Leicester Tigers 2014/15 Thread.

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

Current Tables Positions:
 AP: 5th
 CC: 2nd in Group 3
 LV: 1st in Pool 3 

Last Game: V Bath @ Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
Next Game: V Harliquins @ Twickenham Stoop (15:15 KO) Sat 10 January 2015, (Live on BT Sport)


Official 1st XV squad 2014/15: ( Injured, Internationals, Suspension, "Knocked", )
 Head Coach/DoR: Richard Cockerill
 Assistant coaches: G. Murphy, R. Blaze, P.Blake,
 Captain: Ed Slater
 Props: Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo

 Hookers: Briggs, Ghiraldini, Thacker, Youngs .

 Locks: Deacon, De Cheves, Kitchener, Parling, Price, Slater, Thorn, Peterson

 Back Row: Barbieri, Crane, Croft, Gibson, Matera, Pearce, Salvi, Whetton

 Scrum Half: Harrison, Mele, Youngs

 Fly Half: Burns, Williams

 Centres: Allen, Bai , Heptema, Loamanu, Pohe, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi ,

 Back 3: Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Hamilton, Morris, Scully, Tait, Thompstone, Bell

Development Players 2014/15:
 Oliver Bryant, George Catchpole, Jake Farnworth, Tom Hudson, Ed Milne, Will Owen, Aniseko Sio, George Tresidder, Rhys Williams.


 New Deals 2014/14
 Dan Cole (Long term)
 Marcos Ayerza (3 years)
 Tom Youngs (Long Term)
 Owen Williams
 Graham Kitchener
 Fraser Balmain
 Tiziano Pasquali
 Harry Thacker
 Riccardo Brugnara





 Transfers in 2014/15:
 Brad Thorn (Highlanders)
 Tommy Bell (Jersey)
 Jack Roberts (Rotherham Titans)
 Aaron Mauger (Canterbury Crusaders)
 Jack Whetton (ACT Brumbies)
 Greg Peterson (Manly)

 Transfers Out 2014/15:
 Paul Burke (N/A)
 Neil McCarthy (N?A)
 Mathew Tait (Bayonne)

 Rumours:
Nyanga -----> Leicester, Touion or Metro(http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 29,00.html)
Fonua ------> Leicester
Dusautoir ----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
Albacete -----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
(both https://twitter.com/pauleddison)
Liam williams -> Leicester (Rugby Paper)
Jerome Kaino --> Leicester
Willem Alberts --> Leicester (Gillingham)
Mike Williams ---> Leicester (Fissler)
Justin Tipuric --> Leicester (TRP)
 

Home tickets can be brought Here:

[b]Premiership rugby 7's[/b]:

Leicester Finish as Plate winners of the 2014 Premiership Sevens!!!!!!!!!

Pre-season games 2014 + friendlies:
 Sat Aug 16th 15:00: Nottingham v Leicester Tigers @ Lady Bay Sports Ground, Nottingham's training ground, in West Bridgford (Lost 26-19)
 Sat Aug 23th 14:00: Edinburgh V Leicester Tigers @ Melrose. (Won 10 -11)
 Fri  Aug 29th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Cardiff Blues @ Welford Road (Won 21 - 17)
 Tues Nov 4th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Barbarians @ Welford Road (Lost 26 - 59)

 Fixtures AP 2014/15:
R1: Saturday 06 /09/14, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (H) – Welford Road (Won 36 -17)   (Att: 22,639)
R2: Saturday 13/09/14, 15.15 – Exeter Chiefs (A) – Sandy Park (BT Sport) (Won 20 - 24)  (Att: 9,721)
R3: Saturday 20/09/14, 15.15 – Bath Rugby (A) – The Rec (BT Sport) ( Lost 45-0)  (Att: 12,817)
R4: Saturday 27/09/14, 15.00 – London Irish (H) – Welford Road (Lost 19-22)  (Att: 21,682)
R5: Saturday 04/10/14, 15.15 – Gloucester Rugby (A) – Kingsholm (BT Sport) (Lost 33 - 16)  (Att: 15,127)
R6: Friday 10/10/14, 19.45 – Harlequins (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Won 22 - 16)  (Att: 21,510)
R7: Saturday 15/11/14 – 15.00 – Saracens (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Draw 21 - 21) (Att: 21,680)
R8: Sunday 23/11/14 – 14.30 – London Welsh (A) – Kassam Stadium (BT Sport) (Won 5 - 26) (Att: 3,249)
R9: Saturday 29/11/14, 15.00 – Wasps (H) – Welford Road (Won 18 - 16) (Att: 21,907)
R10: Saturday 20/12/14 15.00 – Northampton Saints (A) – Franklin's Gardens (Lost 23 - 19) (Att: 13, 362)
R11: Saturday 27/12/14, 14.00 – Sale Sharks (A) – AJ Bell Stadium (Won 30 - 32) (Att: 11, 247)
R12: Saturday 03/01/15, 15.00 – Bath Rugby (H) – Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
R13: Saturday 10/01/15, 15.15 – Harlequins (A) – Twickenham Stoop
R14: Saturday 14//02/15, 15.00 – Gloucester Rugby (H) – Welford Road
R15: Saturday 21/02/15, 15.00 – London Irish (A) – Madejski Stadium
R16: Saturday 28/02/15, 15.00 – Sale Sharks (H) – Welford Road
R17: Sunday 08/03/15, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (A) – Kingston Park
R18: Saturday 28/03/15, 15.00 – Exeter Chiefs (H) – Welford Road
R19: Saturday 11/04/15, 15.00 – Saracens (A) – Allianz Park
R20: Saturday 25/04/15, 15.00 – London Welsh (H) – Welford Road
R21: Sunday 10/05/15, 14.00 – Wasps (A) – Adams Park
R22: Saturday 16/05/15, tbc – Northampton Saints (H) – Welford Road
Fixtures in Rounds 1-6 are confirmed. From Round 7 onwards they are subject to television selections.

 Champions Cup pool + Fixtures 2014/15:
 Pool 3
 Toulon
 Leicester Tigers
 Ulster
 Scarlets.

European Champions Cup fixtures
Round 1: Saturday, October 18 (7.45pm) Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby (Won 25 -18) (Att: 19,943)
Round 2: Saturday, October 25 (7.45pm) Scarlets v Leicester Tigers (Lost 15 - 3) (Att: 8,235)
Round 3: December 5/6/7 Leicester Tigers v RC Toulon (Won 25 - 21) (Att: 22,114)
Round 4: December 12/13/14 RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers (Lost 23 - 8) (Att: 15, 045)
Round 5: January 16/17/18 Leicester Tigers v Scarlets
Round 6: January 23/24/25 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

 
LV Cup

 Pool 3
Leicester Tigers
Wasps
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets

 LV Cup fixtures
 Round 1: Saturday, November 1 (3:00PM) London Irish V Leicester Tigers (Won 16 - 17) (Att: 5,131)
 Round 2: Sunday, November 8 (3:10PM)  Leicester Tigers V Sale sharks ((Won 29 - 13)) (Att:)
 Round 3: 30/31 Jan/ 1 February Leicester Tigers V Northampton Saints
 Round 4: 6/7/8 February Cardiff blues V Leicester Tigers

 
Fixtures
Round 1 - 31 October/01/02 November: London Irish v Leicester Tigers
Round 2 - 07/08/09 November: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks - Sunday, November 9, KO 15:15. Live on Sky Sports
Round 3 - 30/31 January/01 February: Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Round 4 - 06/07/08 February: Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers
Semi Finals - 13/14/15 March
LV= Cup Final - 22 March (venue to be confirmed)

 

[b]A League Fixtures[/b]:

 
 Academy Squad 2014/15:
 

Spoiler:

[Geordie]

Bakkies v Thorn in a champions cup game.

Has a Rocky film potential.

Thorn has always been a better player than Bakkies, more aggressive and far more of an enforcer - even at this stage of his career (I'd still have him in the AB's).  Though their showdowns were classic! I believe they are good friend off the pitch, due to their likeness on the pitch and shared religious beliefs

Really? Im not sure on that one.

[chewed_mintie]

Yep. The only year between 2008 and 2011 (when Thorn came back into the AB setup) where SA had any dominance over NZ was in 2009 - we were a mess collectively but even then Brad Thorn was one of our best players dragging everyone with him and never backing down. Make no mistake, if I wanted one tight lock playing for my team, it'd be Brad Thorn.

In that period I can never recall Bakkies doing anything intimidating to NZ - he may have scared other countries but Brad always had him in his back pocket. All I can think of with Bakkies was the odd cheap shot when playing NZ.

[Welly]

Yep.  The only year between 2008 and 2011 (when Thorn came back into the AB setup) where SA had any dominance over NZ was in 2009 - we were a mess collectively but even then Brad Thorn was one of our best players dragging everyone with him and never backing down.  Make no mistake, if I wanted one tight lock playing for my team, it'd be Brad Thorn.

In that period I can never recall Bakkies doing anything intimidating to NZ - he may have scared other countries but Brad always had him in his back pocket.  All I can think of with Bakkies was the odd cheap shot when playing NZ.

 Ohhh, Im' excited, cant wait to meet him, a true rugby legend.

 To play for Aus rugby League and the All Blacks is just incredible in it's own right.

 But to be involved with some of the most successful teams in the last 10 years (outside Tigers).

[chewed_mintie]

Welly - I'll be trying to get to a few Tigers games to see him play. I imagine he'll be starting within a short period of time. Age is nothing to the guy - he could still play for the AB's right now.

My 9 year old son is also pretty excited about going to watch him play! Quite funny to think I was only 4 year older than my son is now when I first started watching Brad in the old Winfield Cup (what the NRL was back then) in 1994. 20 years, still going strong.

[Welly]

Welly - I'll be trying to get to a few Tigers games to see him play.  I imagine he'll be starting within a short period of time.  Age is nothing to the guy - he could still play for the AB's right now.

My 9 year old son is also pretty excited about going to watch him play!  Quite funny to think I was only 4 year older than my son is now when I first started watching Brad in the old Winfield Cup (what the NRL was back then) in 1994.  20 years, still going strong.

 Be nice to watch him play his last season of rugby (supposedly).

 Leicester have certainly had some legend put on that second row shirt.

[Welly]

Okay some academy Match results and Reports after a busy week.

 Driffield 7 - 53 Leicester Tigers   
KO : 19:00
Thu 7th Aug 14


http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/20470.php

 Tries: Odogwu 2, Thacker 2, Hills, Harvey, Melville, Nairn, Sutton
Conversions: Hargreaves 4

Team
Leicester Tigers
O Sam Melville
N Paolo Odogwu
M George Worth
L Charlie Thacker
K Quinten Koster
J John Hargreaves
I George Prince (c)
A Owen Hills
B George Nairn
C Dan Hogan
D Joe Green
E Joe Maksymiw
F Charlie Harvey
H George Murrin
G Charlie Beckett

Replacements
P Aubrey Grimes
Q Neale Farthing
R Alex Galletly
S Stone Priestley-Nangle
T Will Sutton
U Sam Yawayawa

Cardiff Academy 36 - 22 Leicester Tigers   
KO : 14:00
Wed 13th Aug 14

http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/20471.php

Tries: Sutton, Jack, White
Conversion: Umaga 2
Penalty: Sutton

Team
Leicester Tigers Academy
O Will Sutton
N Alex Waycot
M Jordan Olowofela
L Jacob Umaga
K Sam Yawayawa
J Jake Duffield
I Ben White
A Jamie Jack
B Aubrey Grimes
C Fred Tuilagi
D Alex Galletly
E Joe Green
F George Murrin (c)
H Stone Priestley-Nangle
G Charlie Harvey

Replacements
P Luis Evitt
Q James Newman
R Toby Hutchinson
S Brice Benyamina
T Jake Charters
U George Prince       

 Leicester academy 7 - 48 Leinster U20's
 KO : 13:00
 Sat 16th Aug 14

 
Leicester Tigers Scorers
Tries
Murrin
Conversion
Hargreaves

 Leicester Team
Leicester Tigers Lineups
Leicester Tigers Lineups
Leicester Tigers
O Reuben Norville
N Yannis Loizis
M Quinten Koster
L Sam Melville
K Sam Yawayawa
J John Hargreaves
I George Prince
A Neale Farthing
B George Nairn (c)
C Dan Hogan
D Matthew Hubbart
E Joe Green
F George Murrin
H Daniel Moolman
G Charlie Harvey

Replacements
P Jamie Jack
Q Daniel de Kock
R Alex Galletly
S Stone Priestley-Nangle
T Ben White
U Benji Marfo

Leicester Tigers 21 -12 London Irish
KO : 14:00
Wed 20th Aug 14

Leicester Tigers Scorers
Tries: Sutton, Odogwu, Penalty Try 
Conversion: Umaga 3


Leicester Tigers Lineups
Leicester Tigers
O Will Sutton
N Paolo Odogwu
M Jordan Olowofela
L Jacob Umaga
K Sam Yawayawa
J Jake Duffield
I Ben White
A Jamie Jack
B Aubrey Grimes
C Fred Tuilagi
D James Newman
E Joe Green
F Toby Hutchinson
H Will Evans
G Stone Priestley-Nangle (c)

Replacements
P Luis Evitt
Q Jake Charters
R Alex Galletly
T Ben Scoular
V Lewis Winterbottom
W Andy Musvaburi

[Welly]

Official Statement from Mafi.

He said: "It has been a tough decision to have to ask for a release from my Leicester contract, but being away from my baby son and family in Australia has been difficult and I wanted to be closer to them.

"Leicester took a chance on signing me in 2010 and the environment was different to anything I had experienced before in rugby. I learned a huge amount in four years with a massive club, working with the coaches and the rest of the players, and I enjoyed playing in some huge games, including cup finals, with them.

"I'll be forever grateful for the opportunity that Tigers gave me in top-level professional rugby and I wish them all the best for the future.

"I'd like to thank Simon Cohen, Richard Cockerill, the players and, of course, the fans for their support and understanding during my time at the club."

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said: "Steve came here with very little known about him, but he made a big impact with the Tigers and developed into a top-class player during his time here.

"Due to personal circumstances, however, he wished to be closer to his family and we have agreed to release him from his contract. We wish him and his family well for the future."

[www.leicestertigers.com]

[RDW]

Hello Tigers fans!

For those that don't know, tomorrow's game against Edinburgh will be streamed live on the Daily Record website

http://www.edinburghrugby.org/news/14/08/19/pre-season-clash-streamed-live-online

Looking forward to the game (although I won't see it as I will be at a wedding!) - has the Tigers team been put up yet?

Edinburgh's pack has been beset by injuries, and we only have one fit prop on the bench.  Some exciting young players getting some gametime though which is good.

[Welly]

Hey RDW

 Tigers team usually is a on the day thing for pre-season, but is beilieved to have Burns, Allen, Ghiraldini and Barbieri are expecting to start as is Goneva.

 And these have been ruled out. Ayerza, Rizzo, Cole, Loamanu, Pearce, Benjamin, Slater, Camacho, Matera.

 Reckon if true about a lot of 1st teamers. Heard the squad will be 28.

 1) Bristow/Mulipola
 2) Ghiraldini
 3) Mulipola/Balmain
 4) Deacon
 5) Kitchener
 6) Croft/Crane
 7) Gibson/Salvi
 8) Barbieri
 9) Youngs
10) Burns
11) Scully
12) Allen
13) Goneva
14) Morris
15) Tait

16) Youngs
17) Briggs
18) Sio
19) Bristow/Balmain
20) Brugnara
21) Pasquali
22) Price
23) Gibson/Crane
24) Mele
25) Bai
26) Thompstone
27) Pohe
28) Smith

 But really who knows, it's one of those things.

 Do you reckon the 2 former Tigers academy lads will start (Tonks & Watson) for Edinburgh?

[RDW]

Tonks is starting at 10 and Watson (was he Leicester academy??) is starting at openside.

We're very excited about Tonks at 10 - he moved there last season during a stand-off crisis and played 8 games in a row, acquitting himself very well (including strong performances in HK wins against Perpignan and Gloucester).  Unfortunately he got himself injured in February so was out for the rest of the season.

And I think it is fair to say Scotland are still looking for a decent, consistent 10!

He was excellent at fullback in his first season, but he does look very promising at 10.

[Welly]

Hamish Watson was at the Tigers Academy when he was at Oakham, I thought he looked quite good, TBH rated him.

[funnyExiledScot]

Watson was indeed Leicester Academy. Better than Neil Back I reckon....

It's Leicester, meaning that the pack will be very strong. Our loosehead is new to pro rugby and we have two opensides in the back row, so I think we could struggle with the arm wrestle and in getting quality ball. Still, the Edinburgh backline is decent and with Visser and Fife we have decent strike capability. Leicester not too shabby either, and Morris seems to gobble up the ground without actually looking quick, and the less said about Goneva the better. His opposite number is just out of nappies!

[RDW]

He's been with us a couple of seasons now but haven't seen a great deal of him (stuck behind Ross Rennie and Roddy Grant) - but he has looked promising when he has played.

Very fast and a good link man, not sure about the physical side yet though. He needs a run of games though to see what he's got.

Another youngster is loosehead prop Rory Sutherland - he was playing amateur rugby last season and is pretty young. Will be a great learning experience for him. We have 3 looseheads injured just now so he might end up getting a lot of gametime!

[Welly]

If Leicester start with a big front row can see cockers taking them off early if it proves to strong and and then put in the Academy lads in who have signed there first pro contracts.

 Although Sio has a international cap for samoa he hasn't played a pro club game yet.

[RDW]

 Although Sio has a international cap for samoa he hasn't played a pro club game yet.

We've got a few players like that in Scotland!   

[funnyExiledScot]

Sutherland used to play in the back row so he's one of those props who likes to get around the park. The big question will be whether he has the technique to deal with Mulipola, and offset the size differential.

[formerly known as Sam]

Tigers generally mix it up in pre season. I doubt we'll put out anything that resembles a full first team before the last game. Expect mix and match here. Given that the academy and only a handful of senior players started last week we are more than likely going to see a more senior squad tomorrow.

By all accounts the tight areas of the game went well with our youngsters lat week against Notts firsts so we should be strong there. Be interesting to see how we defend as we have a new defence coach implementing a new strategy.

[Guest]

Here be the stream link. Fingers crossed it's good quality.

[Welly]

Leicester Tigers team
 15. Morris/Scully
 14. Scully/Smith
 13. Manu
 12. Bai
 11. Goneva
 10. Burns
  9. Youngs
  8. Barberi
  7. Salvi
  6. Croft
  5. Parling
  4. De Cheves
  3. Mulipola
  2. Ghilrandi
  1. Sio

[formerly known as Sam]

Be interesting to see how Sio goes. Looks a big unit but not great at the scrum early doors.

Bai showing nice hands at 12.

Thanks for the great link.

[Welly]

Watson has been very impressive so far from Edinburgh.

[Welly]

Harry wells on for Parling (injury)

 Looks like Wells is in the squad the for Leicester good pick up, to replace Mafi.


 Sio showing why he is a development squad player.

[formerly known as Sam]

Mulipola showing that he's a touch reliant on the brilliance of Ayerza as a platform for his powerhouse scrummaging. Sio looks a promising youngster. A season learning and he'll look a better prospect.

Surprised Wells came on ahead of Price. He seems to be back into the fold which is good. If we've lost Mafi only to gain Wells and Thorn then that ain't bad.

Watson has indeed started well. Was disappointed when he left for Scottish Sevens a couple of years back.

[Welly]

Agree with all points Sam

 The D is looking a lot sharper and more aggressive this season.

[formerly known as Sam]

Seems to be one designated player to rush out and pressure the opposition whilst the rest advance in a line.

Manu throwing a lot of passes at the right time to use the winger in some space. Interesting, I sense Geordan Murphy's influence. Morris lookin quality.

[Welly]

Seems to be one designated player to rush out and pressure the opposition whilst the rest advance in a line.

Manu throwing a lot of passes at the right time to use the winger in some space. Interesting, I sense Geordan Murphy's influence. Morris lookin quality.

 Typical Rugby League D isn't really.

 Guess that may be the new D coach then.

[formerly known as Sam]

Bit of a mish mash really. You'd normally expect a league side to rush up as a line with union sides adapting the tactic to bring the outside defenders round in an arc to stop the ball going wide. We seem to be rushing just the one man and then using our drift defence.

Our one on one tackling is poor at the moment and Edinburgh are getting into their stride. Not sure Goneva was offside I think the ref has been influenced by the crowd there.

[Welly]

Agree with Goneva comment.

 If we didn't had Matera would have been annoyed watching Watson ATM.

 But as you said he wanted to do sevens aswell so who could blame him.

 The coverage is really good, great commentator.

 Wish Leicester could do something like this for Pre-season/Friendly games and maybe even no-televised home games (although that may be a image rights thing)

[formerly known as Sam]

Shame we couldn't have sent one of the Radio Leicester guys up there to work wigh the excellent Scottish commentator.

Balmain and Brugnara shoring up the front row nicely.

We've overcomplicated our play. Need to simplify it and just go through some phases.

[formerly known as Sam]

How can you give a turnover at a maul when it hasn't stopped moving? Ref has been interesting In this second half.

Tigers need to find a lot more intensity than they've shown today.

[Welly]

When was the last time Tigers have had a strong Pre-season?

[Welly]

Okay have half back combos off.

 Youngs/Williams
 Mele/Burns.

 to help with the kicking.

 Edinburgh have some very good youngsters.

[formerly known as Sam]

Burns kicking was alright. He missed a touch line conversion and one in the middle of the down pour. He played really quite well, kicking from hand was excellent and I was impressed with how much he was willing to put his body on the line given it was a friendly. That's exactly the commitment Cockers will want to see after Burns performances last season for Glaws.

Youngs played pretty intelligently but he didn't really challenge the gain line much. I think he needs to go back to attacking the fringes of the rucks a little more and the blindside of scrums where he used to cause havoc. He seems to have paid too much attention to the criticisms from the press.

Not sure about Williams as he will enter the season without a preseason game.

[RDW]

What did you guys think of the Edinburgh players?

Sounds like Watson played well!

I missed the game so interested to hear how it went.

[formerly known as Sam]

Watson was easily man of the match. Edinburgh front row looked solid. Wings offered good pace, the Argentinean centre added something to the midfield when he came on. Tonks was solid, Heathcote not so much.

Add the big carriers you were missing back to your pack and reinforce the modified and you should do Ok. Rolling maul was well organised and defence not bad. Clyne added a much better tactical dynamic at 9 when he came on.

[Welly]

Some tigers news.

 New Coach Blake arrived last week and had 2 sessions with the players.

 Cohen confirmed on RL last night that they are hoping increasing capacity by 2,500 to 26,500 in the club house end and also have more space in the new developments to house offices for the WR based staff.

 Also confirmed that the club is looking to move away from Oval Park as the pitches are being used to much. and are hoping to transfer the lease as to not upset Oadby.

[formerly known as Sam]

Yeah they've been feuding with Oadby Wiggs for some time. No surprise they're kerbing Oval Park. It's a fairly average set up.

The small increase in the stadium will hopefully be the club house end. That's a bit of an eye sore.

[Welly]

Salter is our club Captain.

[formerly known as Sam]

Tigers team news for Friday

28 August 2014 13:33pmBy Gary Sherrard

Richard Cockerill's squad make their final pre-season appearance at Welford Road this FridaySummer signings Freddie Burns, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Robert Barbieri are named in the Leicester Tigers starting line-up for Friday's final pre-season fixture against Cardiff Blues at Welford Road (7.30pm).

England international fly-half Burns, and Italy international duo Ghiraldini and Barbieri will both run out at Welford Road in Tigers colours for the first time, while fellow summer arrival Seremaia Bai named among the replacements.Ben Youngs will again captain the Tigers after leading the team for the first time in last Saturday's match against Edinburgh.Anthony Allen and Graham Kitchener are involved in their first games of the pre-season programme, with the new Aviva Premiership season now just over a week away.Internationals Manu Tuilagi, Blaine Scully, Vereniki Goneva and Logovi'i Mulipola are all included in the starting line-up as Tigers continue preparations for the opening game of the league season against Newcastle Falcons on September 6.

There is also a place among an enlarged matchday squad for Academy forwards Joe Maksymiw and Charlie Beckett who have just returned from an unbeaten tour to South Africa with England Under-18s.Tickets for Friday's fixture are available now from the Tigers ticket office. Book in person or phone 0844 856 1880 (open until 5pm Thursday and from 8.30am up to kick-off on Friday).This fixture is included in all Tigers season tickets.Please note that the fixture against Doncaster Knights, originally scheduled for 5.30 on Friday, has been cancelled and now Tigers will face only the Blues at Welford Road.

Leicester Tigers (v Cardiff Blues, Friday, 7.30pm)15 Niall Morris14 Blaine Scully13 Manusamoa Tuilagi 12 Anthony Allen11 Vereniki Goneva10 Freddie Burns9 Ben Youngs (c)1 Fraser Balmain2 Leonardo Ghiraldini3 Logovi'i Mulipola4 Sebastian De Chaves5 Graham Kitchener6 Robert Barbieri7 Julian Salvi8 Jordan Crane

Replacements from16 Neil Briggs17 Tom Bristow18 Tiziano Pasquali19 Harry Wells20 Paul Grant21 David Mele22 Seremaia Bai23 Matt SmithHarry ThackerJoe MaksymiwCharlie BeckettSam HarrisonMathew Tait

[formerly known as Sam]

No Tom Youngs again. I worry his wife is still ill. Hope that's not the case and she is Ok and we see him back in a Tigers shirt soon.

Cockers made some interesting comments on Thacker last night, if you're good enough you're big enough and if he'd been in Cockers day he'd have been considered an exceptional player.

[Geordie]

Thacker is an interesting one...he just looks so small.

Surely that could prove an issue...at least Tom Youngs is built like a tank for all his lack of height.

[Geordie]

Whats the crack with Matera then? Discolated shoulder?

Is there any news how long he is out for?

[formerly known as Sam]

No news as of yet as he's still abroad. Tigers physio et ti have a look at him but apparently quite serious. Bloody shame as he was looking to be quite an asset this season.

Thacker is small for this era but probably Cockers ample for his era. He's not struggled in the scrum and makes plenty if tackles. Might not be the brute force option many prop sized hookers are but he's got a lot of skill. Be interesting to see how he goes this season.

[Geordie]

Would you compare him with someone like Titterall?

[Sgt_Pooly]

I really don't think Thacker will make it. He seems massivley underpowered for a hooker even at U20 level. You can see the change in the scrum at U20 level when he plays/doesn't play.

[Welly]

well lets eee how he goes, he should get game time.

[little_badger]

Is the friendly tonight televised at all?

[Welly]

Nope

[Welly]

Rumoured new Away kit

 

 I hate it if it is, why not just Orange and black stripes.

[formerly known as Sam]

You've said that before Sgt and I can't. He has been a bit of a maverick for the under 20s and has scored a few tries around the fringes using his step, pace and slow centre of gravity. It'll certainty be tougher for him than his contemporaries to step up but I doubt Tigers would keep on a hooker that isn't going to make it.

Cockers did make the statement "he's too small but if you're good enough you're big enough and he's good enough".

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