Tigers vs Falcons

Geordan Murphy captains Leicester Tigers in his 300th first-team game for the club in Saturday's Aviva Premiership Rugby Round 16 fixture against Newcastle Falcons at Welford Road (3pm).Full-back Murphy made his Tigers debut as a teenager in November 1997 and has played in seven Premiership-winning squads as well as four finals of Europe's Heineken Cup with the club. He has also gained 72 caps for Ireland and played in two Tests with the British & Irish Lions.
Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "Reaching 300 games for the club is an excellent achievement and Geordan will go down in the list of Leicester Tigers all-time greats.

"He is a world-class player, an outstanding player and captain, and he has shown great loyalty to Leicester over the years.

"I'm sure he'll receive a great reception from the supporters this weekend and he thoroughly deserves it."

Tigers start with George Ford at fly-half, Matt Smith partners Billy Twelvetrees at centre, and Scott Hamilton is recalled on the wing. Samoan prop Logoviii Mulipola continues in the front row and Julian White returns to the matchday squad.

Leicester Tigers (v Newcastle Falcons, Welford Road, Saturday 3pm)
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Horacio Agulla
13 Matt Smith
12 Billy Twelvetrees
11 Scott Hamilton
10 George Ford
9 James Grindal
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Logoviii Mulipola
4 Ed Slater
5 George Skivington
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Julian White
19 Graham Kitchener
20 Craig Newby
21 Scott Steele
22 Jeremy Staunton
23 Niall Morris

Newcastle Falcons: 15 Greg Goosen, 14 Tom Bedford, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 James Fitzpatrick, 11 Jeremy Manning, 10 Jimmy Gopperth (c), 9 Chris Pilgrim, 1 Grant Shiells, 2 Rob Vickers, 3 Euan Murray, 4 Andrew van der Heijden, 5 Tim Swinson, 6 Ally Hogg, 7 Will Welch, 8 Mark Wilson
Replacements: 16 Michael Mayhew, 17 Jonny Golding, 18 Ashley Wells, 19 Taiasina Tu'ifua, 20 Richard Mayhew, 21 Will Chudley, 22 Rikki Sheriffe, 23 Joel Hodgson

Predictions?

I expect Tigers to pinch this one but it'll be close.

Sam any news on when Tait may ever make it back from injury?

We'll have ya this time Sam...

Should they rename this game "Tigers First vs Tigers Academy"

The only issue for Tigers is their bench back options, other than that theres no reason why they shouldnt win this despite missing a good chunk of players to the 6 nations.

300th game for Geordan. Fantastic achievement and a real club legend.

Tait had surgery on the groin muscle he injured earlier in the season, it was apparently a freak injury that just wouldn't heal. The specialists have done their thing and he was supposed to be back nowish. So hopefully get some game time soon. There was some who thought they saw him warming up with the squad before the Sarries game last week in a squad back up role but that could have easily been young scrum half Scot Steele who was on the bench.

You've got a fairly decent team there Geordie, who's the Bradford chap? He's a new one to me. Be interesting to see the Ford (the young 10) vs Daddy Ford (Falcons defence coach) battle. Hoping for a good performance from young George as he has a decent mobile pack and willing runners outside him so he for once isn't in an academy/3rds line up so if he wants to maintain his back up 10 role now is the time to shine. The only chane I think Falcons have is if they lose a Helleur early and then slide the 10/12 to 12/13 so Hodgson can come in at 10. That's the only time they looked dangerous during the LV Cup game.

Cheers for the info Sam, looking forward to seeing how Tait does go when he finally makes his second coming for Tigers.

Lulipola looks a real find too, is he EQ?

You've got a fairly decent team there Geordie, who's the Bradford chap? He's a new one to me

Sam,

He's signed from Bedford Blues until the end of the season...wing /centre.
21 yr old...see how he goes...

Samoan international I'm afraid (a Freddie Tuilagi recomendation). Some contract issues to work out though as he has a contract to play in the ITM from June to November and Tigers are trying to get the deal terminated so he'll be around for pre-season. He had some scrummaging issues but seems to be getting over them and is also a couple of stone lighter since entering Tigers training programme.

We're all looking forward to Tait, he showed glimpses of good stuff before breaking down and in that backline he could have a field day. Geordan's 300th game will be a good celebration but we could do with Tait being his under study sooner rather than later.

He's signed from Bedford Blues until the end of the season...wing /centre

Ah, was he the rapid winger? Playing lower leagues got the chance to step up with them this season or is that somebody else?

Glad to see Ford getting the start over Twelvetrees or Staunton. Shame he is playing outside Grindal but you seem to be suffering in that area with call up's and injuries.

Tigers too strong up front for me and to win by about 10 (sorry Falcons, I really do want you to stay up at Wasps expense).

B91212 wrote:Glad to see Ford getting the start over Twelvetrees or Staunton. Shame he is playing outside Grindal but you seem to be suffering in that area with call up's and injuries.
Tigers too strong up front for me and to win by about 10 (sorry Falcons, I really do want you to stay up at Wasps expense).

Well, while Mickey young has been unlucky with injuries, his current absence is due to suspension.

LondonTiger wrote:

B91212 wrote:Glad to see Ford getting the start over Twelvetrees or Staunton. Shame he is playing outside Grindal but you seem to be suffering in that area with call up's and injuries.
Tigers too strong up front for me and to win by about 10 (sorry Falcons, I really do want you to stay up at Wasps expense).

Well, while Mickey young has been unlucky with injuries, his current absence is due to suspension.

A dodgy one that led to complaints about way it was handled