvious choice as the next head coach as long as we can keep hold of him and the RFU don't come calling. Louis Deacon could return to work alongside his brother and sort the forwards out if we wanted more in that area, he seems to have done good work at Coventry previously and England Women currently.