Wasps vs Tigers team news

Leicester Tigers (v London Wasps, away, Sunday 2.15pm)
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Matt Smith
13 Billy Twelvetrees
12 Anthony Allen
11 Mathew Tait
10 George Ford
9 James Grindal
1 Boris Stankovich
2 George Chuter (c)
3 Kieran Brookes
4 Ed Slater
5 George Skivington
6 Steve Mafi
7 Ben Woods
8 Julian Salvi

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Jonny Harris
18 Peter Bucknall
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Mickey Young
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Niall Morris

Wasps director of rugby Dai Young retains the same starting line-up that beat champions Saracens last weekend. The replacements include former All Black international Ross Filipo and Joe Burton who comes in for Billy Vunipola.

London Wasps
15 Hugo Southwell
14 Tom Varndell
13 Chris Bell
12 Riki Flutey
11 Christian Wade
10 Nicky Robinson
9 Charlie Davies
1 Tim Payne
2 Rob Webber
3 Ben Broster
4 Richard Birkett
5 Marco Wentzel
6 Joe Launchbury
7 Jonathan Poff
8 John Hart (c)

Replacements:
16 Nathan Morris
17 Jeremy Castex
18 Bob Baker
19 Ross Filipo
20 Joe Burton
21 Nic Berry
22 Ryan Davis
23 Richard Haughton

I take it that a number of newbies are being indoctrinated into the 'Tigers way'.

That usually takes several weeks/months.

I think it's more that Kitchener and Young both picked up knocks and so both missed chunks of pre season and so are doing a little bit of catch up. Skivington did confess last season that it took 3 months for him to learn and be confident with every one of Tigers line out calls.

The team looked light years better when Young replaced Grindall - hopefully Cockers gives him more than 9 minutes this time.

Perversly having predicted we would struggle last week, I am confident of a good result vs Wycombe Wasps.

LondonTiger wrote:The team looked light years better when Young replaced Grindall - hopefully Cockers gives him more than 9 minutes this time.

Perversly having predicted we would struggle last week, I am confident of a good result vs Wycombe Wasps.

Oops got that wrong then! Great game played in the right spirit & Dai Young right to not go overboard.

Christian Wade what a potential talent?

Great game for the neutrals I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Superb game to finish off a superb of thrillers.

Didn't see the match, watching the cricket, but it was good to see young English players doing well, especially Wade and Twelvetrees. Good to see George Ford getting game time too, it will be interesting to see what Cockerill does when all his players come back.

Wade and Ford look thrilling.

36 didn't do badly for an old guy.

Twelvetrees the new james hook, quality but damaged by his own versitility.

What happened to the Tigers set piece? Just doesn't exist at the moment.

Skivington has not yet learnt how to scrum - Chuter seems to have forgotten how to throw.

Plus of course a couple of players missing.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:The team looked light years better when Young replaced Grindall - hopefully Cockers gives him more than 9 minutes this time.

Perversly having predicted we would struggle last week, I am confident of a good result vs Wycombe Wasps.

Oops got that wrong then! Great game played in the right spirit & Dai Young right to not go overboard.

Christian Wade what a potential talent?

Ah, but I did not define a "good result"

Was skivington playing? I thought he wasn't back for a month or so...

Fantastic game, and as has been said, played in the right spirit. Same with the fans, with both sets applauding some well crafted tries by both teams.

The game I went on Saturday was equally entertaining - Rosslyn Park v Ealing. Ealing ran out winners 33-17 to keep their winning run going after promotion.

In fact there was heaps more eye catching rugby in both live games I went to than anything the RWC threw up

Yappy you're thinking of Parling, Skivs has been making a mess of the line out for a while. Chuter is struggling in both set pieces and Brookes just isn't up to scratch yet. Tigers currently have 1 of their first choice tight 5 available and that's Chuter and he's the weak link.

Some good stuff from salvi, Ford and twelvetrees. There were definite positives but a whole lot of things to work on. At least with kitchener, parling and farmer white all returning to fitness we should hopefully piece it together soon.

Also have to disagree with the Hook/Twelvetrees comparison re versatility as he has only played 10 and centre for tigers and with Ford now on the scene he will be only playing centre which is his best position.

formerly known as Sam wrote: Tigers currently have 1 of their first choice tight 5 available and that's Chuter and he's the weak link.

.

Sadly I have to agree. He struggled in the second half of last season and I thought that Hawkins may be first choice this year. shame we could not tempt Kayser back.

Kayser has been offered a starting role at Clermont and will be getting a lot more cash. I would like to see Hawkins and Youngs get a chance soon though.