Champions Cup Pool 1: Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers, 14 October

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Glasgow Warriors v Leicester Tigers
Friday 14 October 2016
KO: 19:45
Scotstoun Stadium

Live on BT Sport / beIN Sports

Referee Mathieu Raynal (France)
Touch Judge 1 Salam Attalah (France)
Touch Judge 2 Thomas Dejean (France)
TMO Philippe Bonhoure (France)
Citing Commissioner Patrice Frantschi (France)

A. Head to Head

Played 2, Leicester Won 2, No Draws

B. Recent Form

20/01/2001
Leicester Tigers 41 - 26 Glasgow Warriors
EUROPEAN CUP

15/10/2000
Glasgow Warriors 21 - 33 Leicester Tigers
EUROPEAN CUP

C. Teams

Glasgow Warriors 

Stuart Hogg, Leonardo Sarto, Alex Dunbar, Sam Johnson, Rory Hughes, Finn Russell, Henry Pyrgos,Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Tim Swinson, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Ryan Wilson, Josh Strauss.

Replacements: Pat MacArthur, Alex Allan, Sila Puafisi, Matt Fagerson, Lewis Wynne, Ali Price, Mark Bennett, Sean Lamont.

Leicester Tigers

Telusa Veainu, Adam Thompstone, Mathew Tait, Matt Toomua, Tom Brady, Owen Williams, Ben Youngs, Ellis Genge, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Dom Barrow, Graham Kitchener, Mike Fitzgerald, Brendon O'Connor, Lachlan McCaffrey.

Replacements: Harry Thacker, Logovi'i Mulipola, Greg Bateman, Ed Slater, Will Evans, Sam Harrison, Freddie Burns, Peter Betham.

LondonTiger wrote:

Welly wrote: Glasgow by 20.

30

That's a numberwang

LondonTiger wrote:

Welly wrote: Glasgow by 20.

30

I think Glasgow will score thirty something points. I don't know how many we'll score in response.

Am I the only person that is cautious of the 'Glasgow will romp it' chat?

Leicester are one of the top teams in England - this is a huge test for Glasgow. I win of any kind would be a fantastic achivement.

Not sure why Seymour's not playing?

Glasgow Warriors

15 Stuart Hogg

14 Leonardo Sarto
13 Alex Dunbar
12 Sam Johnson
11 Rory Hughes

10 Finn Russell
9 Henry Pyrgos (Co-Captain)

1 Gordon Reid
2 Fraser Brown
3 Zander Fagerson
4 Tim Swinson
5 Jonny Gray (Co-Captain)
6 Robert Harley
7 Ryan Wilson
8 Josh Strauss

Substitutes

16 Pat MacArthur
17 Alex Allan
18 Sila Puafisi
19 Matt Fagerson
20 Lewis Wynne
21 Ali Price
22 Mark Bennett
23 Sean Lamont

He's injured

Feck. Sorry should have read the previous page. Gutted. Hughes just doesnt carry the same threat.

Beefy backline, particularly Jonson and Dunbar as a centre pairing. Gonna be a cracker! Overwhelming feeling however is that Glasgow need to raise their game for this one.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Am I the only person that is cautious of the 'Glasgow will romp it' chat?

Leicester are one of the top teams in England - this is a huge test for Glasgow. I win of any kind would be a fantastic achivement.

Nah, Glasgow at home on that pitch should walk this TBH.

I think Glasgow by 25 could be pretty accurate.

I'm definitely in the cautious camp - maybe it's my upbringing watching Leicester as this unstoppable giant of utter rugby I am a twonk of the highest order-dom, but I can't see Glasgow walking away with this, even if I think we can win.

Plenty of threat in that Tigers side. I'm just annoyed I'm out in the Hebrides this week and unable to get to Scotstoun.

By the way, "ooo sorry, 42 is not a number."

Sigh, buggered by the swear filter.

I reckon Leicester could easily edge it. Depends how hungry Glasgow are. I think we'll need Dunbar to play as extra flanker in this match. Fraser Brown at hooker is an excellent call by Toonie especially considering his performance (I know it's not the same level) against Dragons. So we could potentially have two more "flankers" on the field. So I would say as long as they're up for it we stand a good chance, god knows we need to give this pack as much support as we can! If one of them gets injured then I can see Glasgow getting put away in the last 20.

This said Leicester could have a howler - it is a game I will follow with close interest for sure.

I do not understand people saying Glasgow by 25. Leicester are really powerful and frankly Glasgow have not hit massive form yet. I think it's going to be very close and wouldn't be at all surprised if Leicester win.

mckay1402 wrote:I do not understand people saying Glasgow by 25.  Leicester are really powerful and frankly Glasgow have not hit massive form yet.  I think it's going to be very close and wouldn't be at all surprised if Leicester win.  

Glad I'm not the only one!

Think Leicester have the bench that, if injury strikes or it is close at the hour mark, they can take the game away. It really depends on how rapidly some of the injured players have come back. Glasgow especially can't afford pack injuries and Leicester could easily lose 2 of their back row judging by what has been said earlier.

Both teams have some players who can generate something from nothing in Hogg, Veainu, Allan...

mckay1402 wrote:I do not understand people saying Glasgow by 25.  Leicester are really powerful and frankly Glasgow have not hit massive form yet.  I think it's going to be very close and wouldn't be at all surprised if Leicester win.  

You've not seen Leicester defend this season. Wasps, Sale and Gloucester all scored 30 points or more against us. We beat Newcastle by a solitary point. We aren't any near to being a powerful and cohesive team at present. We also struggle on artificial pitches.

Good old Alex Allan, the modern day Iwan Tukalo

Nice Leicester mind games. It’s one aspect of them they are very good at.

Leicester have won games this season they should have lost and if I was a Glasgow fan that would worry me because Leicester prey on any mental fragility.

Now perhaps fortunately for Glasgow they have a stronger team on paper than Gloucester and Newcastle but any sign of weakness will mean the Tigers will pounce.

The pressure is firmly on Glasgow, they are at home, their record in Europe is unimpressive so there is an expectation to turn it around, Leicester aren’t expecting to win.

Leicester know how to win in Europe.

They are due a big performance.


Sam makes a very good point about Tigers not liking artificial pitches though.

Grrrrrrrr. Accidents the motorway means I missed my flight. Managed to get last seat on the remaining flight today, but at hideous cost. Now to hope I get away from my meeting tomorrow ok. While I like LLTNP do not want to be stuck there and miss game.

1.Reid - Cole
2.Brown - Young
3.Fagerson - Genge
4.Swinson - Barrow
5.Gray - Kitchener
6.Harley - Fitzgerald
7.Wilson - O'Connor
8.Strauss - McCaffery

That's where it will be won and lost. Could go either way. Strauss' carrying could be a big distinction between the two packs, especially on an artificial pitch.

Set-piece will decide it IMO. If odds are even at scrum and line-out then Glasgow should win easily. If Tigers can nullify the Warriors maul (something Tigers have been very inconsistent with) and get on top at the scrum then we should edge it.

With Harley in the line-out with Gray and Strauss, there is enough for the line-out to be okay. The scrum for me depends on Reid. I think Fagerson has improved and can nullify Genge easier with Gray (120kg+) behind him than Reid can Cole with Swinson (105-110kg).

If the forwards can get a little go forward, I expect Dunbar, Hughes and Johnson to test the smaller centres. They are not bosh merchants either so Leicester will have to hit higher and that can be fatal.

Barrow and Kitchener are both big units both 120KG + and 6ft 6+.

Genge v Zander will be a great contest, Genge scrum has come on leaps and bounds this season.

Genge has been mentored by Ayerza, he was praising the Puma the other day in the paper. Genge is a very powerful player for someone his age and if he can develop Ayerza's technique then he could end up bettering Marcos's 66 caps.

There's a lot of weight in the Tigers engine room, even the lineout lock Kitchener is 19 stone. With Fitzgerald at 6 we have three locks and two lineout leaders. The other two backrowers jump as well.

Our maul defence is hit and miss  (either very good or nonexistent) and we can't defend a quick turnover so Glasgow should be targeting those areas. An arm wrestle won't be a good option for them as we have plenty of forwards and a generally good phase play defence.

Fascinating game this one.  On paper Tigers look the stronger to me, but they are not quite firing at the moment.  I can see Glasgow winning this one but I reckon it will be close.

Welly wrote: Barrow and Kitchener are both big units both 120KG + and 6ft 6+.

Genge v Zander will be a great contest, Genge scrum has come on leaps and bounds this season.

Agreed. I was thinking about that contest this morning. Great to see two young and highly promising props going head to head.

Have got the beers in the fridge - looking forward to this.

Is Genge now the usual starter? I expect him and Gordy to have a polite conversation during the match based on his history at Bristol. They may even share a cuddle or two.

Swinson is the undersized one but player weights are an interesting mix. On the Leicester website, Kitchener is 111kg and on wiki 122kg. Harley is a 6 who can play lock which I assume is the opposite of Fitzgerald. The style of play Glasgow have means we will not be the ones trying to get into the arm wrestle. It is whether Leicester can turn it that way.

Hazel Sapling wrote:Is Genge now the usual starter? I expect him and Gordy to have a polite conversation during the match based on his history at Bristol. They may even share a cuddle or two.

Swinson is the undersized one but player weights are an interesting mix. On the Leicester website, Kitchener is 111kg and on wiki 122kg. Harley is a 6 who can play lock which I assume is the opposite of Fitzgerald. The style of play Glasgow have means we will not be the ones trying to get into the arm wrestle. It is whether Leicester can turn it that way.

I would say based on form this season Genge is first choice, but he has a temper on him.

RE Kitchener when Thorn was here I remember him talking about Kitchener being so athletic despite weighing 19stone. He certainly isn't 17 stone 6, which is tiny for a 6ft 6 lock really.

Fitzgerald is more a lock than a 6 but played a fair amount of super rugby @ both so is experianced enough. (I think a lot of 6's now tend to be able to play both).

Does anybody know if the Welsh trio are likely to start for Leicester ?

Jack Roberts
Owen Williams
Luke Hamilton

If they are it might be a game worth watching.

Williams is def starting @10.

Hamilton is a maybe depending on if O'Connor and/or McCaffrey are actually injured.

Is Hamilton considered an open-side? I seem to remember him playing across the back-row at U20 level. I'm not sure if he's proficient at the breakdown - but if I was to give a like-for-like comparison then I'd say he is a bit of a Robshaw (with better decision making) . Is he good enough to cement a starting place in that Tigers back-row yet?

He prob viewed more as a 6/8 at Tigers with O'Connor and Evans more traditional fetching 7's and link players.

I think he could have a shot at 8 potentially, his biggest plus is his tackling.

But McCaffrey has been brilliant start of this season.

mikey_dragon wrote:Is Hamilton considered an open-side? I seem to remember him playing across the back-row at U20 level. I'm not sure if he's proficient at the breakdown - but if I was to give a like-for-like comparison then I'd say he is a bit of a Robshaw (with better decision making) . Is he good enough to cement a starting place in that Tigers back-row yet?

He's been signed as competition for McCaffery who was an unprecedented success last season and is doing well again this term. As Welly says his tackle stats meant he was a stand out in France last year and he's offered similar from blindside this season. Hasn't carried the ball enough to really threaten taking the eight shirt. If he ups his aggression and starts hitting lines off the players around him (which is where McCaffery stands out) He could find himself in more regular action. At 6 he's always up against it as Tigers like another lineout option there with Williams (who is a beast) and Fitzgerald both better jumpers.

Owen Williams seems to have taken hold of the ten shirt and is partnered with Toomua at 12. Be interesting to watch that combination in action. Roberts may come on to the bench if there is a back line reshuffle with at least one fitness test pending back there. Hamilton is in a similar position with two fitness tests expected in the backrow.

I have no idea where this swagger from my soapdodger brethren has suddenly come from.

I am not overly convinced by the start to our season at all. We always struggle against big, nuggety packs and this is certainly one of those. We are playing Johnson in the midfield who, whilst he has played well recently with Dunbar and is a quality club player, is an Australian 'A' international facing off against a 33 full cap Wallaby. There are two notable omissions in the Mad Crayon instead of Simone Favaro whom the press suggested would be fit but hasn't been selected and Tommy Seymour, whose absence has deflated me completely. No offence to Hughes but Seymour is challenging for a Lions spot on current form and is a completely different universe to the youngfeller. Huge let off for Leicester, that.

Will we win enough ball? Not convinced although we are always strong at home. And it's been said plenty above - our bench is very, very weak in comparison.

Good luck to both sides.

I for one am not a confident Glasgow supporter.........

Is there any place good for a pint after the game, preferably Northeast as walking back to Kelvinside?

formerly known as Sam wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:Is Hamilton considered an open-side? I seem to remember him playing across the back-row at U20 level. I'm not sure if he's proficient at the breakdown - but if I was to give a like-for-like comparison then I'd say he is a bit of a Robshaw (with better decision making) . Is he good enough to cement a starting place in that Tigers back-row yet?

He's been signed as competition for McCaffery who was an unprecedented success last season and is doing well again this term. As Welly says his tackle stats meant he was a stand out in France last year and he's offered similar from blindside this season. Hasn't carried the ball enough to really threaten taking the eight shirt. If he ups his aggression and starts hitting lines off the players around him (which is where McCaffery stands out) He could find himself in more regular action. At 6 he's always up against it as Tigers like another lineout option there with Williams (who is a beast) and Fitzgerald both better jumpers.

Owen Williams seems to have taken hold of the ten shirt and is partnered with Toomua at 12. Be interesting to watch that combination in action. Roberts may come on to the bench if there is a back line reshuffle with at least one fitness test pending back there. Hamilton is in a similar position with two fitness tests expected in the backrow.

Never heard of Jack Roberts. Owen Williams would be a wanted signature in Wales right now though, and it also seems Halfpenny still contemplating a return home. The future's bright, the future's orange .

I am not confident George knowing our record but I think there is a feeling that this is a weakened Leicester team that has not been clicking. Toomua has not played so far for Leicester and they have a small backline. As injured as we are in the back row, Leicester are in the same position. The front 5 scare me but ultimately we don't need to beat them there. We just need to be near parity.

If we can't do it tonight, we have to start asking whether this is all we can ever be. A tough out as 3rd in the group and competing for top 4 Pro 12.

Mikey, Jack Roberts is a centre formerly of the Scarlets and Rotherham. Short and stocky with a surprising turn of pace. Decent squad player but hasn't kicked on past that currently.

The Tigers centres aren't that big. Thompstone on the wing is more of a unit than you think and Brady on the other side and Toomua are known for punching above their weight in the tackle department. Certainly nowhere near the physicality of last season when we were deploying Smith and Manu (combined weight 33/34 stone).

Roberts has kicked on this season IMO, he has looked a more complete player, Although can't see him being a starter for us.


I have to agree with the Glasgow fans here about a comfortable Warriors win. (Agree with the 20-30 point win).

He's a decent player Welly. I'd have no qualms dropping him in the midfield, he can certainly do a job. As you say, he's unlikely to become a regular starter. Be interesting to see if he stays in the summerand whether we look to add more options in the midfield or rely on Roberts and Smith to fill the gaps until Thacker and utility man Worth come through. 

Interesting to see Cilliers, Worth and Thacker all playing for Notts this weekend with Yawayawa. 

The bookies have Glasgow as favourites as does everybody else who's seen Tigers defence this season. Fingers crossed for a good game and an upset though.

George Carlin wrote:I have no idea where this swagger from my soapdodger brethren has suddenly come from.

I am not overly convinced by the start to our season at all. We always struggle against big, nuggety packs and this is certainly one of those. We are playing Johnson in the midfield who, whilst he has played well recently with Dunbar and is a quality club player, is an Australian 'A' international facing off against a 33 full cap Wallaby. There are two notable omissions in the Mad Crayon instead of Simone Favaro whom the press suggested would be fit but hasn't been selected and Tommy Seymour, whose absence has deflated me completely. No offence to Hughes but Seymour is challenging for a Lions spot on current form and is a completely different universe to the youngfeller. Huge let off for Leicester, that.

Will we win enough ball? Not convinced although we are always strong at home. And it's been said plenty above - our bench is very, very weak in comparison.

Good luck to both sides.

Like you GC , I tend to worry when Glasgow/Scotland fans get overconfident: it usually leads to a severe case of the GubbedanMalkied syndrome.

However, this is pretty much our first choice pack. You could argue Puafisi over Zander the Pretty but I think young Zander's form merits the start. The back row is the one which started the Pro 12 final against Munster. We could also be going into the latter stages of the game with Wynne, Fagerson the Younger and Batman as the back row and that combo has lots of pace and aggression. So, while I don't think Tiggers will be anything but uncompromising and difficult in the pack I don't think we should feel inferior in any way.

With the exception of Tennessee Tam the backs are all there on form. Johnson and Grigg were seen by most people as third choice in the centres at the start of the season but both have really stepped up: Grigg can feel very unlucky to be in the stand tonight. If Dancer doesn't last the full 80 we could see Johnson-Dunbar-Bennett as a midfield. Lots of creativity there.

Finally, as Simone Favaro said before the Ulster game when asked who in the opposition Glasgow should fear.....

"We are at home.
We are Glasgow
We are Warriors.
We fear no-one."

Def agree with the BT lot about Glasgow clear favourites, going to be really tough for Tigers.

Certainly is Welly. I'm hoping for a good game and a LBP. 

Mark Bennett comes in as Dunbar drops out at the last minute.

Well it's a nervy start from both sides.

Finn Russell kicking magnificently. Dim penalty from the Glasgow tighthead to give Owen Williams an easy three pointer.

TV has balls of steel.

Lucky to get away with a yellow.

Very lucky boy.

Toomua is a very lucky boy. Could easily have been red.

So is the second Glasgow player in who goes in with a shoulder on Toomua. Seen them given a yellow.

Tasty game so far

Standard friday night in Glasgow so far....

Both teams very fired up. Excellent.

Wilson then concedes a dumb penalty. Not retreating is just lazy.