Leicester Tigers - 2013/14 Thread

[LondonTiger]

First topic message reminder :

Senior Squad

Props - Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Cole, Mulipola, Schuster, Stankovich
Hookers - Briggs, Chuter, Hawkins, Youngs
Locks - Cain, Deacon. De Chaves, Kitchener, Parling, Price, Slater
Back Row - Crane, Croft, Gibson, Mafi, Salvi, Waldrom

Scrum Halves - Harrison, Mele, Steele, Youngs
Outside Half - Flood, Lamb, Williams
Centres - Allen, Bowden, Smith, Tuilagi
Wings - Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Morris, Thompstone
Full Back - Hamilton, Tait

Coaches - Cockerill (DoR & Forwards), Blaze (Asst Forwards), Burke (Backs), Murphy (Asst Backs)


Aviva Premiership Fixtures

Sun 8 Sep 14:00 Leicester Tigers   32         Worcester Warriors 15
Sat 14 Sep 15:15 Bath Rugby  27   Leicester Tigers 20
Sat 21 Sep 15:00 Leicester Tigers  33   Newcastle Falcons 6
Sun 29 Sep 14:00 Exeter Chiefs   9   Leicester Tigers  22
Sat 5 Oct 15:15 Leicester Tigers 19   Northampton Saints  19
Sun 27 Oct 14:00 London Wasps 22   Leicester Tigers 12
Sat 2 Nov 17:30 Leicester Tigers  16   Harlequins 23
Sat 23 Nov 15:00 Leicester Tigers 20   London Irish 11
Sat 30 Nov 15:00 Gloucester Rugby 17   Leicester Tigers 22
Sat 21 Dec 15:00 Saracens  49 v   Leicester Tigers 10
Sat 28 Dec 15:00 Leicester Tigers   v   Sale Sharks
Sat 4 Jan 15:00 Leicester Tigers 27  v   Bath Rugby 27
Fri 7 Feb 19:45 Worcester Warriors  22 v   Leicester Tigers 23
Sat 15 Feb 15:00 Leicester Tigers 11  v   Gloucester Rugby  8
Sun 23 Feb 15:00 London Irish  15 v   Leicester Tigers 20
Sun 2 Mar 15:00 Newcastle Falcons  18 v   Leicester Tigers 41
Sat 22 Mar 15:00 Leicester Tigers   45 v   Exeter Chiefs 15
Sat 29 Mar 15:00 Northampton Saints 16  v   Leicester Tigers 22
Sat 12 Apr 15:00 Leicester Tigers   v   London Wasps Welford Road
Sat 19 Apr 15:00 Harlequins   v   Leicester Tigers Twickenham Stoop
Fri 2 May 20:00 Sale Sharks   v   Leicester Tigers Salford City Stadium
Sat 10 May 15:00 Leicester Tigers   v   Saracens Welford Road



Heineken Cup Fixtures

Friday, October 11 8pm Ulster Rugby 22  Leicester Tigers 16
Friday, October 18 8pm Leicester Tigers 34  Benetton Treviso 3
Sunday, December 8 3pm Leicester Tigers 41 Montpellier Herault Rugby 32
Sunday, December 15 4pm (local time) Montpellier Herault Rugby 14  Leicester Tigers 15
10/11/12 January 2014 Benetton Treviso 19 v Leicester Tigers 34
17/18/19 January 2014 Leicester Tigers 19 v Ulster Rugby 22
Saturday, 5th April ASM Clermont Auvergne v Leicester Tigers

[LondonTiger]

I am getting confused.

So for this season we have the Crumbie Holland and Barret stand and Terrace, the East alliance & Leicester Goldsmiths Stand, the North Next Caterpillar GNC Stand. Oh and the Clubhouse end with the temporarary deluxe seats?

[Portnoy's Complaint]

As the clubhouse end is available for away fans, maybe the Tigers are missing a trick. They have a marketing opportunity with a tie-in with Andrex.

Actually there's an added potential with the association of H&B/GNC's more regular fans.

[LondonTiger]

Or the Senokot stand for the less regular?

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Sun 8 Sep 14:00 Leicester Tigers v Worcester Warriors Welford Road
Sat 21 Sep 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons Welford Road
Sat 5 Oct 15:15 Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints Welford Road
Fri 18 Oct 15:Leicester v Treviso
Sat 2 Nov 17:30 Leicester Tigers v Harlequins Welford Road
Sat 23 Nov 15:00 Leicester Tigers v London Irish Welford Road
Sun 8 Dec Leicester v Montpellier
Sat 28 Dec 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks Welford Road
Sat 4 Jan 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Bath Rugby Welford Road
Sun 18 Jan Leicester v Ulster
Sat 15 Feb 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Gloucester Rugby Welford Road
Sat 22 Mar 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs Welford Road
Sat 12 Apr 15:00 Leicester Tigers v London Wasps Welford Road
Sat 10 May 15:00 Leicester Tigers v Saracens Welford Road

Emboldened text - IW games

Obviously the HEC games will be difficult as they should be (thanks Rabo for sending your dross elsewhere).

The IW commitment appears to be reduced (and dare I say fairer?) than in the past.

But I can see a clean sweep of the Jeff home games and realistically only Montpelier that I'm deeply concerned about. A return of the fortress?

[formerly known as Sam]

I can't see us beating Quins during the IW. Glaws maybe depending on the Burns/Flood competition for the England bench and other call ups. They will be tough games.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

That's very negative, Sam. Obviously Glous and Quins will be depleted as well.

But the programme shows that there really is no need for playoffs and could easily be replaced by an RU Cup.

[LondonTiger]

We play 4 AP fixtures during the 6Ns window and 1 during the AIs.

5 out of 22 fixtures.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Precisely. 22 jeff, 7(max) ERCs, 8(?) IWs = 37

At the moment Tigers have 31 games scheduled plus 3 (hopefully) HEC qtrs+

There are 39 weekends between 01/09 and 31/05

[HongKongCherry]

I can't see us beating Quins during the IW. Glaws maybe depending on the Burns/Flood competition for the England bench and other call ups. They will be tough games.

I think it's more likely to depend on the weather. February is likely to be cold and wet and your 2nd string will still be too strong for us in those conditions.  Get a nice dry pitch and things could be different.  We only get a result if you have a fly half who likes to throw nice wild passes (i.e. Staunton and Goode); now if only you'd signed some kind of maverick fly half who throws wild passes and is likely to be playing during the 6Ns...

[formerly known as Sam]

It's alright HKC young Mr Lamb will keeping the bench warm by then as I expect young Mr Williams will do just fine behind Tigers pack.

Tigers will be down the Lions 6 plus maybe Flood. By comparison Glaws will be down Morgan and maybe Burns, Twelvetrees and Kvesic whilst Quins will be short Care, Robshaw then maybe Brown and Marler. All in I think our team will be considerably more depleted and as HKC says it will depend on the weather. Having said that Glaws pack with Wood, Edmunds, Hudson, Kalamafoni and Quera will be pretty good in a physical battle.

[yappysnap]

Hhmmm I don't think you can guess anything yet until we see what Quins turns up at the start of the season.

The rampant 11/12 version or the slightly flacid 12/13 version.

[yappysnap]

Oh and we'll probs be missing PDJ, Marler, Robson, Robshaw, Care, Lowe and Brown depending upon Saxons and 1st team call ups. That is a heck of a lot of quality to lose, on top of Chisholm and OLH so far as well.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

We haven't seen if the new scrummaging laws will deflate some inflated egos yet.

I'm gambling on Mulipola and the resurgence of the loose head.

[yappysnap]

Mulipola wasn't very good at the old scrums let alone the new type.  

[Portnoy's Complaint]

So that'd be a real problem for the Bowler Hats then, yap?

[formerly known as Sam]

Mulipola did a good job vs Quins and Sarries in the semi and final of the AP last season. He's developed very well in the last year and a half. Definitely needs further refinement but at 25 there's plenty of time and a load of talent already present to work with.

Saxons games only clash with the LV Cup normally so the likes of Robson, Lowe and PDJ will all be available. Though I'd be disappointed if Robson is still in the Saxons ahead of Kitchener, Slater, Kruis and Matthews. There are younger and superior options to him.

If AP games were to clash with the Saxons then Kitchener, Slater, Crane, Waldrom, Allen and Tait could also be missing. I can't see all of them being used though I can see the Lions 6 definitely being involved if fit though Flood may well lose out as Lancaster prefers youth and Flood does not command a starting jersey at the minute.

[HongKongCherry]

It's alright HKC young Mr Lamb will keeping the bench warm by then as I expect young Mr Williams will do just fine behind Tigers pack.

Tigers will be down the Lions 6 plus maybe Flood. By comparison Glaws will be down Morgan and maybe Burns, Twelvetrees and Kvesic whilst Quins will be short Care, Robshaw then maybe Brown and Marler. All in I think our team will be considerably more depleted and as HKC says it will depend on the weather. Having said that Glaws pack with Wood, Edmunds, Hudson, Kalamafoni and Quera will be pretty good in a physical battle.

A word of warning on Lambie, you'll need to ensure the more rotund female supporters steer clear of him, otherwise his form may drop   

[LondonTiger]

A word of warning on Lambie, you'll need to ensure the more rotund female supporters steer clear of him, otherwise his form may drop   

Cannot see my ex-wife attending, so his form shoudl be fine.

[formerly known as Sam]

LT, I just had some dodgey looks as I've sniggered through Leicester town centre.

Lamb can chubby chase all he likes, we've got two other options at 10 plus Bowden and Mele who can cover there's also the academy 10 Bryant who is supposedly quite handy. We aren't short of options at 10 this season. If he is more focussed on cushion for the pushin' than playing he won't see much game time and will be offloaded next summer.

[yappysnap]

A word of warning on Lambie, you'll need to ensure the more rotund female supporters steer clear of him, otherwise his form may drop   

Cannot see my ex-wife attending, so his form shoudl be fine.

 

[yappysnap]

I can not wait to see Lamb run out for Tigers. I think he'll be a lot better then most people expect.

[LondonTiger]

Precisely. 22 jeff, 7(max) ERCs, 8(?) IWs = 37

At the moment Tigers have 31 games scheduled plus 3 (hopefully) HEC qtrs+

There are 39 weekends between 01/09 and 31/05

22 AP
9 HC (if you make final)
11/12 EPS release weekends (3/4 AI, week before 6Ns starts and all 7 weeks of 6Ns)

So up to 43 weekends needed with no clashes.

The money men (and clubs need money to pay wages) and the majority of fans love the play-offs.

[HongKongCherry]

I've said it before, but the key to getting your head round the play offs is to understand that the Jeff is not a league and hasn't been since 2002/3. It is a cup competition.

[HongKongCherry]

A word of warning on Lambie, you'll need to ensure the more rotund female supporters steer clear of him, otherwise his form may drop   

Cannot see my ex-wife attending, so his form shoudl be fine.

  

LT, you sir, are a legend!

[lostinwales]

So that'd be a real problem for the Bowler Hats then, yap?

I am sure Mulipola looks nothing like oddjob...

[Portnoy's Complaint]

No?

oddjob:

mulipola:

[Ozzy3213]

Gents, is Lewington more a full back or winger?

[formerly known as Sam]

Age grade a fullback but at Notts and Tigers he played more wing. I think he would be comfortable at either. Good all round footballer, some pace, seemed able physically and had no high ball problems I've seen. Given that Notts and Tigers had experienced 15 options when he was on the wing I would say that it was nothing against his talent at 15.

As I've said before I'm annoyed he didn't get more games last season and isn't in our squad this year.

[Ozzy3213]

Yeah, he's looked reasonable when I'd seen him previously. We have real depth in our back 3 three this year, he should be a good signing for us. I was just interested as I get the impression that Brian Smith is seeing him more as a winger than full back, but I had in my head that he was more a 15.

[LondonTiger]

Arse, Love sacks, five knuckle shuffle. Cannot make the Friendly against Ulster now

[formerly known as Sam]

Me neither LT. I'm busy playing this Saturday. On the upside I've successfully transferred to BT broadband and gained the gloriously free BT sport

[LondonTiger]

School uniform shopping for me, not even a good excuse. As it is a friendly cannot even give my seats away.

[Metal Tiger]

Don't normally go to the pre season friendlies, but am attending Tigers v Ulster on Saturday.... Just had massive withdrawal symptons and need a fix quick. It's also an excuse not to be picked for my local side as I am definitely trying to put my foot down on the retirement front!!!

Old prop. Everything broken now.

[formerly known as Sam]

Terrence Hepetema is allegedly joining us from the Waratahs academy. He made a handful of appearances for the first team and has played some ITM rugby in his native New Zealand. At 21 there appears to be plenty of potential and he is a utility option that prefers 12. Could be interesting.

What happened to England under 18 12, Javiah Pohe though? He was dipped for big things (and you couldn't have called him small either). We also have Purdy and Catchpole who between them cover a number of backline positions and are both England under 20s.

[nathan]

Anyone know what happened to Tait, i read somewhere he had another operation?

[formerly known as Sam]

Knee surgery to clear out some cartlidge. He's obviously not recovered fully yet.

[nathan]

Knee surgery to clear out some cartlidge. He's obviously not recovered fully yet.

at least it's not his groin again!

[nathan]

Quick update on injuries.

B. Youngs and M. Tuilagi won't be fit to play after coming back from the Lions injured (Both with nerve damage in their shoulders). Cockerill had a whinge as you would expect. lol

Ed Slater, Niki Goneva and Tom Youngs all looks fit to play despite what the media says.

Toby Flood is out obviously with his concussion but should be back next week.

Miles Benjamin is still out after a fractured vertebrae in his neck.

[lostinwales]

Is there any information on Benjamin's recovery? Its been pretty much a year now hasnt it.

[LondonTiger]

Is there any information on Benjamin's recovery? Its been pretty much a year now hasnt it.

Missed pre-season last year with a niggle, then got hurt within 5 minutes of appearing for the A team last September. I have heard very little.

[formerly known as Sam]

He's in the Merc today discussing a possible comeback. Cockers said they'd take it week by week and make sure he was 100% all good before putting him back in action. I believe he's doing contact training again so he shouldn't be too far off now.

[LondonTiger]

B. Youngs and M. Tuilagi won't be fit to play after coming back from the Lions injured (Both with nerve damage in their shoulders). Cockerill had a whinge as you would expect.

Yeah he did. Really interesting that they were deemed fit enough for test rugby by the Lions medical staff after sustaining these injuries, yet 6 weeks later not fit enough to play AP. Guess we set higher standards for player welfare?

Also something I raised on another post - Gatland rested Mike Phillips for the second test as he had a niggling leg injury and selected Ben Youngs who had a shoulder injury. Interesting decision - and a cynic could claim he was sacrificing the Englishman to protect the Welshman.

[formerly known as Sam]

Given Ben left the field fairly early having played the tactics given perfectly and helped the Lions to a winning position it could have been that he picked up the injury in that game. Manu was clearly not fit for the third test but seemingly kept around as Garland feared he may have needed his explosive power.

Compounding the problems from the Manu injury is that Smith is also supposedly out for 3 months with a dislocated and broken thumb. We've gone from having two quality OCs proven at AP level to having either Allen or Goneva covering with England under 20 George Catchpole as back up. Could do with the rumours surrounding the young Kiwi signing from the Waratahs coming to fruition.

[formerly known as Sam]

http://m.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/story.html?aid=19753380&category=sport

[Metal Tiger]

B. Youngs and M. Tuilagi won't be fit to play after coming back from the Lions injured (Both with nerve damage in their shoulders). Cockerill had a whinge as you would expect.

Yeah he did. Really interesting that they were deemed fit enough for test rugby by the Lions medical staff after sustaining these injuries, yet 6 weeks later not fit enough to play AP. Guess we set higher standards for player welfare?

Also something I raised on another post - Gatland rested Mike Phillips for the second test as he had a niggling leg injury and selected Ben Youngs who had a shoulder injury. Interesting decision - and a cynic could claim he was sacrificing the Englishman to protect the Welshman.

What's that you say... Gatland favouring his Welsh stars over other nations players? I think everyBODy would disagree with you.

[LondonTiger]

Given Ben left the field fairly early having played the tactics given perfectly and helped the Lions to a winning position it could have been that he picked up the injury in that game.

Apparently the injury was caused in the Rebels game when Ben scored the try but dived into the post in doing so. 4 days later he plays in the second test. Now there is no way on earth that Youngs would have turned down the chance to play, so Cockerill should be measured in his complaints, but it does suggest that Robson is not as truthful as he claims on player welfare. Certainly adds to the cases of Bowe and Rory Lamont.

[broadlandboy]

IIRC Cockers said last night on The Rugby Hour on Radio Leicester that Hepetema is England qualified

[LondonTiger]

Well, surprise surprise, Ben and Manu failed fitness tests.


Really worried about Saturday.

[formerly known as Sam]

Born in England to an Aussie and a Kiwi but brought up in NZ.

I am concerned over our backline for Saturday. The lack of rotation from the base left our props looking tired as well. Dunn, Catchpole, Purdy and Hepetema are all in the A league team for tonight. We badly need some bulk in that midfield as Allen really was the only reason we didn't concede a couple more. Lamb looks a bit dodgey as well. Flood should hopefully return vs Bath.

Interesting that Harrison is playing 10 tonight and not Williams. I presume that's to ensure we have at least two fit and able 10s for the Bath game.

[LondonTiger]

Is Harrison coming back from injury? Only asking as Benny was replaced on the bench by Scott Steele

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