Beware the Wounded Tigers?
By apb
March 10 2006
Leicester Tigers are once again decimated by international call-ups. The Tykes are bouyed by the news of Iain Balshaw's long awaited return to fitness. The Tigers return to Welford Road on the back of a disappointing loss in the Powergen Cup semi-final, whereas the Tykes have had a nice weekend off.
But of course, it's a foregone conclusion even so. At fifth in the table, Leicester should be able to make short work of the team at the bottom of the pile. A five pointer.
Not if you read the Tigers' sportnetwork message board. There's a decided air of doom and gloom about the place. "I just can't see the club shaking off this malaise that surround every performance right now. We have lost the ability to perform for a whole game it seems and are constantly getting on the wrong side of the referee. The number of penalties we are conceeding is a match loosing (sic) factor no doubt about it.", says Wils. Nell says "Leeds do seem full of confidence so we'll have to make sure we don't gift them points." Even the Tigers' official site seems to be cautious - "this is a massive test for the team" and "a bigger match than the Powergen Semi-final", quoting the players. Back to Sporknetwork again, and the mischievous Melton Tiger heads a thread with the title "we are underdogs tomorrow".
And on our own jolly old website, the regulars seem to be cautiously optimistic. Oopnorth says "We clearly have the capability to beat a depleted Tigers team, especially as our pack is a more solid unit than in the past", and John R says "Our current form is very good. We beat Sale on play, (though sadly not the result!!) so Leicester should be quite possible!" Simonh suggests he'd be happy with a bonus point for a narrow loss, but Oopnorth chastises him "Too narrow an ambition. A win is not just needed for this season; in such circumstances it's a pointer for what we can take into next season. This is a great chance to get a first win at Welford Road and we should take it".
So that's a round-up of what the regulars of both messageboards think. "But," I hear you ask, "what do YOU think about the game, dear editor?"
I have to be honest and say that I'm in the optimistic camp. As has been pointed out by our dear Director of Rugby in the press, we've scored six tries in our last two away games, and we've shown good spirit and style ever since the dominant win over Cardiff Blues. With Balshaw back and with most of the "children" - as Markc likes to call the Academy graduates - able to stay with us, we clearly have momentum to take into the game. The loss of Gavin Kerr and Gordon Ross to that pesky Scottish International team is mitigated by the quality we're able to bring in as cover. (Ironically, it's Kerr who starts on Saturday, but finds it tricky to get into the Leeds starting line-up, whereas Ross is ever present at fly-half for Leeds but only makes the Scottish bench).
Leicester have had a poor lead into this game. They've had to chop and change their team due to the internationals much more than Leeds, and have had that semi-final contest to fit in as well. That being said, they have quality all the way down their squad, as I alluded to in my preview of the opposite fixture earlier in the season. You always have to be wary of any Leicester team, particularly one that has suffered a nasty defeat so recently. They'll be at home, so a (nearly) packed Welford Road will buoy the home side and help them along.
As I said though, I'm optimistic. I believe Leeds can get their first win at Welford Road, and with a bit of a following wind, could even get the try-scoring bonus. Shame I can't be there...
Teams
| Leicester Tigers | Leeds Tykes | |
| S. Vesty | 15 | Tom Biggs |
| A. Tuilagi | 14 | Andre Snyman |
| L. Lloyd | 13 | Chris Jones |
| O. Smith | 12 | Lee Blackett |
| D. Hipkiss | 11 | Chris Bell |
| A. Healy | 10 | Roland de Marigny |
| S. Bemand | 9 | Justin Marshall |
| G. Rowntree | 1 | Kees Lensing |
| J. Buckland | 2 | Gordon Bulloch |
| M. Holford | 3 | Mike Shelley |
| L. Cullen | 4 | Stuart Hooper (c) |
| B. Kay | 5 | Tom Palmer |
| L. Deacon | 6 | Dan Hyde |
| W. Johnson | 7 | Richard Parks |
| S. Jennings | 8 | Nathan Thomas |
| E. Taukafa | 16 | Rayno Gerber |
| D. Morris | 17 | Rob Rawlinson |
| J. Hamilton | 18 | Chris Murphy |
| H. Tuilagi | 19 | Jon Dunbar |
| W. Skinner | 20 | Mark McMillan |
| R. Broadfoot | 21 | Iain Balshaw |
| A. Dodge | 22 | Andy Craig |
Referee:Chris White