THE TIGERS WHO CAME TO TEA
By The Saracens
March 2 2022
Two thirds of the way through the 6 nations (at least as far as the Premiership is concerned) and we’ve won 2 and lost 2 with 2 to play picking up 11 points along the way. Given our injuries and international all ups, most of us would probably have taken that in January. This Saturday sees our biggest test during this particular phase when the Tigers come to tea! What a shame that yet again, potentially one of the games of the season will be played out without its superstars. I know that when the fixtures come out nobody knows who will be where in the table but what a shame first v second is scheduled during the international window.
Best news is the return of Mark McCall after a month on sick leave. In his absence the coaching team have done a splendid job but the master is now back in charge. The team effectively had a week off last week with Saturday being a bye-week so one hopes their batteries are recharged and they’re ready for the fight. Leicester have played 5 games over this period, losing to Sale but then beating Worcester, saints, bath & Gloucester. Both teams have lost players to their national teams: Leicester will be without Ben Youngs, Freddie Steward and Ellis Genge (?) although Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes and most surprisingly George Ford have been released back to the Tigers. Sarries will be without Maro Itoje, Jamie George, Max Malins, & Nick Isiekwe but Elliott Daly will be available along with hard working Nick Tompkins and Andy Christie.
Former Sarrie Chris Ashton is now a Tiger as is Richard Wigglesworth. If either get on the pitch I’m sure they’ll be applauded by the faithful. Leicester still have a formidable side and a selection dilemma at 10 where Ford may be preferred to Freddie Burns who has been having a great time over the past few weeks. The backs also boast Nemani Nadolo, promising scrum half Jack van Poortvliet, Dan Kelly & Guy Porter in the centres. Tigers have a more than useful pack, even without Genge, including Jasper Wiese, Hanro Liebenberg, Eli Snyman and Harry Wells.
Sarries will hopefully be able to call on Aled Davies after several weeks out with injury. Duncan Taylor could also be available. The coaches seem to believe in Manu at 10 despite a number of less than convincing performances. With the availability of Daly and against a team like Tigers, I would seriously think about giving Goodey the 10 shirt and moving Daly to fullback. I’d also be tempted to use poor old Tompkins alongside Loz with Maitland and Segun on the wings
I assume the front row will be unchanged. Eddie’s strange selection policy means that this time Nick isiekwe is retained. In his absence I would go with Swinson and Hunter Hill as locks. The back row is tricky. Theo, who goes from strength to strength, has to start at 6 and Billy at 8. I’d be tempted to go with our newly capped Scot Andy Christie at 7 ahead of Jackson Wray but a close call that one.
We need a big improvement on last week. We need to mind our discipline and we need to play for the full 80+ minutes. We need to make our tackles and take our chances. Leicester aren’t top of the league for nothing but Sarries have home advantage. It will be close. It will probably be nail biting. It might all turn on a single pass or missed tackle. It might be as close as a bounce of the ball. The availability of George Ford could be the deciding factor but I still think we can just do this. We have to be at our very best though. Here’s hoping that when these Tigers come to tea they haven’t read the book!
The tiger said “excuse me I’m very hungry, do you think I could have tea with you?”
He ate all the food in the cupboards and drank all the water from the taps. Then he said “thank you and goodbye”. Next day Sophie and mummy bought a very big tin of tiger food in case he came again, but he never did.
Referee: Craig Maxwell-Keys assisted by Adam Leal & Phil Watters. TMO is David Rose.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2022:03:16:13:31:52 by Darraghgirl.
If we don't play Manu at 10 I hope its Lozo. Better defence and doesn't compound selection issues by putting Daly at FB. Davies back would be a boost. Lock feels like an area where we may struggle so massive shifts needed from those selected.
Quote:OldMarovian
Earl injured? If not he starts at 7 for me.
If we don't play Manu at 10 I hope its Lozo. Better defence and doesn't compound selection issues by putting Daly at FB. Davies back would be a boost. Lock feels like an area where we may struggle so massive shifts needed from those selected.
How could I forget Ben Earl!!! Getting too old for this.
Maybe Theo to lock and Ben and Jackson to start?
Quote:The Bard
Scrum half availability not clear. Think it’s too early for Aled and Van Zyl didn’t look great going off against Irish. Could leave us with De Haas and Sam Bryan who I saw playing at Bishops Stortford on Saturday…
Fortunately Davis seems to be fit
Quote:samlee99
Quote:myleftboot
Considering the embarrassment of riches we have had at nine for years, seeing Wiggy on their bench is annoying!
+1.
