Prem Final Tigers Vs Sarries

[Puja]

Everything good that we've done so far has come through Ford. We've lost if he has to go off.

Puja

Cough.

Thrilled to be eating my words. The Davies yellow was crucial -completely changed the momentum of the match, just as Leicester were starting to fall apart.

Good job Tigers.

Reckon Borthers will crack a smile?

He just looked so relieved when the final whistle went. I think he thought we'd lost it as well.

Puja

[Puja]

Also, was I the only one who heard Farrell screaming "THAT'S THE THIRD FUCKING TIME!" at the top of his voice, at Barnes just before that last Saracens penalty (and Harry Wells saying, "Shut up, you twat," which was amusing, but less important). How can such an experienced player lose his composure like that? Fuming that Barnes just gave him a talking to after penalising Wigglesworth for something far less vituperative in the first half.

Puja

[Banquo]

Everything good that we've done so far has come through Ford. We've lost if he has to go off.

Puja

Cough.

Thrilled to be eating my words. The Davies yellow was crucial -completely changed the momentum of the match, just as Leicester were starting to fall apart.

Good job Tigers.

Reckon Borthers will crack a smile?

He just looked so relieved when the final whistle went. I think he thought we'd lost it as well.

Puja

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

[fivepointer]

Also, was I the only one who heard Farrell screaming "THAT'S THE THIRD FUCKING TIME!" at the top of his voice, at Barnes just before that last Saracens penalty (and Harry Wells saying, "Shut up, you twat," which was amusing, but less important). How can such an experienced player lose his composure like that? Fuming that Barnes just gave him a talking to after penalising Wigglesworth for something far less vituperative in the first half.

Puja

I didnt hear that but i thought Barnes was very lenient with the players today who were chopsing off. There was far too much of it and a penalty might have helped rather than a mild "please dont shout at me" request.

[Puja]

Cough.

Thrilled to be eating my words. The Davies yellow was crucial -completely changed the momentum of the match, just as Leicester were starting to fall apart.

Good job Tigers.

Reckon Borthers will crack a smile?

He just looked so relieved when the final whistle went. I think he thought we'd lost it as well.

Puja

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

We were actually giving a decent bit of ball to Ford in the first 23, admittedly, most of the time just for him to kick instead, but it gave him the opportunity to play what he saw and we did have some solid attacking plays off that. It was only after he went off that we went solely to the 9 kicking.

Puja

[Puja]

Also, was I the only one who heard Farrell screaming "THAT'S THE THIRD FUCKING TIME!" at the top of his voice, at Barnes just before that last Saracens penalty (and Harry Wells saying, "Shut up, you twat," which was amusing, but less important). How can such an experienced player lose his composure like that? Fuming that Barnes just gave him a talking to after penalising Wigglesworth for something far less vituperative in the first half.

Puja

I didnt hear that but i thought Barnes was very lenient with the players today who were chopsing off. There was far too much of it and a penalty might have helped rather than a mild "please dont shout at me" request.

The "Please don't shout at me; I haven't been shouting at you," was in response to Farrell's scream.

There's a reasonable case to be made for Farrell getting a fine for bringing the game into disrepute. The RFU won't do it because they lack the minerals, but it's not a great look to have the big game on terrestrial being coloured by little Timmy learning new words from the England captain screeching at the referee.

Puja

[Banquo]

Thrilled to be eating my words. The Davies yellow was crucial -completely changed the momentum of the match, just as Leicester were starting to fall apart.


He just looked so relieved when the final whistle went. I think he thought we'd lost it as well.

Puja

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

We were actually giving a decent bit of ball to Ford in the first 23, admittedly, most of the time just for him to kick instead, but it gave him the opportunity to play what he saw and we did have some solid attacking plays off that. It was only after he went off that we went solely to the 9 kicking.

Puja

When wiggy could find him

[FKAS]

Cough.

Thrilled to be eating my words. The Davies yellow was crucial -completely changed the momentum of the match, just as Leicester were starting to fall apart.

Good job Tigers.

Reckon Borthers will crack a smile?

He just looked so relieved when the final whistle went. I think he thought we'd lost it as well.

Puja

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

[Banquo]

Thrilled to be eating my words. The Davies yellow was crucial -completely changed the momentum of the match, just as Leicester were starting to fall apart.


He just looked so relieved when the final whistle went. I think he thought we'd lost it as well.

Puja

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

[FKAS]

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

His impact has certainly been a game changer for the squad over the last two seasons. He's a key lieutenant of Borthwick which isn't usual for the head of S&C.

Yeah Wigglesworth won't be starting many (if any) next season but there was a tactic and he delivered. His charge down on Farrell was crucial to the outcome as well.

Tigers have Wigglesworth MK2 in the development squad though with young Sam Edwards. At 19 he's got a bullet pass and a great kicking game but seems allergic to running with the ball so should have a different option to JVP (who reminds me of a young Benny) in future seasons.

[switchskier]

Also, was I the only one who heard Farrell screaming "THAT'S THE THIRD FUCKING TIME!" at the top of his voice, at Barnes just before that last Saracens penalty (and Harry Wells saying, "Shut up, you twat," which was amusing, but less important). How can such an experienced player lose his composure like that? Fuming that Barnes just gave him a talking to after penalising Wigglesworth for something far less vituperative in the first half.

Puja

Excellent use of the word vituperative.

[Spiffy]

Think you went a bit early with the pessimism tbh. Given the game plan, which was 9 kicking as predicted by FKAS, losing Ford proved to not be much of an issue,

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

Passing skills throughout the Premier league are dire. The number of passes thrown at a teammate's head or bootlaces in any given game is unbelievable. And that's before you start talking about the timing and weight of the pass.

[Banquo]

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

His impact has certainly been a game changer for the squad over the last two seasons. He's a key lieutenant of Borthwick which isn't usual for the head of S&C.

Yeah Wigglesworth won't be starting many (if any) next season but there was a tactic and he delivered. His charge down on Farrell was crucial to the outcome as well.

Tigers have Wigglesworth MK2 in the development squad though with young Sam Edwards. At 19 he's got a bullet pass and a great kicking game but seems allergic to running with the ball so should have a different option to JVP (who reminds me of a young Benny) in future seasons.

Er lol, you have the wrong Aled from my post. But good point- takes good s and c to do kick chase for 80. On a serious note, Sinfield has done well.

[Banquo]

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

Passing skills throughout the Premier league are dire. The number of passes thrown at a teammate's head or bootlaces in any given game is unbelievable. And that's before you start talking about the timing and weight of the pass.

Massive bugbear of mine and utterly inexcusable in pro rugby. Faz chucked a bullet at Iziekwes head today and had the gall to berate him, did the same to Billy later.

[Timbo]

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

His impact has certainly been a game changer for the squad over the last two seasons. He's a key lieutenant of Borthwick which isn't usual for the head of S&C.

Aled Davies is the very average Sarries scrum half, Aled Walters is your outstanding fitness guru

[Banquo]

A stroke of genius when all he was asked to do was kick, just as well as his passing was dire so maybe Ford going off actually helped. Kudos for winning however ugly as winning was all that mattered.

Thought your motm was Aled Davies

His impact has certainly been a game changer for the squad over the last two seasons. He's a key lieutenant of Borthwick which isn't usual for the head of S&C.

Aled Davies is the very average Sarries scrum half, Aled Walters is your outstanding fitness guru

Well yes. The former was dire imo

[Puja]

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

I really do have to disagree; I thought Wigglesworth was dire. He's had some good games for Leicester and his box-kicking was excellent, but he just made so many mistakes. From his awful, loopy, inaccurate passing, to giving away the penalty for backchat that should've left us 6-0 down, to getting in Steward's way, to missing the tackle on Mako by overchasing and giving them their first good attack of the half, to slowing down the attack in the second half in their 22, when quick ball would've seen us score, etc. His box-kicking was excellent. Everything else was shocking.

Losing Ford hurt out kicking game to a degree but the counter attacking threat of Burns gave us something else. Really happy for Freddie he's played second fiddle at 10 and 15 without complaint all season and was sensational during the 6N period. Fitting he got his moment in the spotlight. Feel for Ford though he's been great this season, best flyhalf in the league.

Loved the interview with Burns on ITV after the game - he was just incredulous to be there, to have had it all come true, to have been such a pivotal part - it was an utter delight to watch such an elated man. Even better was when Flatman asked a question about, "How did you reset after the drop-goal, knowing that there was going to be a kickoff and the job wasn't done?" Burns looked at him and, absolutely deadpan, said, "Well, you may not know this Flats, but about 4 years ago, I did get something of a lesson about not celebrating too early, so I didn't want it to happen again." Top man.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Flatman asked a question about, "How did you reset after the drop-goal, knowing that there was going to be a kickoff and the job wasn't done?" Burns looked at him and, absolutely deadpan, said, "Well, you may not know this Flats, but about 4 years ago, I did get something of a lesson about not celebrating too early, so I didn't want it to happen again." Top man.

Puja

Brilliant.
The piece in The Times about Leicester’s revival had a couple of sentences about bringing in lively, upbeat players and Burns was name checked by ‘a source’ as the prime example.

[FKAS]

His impact has certainly been a game changer for the squad over the last two seasons. He's a key lieutenant of Borthwick which isn't usual for the head of S&C.

Aled Davies is the very average Sarries scrum half, Aled Walters is your outstanding fitness guru

Well yes. The former was dire imo

Ha sorry, there may have been a couple of celebratory beverages. The high shot really did cost them hard but he's got away with another yellow card against Tigers that should have been red.

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

I really do have to disagree; I thought Wigglesworth was dire. He's had some good games for Leicester and his box-kicking was excellent, but he just made so many mistakes. From his awful, loopy, inaccurate passing, to giving away the penalty for backchat that should've left us 6-0 down, to getting in Steward's way, to missing the tackle on Mako by overchasing and giving them their first good attack of the half, to slowing down the attack in the second half in their 22, when quick ball would've seen us score, etc. His box-kicking was excellent. Everything else was shocking.

Puja

The charge down for the second try was pretty vital to us winning to be fair. It wasn't pretty but it got the job done.

[Puja]

Rewatching the last 10 minutes and a few observations:

1) The break that Andy Christie makes comes off a forward pass. He binds onto Mawi in contact, strips the ball off him and goes through, but by the time the transfer happens, he's actually in front of Mawi. Was screaming it at the television when watching it "live", but it's still obvious now even with my other eye open. Don't blame the ref though; hard to see.

2) Farrell misses a gilt-edged, open-goal of an overlap after that break. He gets the ball and passes to George who takes it up to the 5m line, but had he let George go by and passed wide to Goode instead, there was a 3-on-1 overlap with Steward having to mark Goode, Earl, and Daly in 25m of space.

3) I owe Farrell a bit of an apology - he doesn't actually swear to Barnes like I thought. He does scream at him like a teenager having a tantrum though, so I've given him a penalty or a slap.

4) Steward is a godsdamned wonder. Dropped his first two catches under no pressure and flubbed some early kicks - would not have blamed a young player for going into himself and compounding errors, but he just grew as the game went on. In the last 5 minutes, he took a difficult high ball under huge pressure from Malins, launched a pinpoint accurate kick from his 22 to 1m from the touchline on the Saracens 22, and makes a break that gets us into the 22. Good mental strength.

5) You cannot overstate the chills that went down my spine when, just after the drop goal, the TMO says he wants to check how Isiekwe got concussed. Was terrified that they were going to take it away from us.

6) Credit where it's due, that is a lovely kick-off from Farrell. Judged perfectly and Saracens are highly unlucky not to regather the ball from it.

7) Freddie Burns is still scarred by Toulouse. Anyone else kicks the ball off sideways, but he catches it and runs towards his posts to make sure there's no chance of a slice or a mishit or any freak event which could take this moment away from him. So glad that he got his redemption.

Oh, that was such a good game. Maybe not in terms of the quality of the rugby, but the feelings it elicited were so beautiful. So proud of my team.

Puja

[Timbo]

Just watching the Aled Davies high shot again and it’s an absolute stonewall red. Really poor from Barnes.

[Puja]

Flatman asked a question about, "How did you reset after the drop-goal, knowing that there was going to be a kickoff and the job wasn't done?" Burns looked at him and, absolutely deadpan, said, "Well, you may not know this Flats, but about 4 years ago, I did get something of a lesson about not celebrating too early, so I didn't want it to happen again." Top man.

Puja

Brilliant.
The piece in The Times about Leicester’s revival had a couple of sentences about bringing in lively, upbeat players and Burns was name checked by ‘a source’ as the prime example.

It struck me when watching the celebrations just how close the players appear to be to each other. Crying in each others arms, players picking their teammates up, bringing them in, not just pleased to be winning, but pleased to be doing it with their mates. Definitely seems to be a really good environment.

Aled Davies is the very average Sarries scrum half, Aled Walters is your outstanding fitness guru

Well yes. The former was dire imo

Ha sorry, there may have been a couple of celebratory beverages. The high shot really did cost them hard but he's got away with another yellow card against Tigers that should have been red.

Borthwick's selection of Wigglesworth turned out to be a stroke of genius. His best game for Tigers by an absolute country mile.

I really do have to disagree; I thought Wigglesworth was dire. He's had some good games for Leicester and his box-kicking was excellent, but he just made so many mistakes. From his awful, loopy, inaccurate passing, to giving away the penalty for backchat that should've left us 6-0 down, to getting in Steward's way, to missing the tackle on Mako by overchasing and giving them their first good attack of the half, to slowing down the attack in the second half in their 22, when quick ball would've seen us score, etc. His box-kicking was excellent. Everything else was shocking.

Puja

The charge down for the second try was pretty vital to us winning to be fair. It wasn't pretty but it got the job done.

I has forgotten about the charge-down being him. Plus his disguised pass, to sucker Saracens into looking open while Wiese went blind, was very tasty. Fair enough - he did other good things apart from box kicking, but he did still make an awful lot of mistakes.

Puja

[Timbo]

I has forgotten about the charge-down being him. Plus his disguised pass, to sucker Saracens into looking open while Wiese went blind, was very tasty. Fair enough - he did other good things apart from box kicking, but he did still make an awful lot of mistakes.

Puja

The Weise try looked like a set move to me, although only seen it live and one brief replay.

[Puja]

I has forgotten about the charge-down being him. Plus his disguised pass, to sucker Saracens into looking open while Wiese went blind, was very tasty. Fair enough - he did other good things apart from box kicking, but he did still make an awful lot of mistakes.

Puja

The Weise try looked like a set move to me, although only seen it live and one brief replay.

Oh, absolutely, but it was a very well planned and exquisitely executed set move. It's still tasty even if it's pre-called.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

I has forgotten about the charge-down being him. Plus his disguised pass, to sucker Saracens into looking open while Wiese went blind, was very tasty. Fair enough - he did other good things apart from box kicking, but he did still make an awful lot of mistakes.

Puja

The Weise try looked like a set move to me, although only seen it live and one brief replay.

Same here. Almost definitely off the training paddock and the detail was glorious.