Team for Tiggers
Monahan
By Cheery Cherry
November 28 2013
Shane Monahan makes his first start of the season as Tigers come visiting on a Friday night under lights ... kick off 7.45 live on BT ..
It promises to be an epic game for all kind of reasons and a win would certainly ignite a stuttering season for Glaws.
Monahan was injured in pre-season but is fit to replace Charlie Sharples who has an injured hand. That's not the only change with Dan Robson, Henry Trinder, Darren Dawidiuk and Lua Lokotui all back in the starting XV.
Nigel Davies is hoping the superb atmosphere generated at Kingsholm under lights can inspire his team and blunt Tigers at the set pieces.
For the Tigers Blaine Scully and Marcos Ayerza return from international duty.
Glaws: Rob Cook Shane Monahan, Henry Trinder, Billy Twelvetrees, Jonny May Freddie Burns, Dan Robson, Nick Wood, Darren Dawidiuk, Shaun Knight, Lua Lokotui, James Hudson, Tom Savage (capt), Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan
Reps: Huia Edmonds, Yann Thomas, Rupert Harden, Elliott Stooke, Matt Cox, Jimmy Cowan, Mike Tindall, Martyn Thomas
Tigers: Scott Hamilton, Blaine Scully, Adam Thompstone, Dan Bowden, Miles Benjamin, Toby Flood (c), Ben Youngs, Marcos Ayerza, Tom Youngs, Dan Cole, Louis Deacon, Graham Kitchener, Jamie Gibson, Julian Salvi, Thomas Waldrom.
Reps: Neil Briggs, Boris Stankovich, Fraser Balmain, Sebastian De Chaves, Jordan Crane, Sam Harrison, Owen Williams, Javiah Pohe.
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The more I think about this game, the more I think that Leicester will sneak the win - despite the fact that they effectively have a 3rd XV backline out at the moment.
Gloucester are themselves missing some massive ball carriers and/or defensive units up front in the form of Morgan, Kalamafoni and Qera, who is usually the thorn in Tigers' side. If Leicester play the territory well enough, then I think they can dominate up front - in the loose and in the set piece - and starve Gloucester of ball.
Loose kicks remain the danger though, even if the hosts are missing Sharples and JSD!
I'm expecting at least 2 yellow cards from the Gloucester pack and a fairly unpopular penalty try decision.
My preview and prediction for the game is here: www.ruckedover.blogspot.com