Pre-season friendlies

[Puja]

Leicester squad to face Jersey Reds
STARTING XV: 15 Anthony Watson, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Phil Cokanasiga, 12 Jimmy Gopperth, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Freddie Burns, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Francois van Wyk, 2 Charlie Clare, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Harry Wells, 5 Eli Snyman, 6 George Martin, 7 Olly Cracknell, 8 Hanro Liebenberg (c)

REPLACEMENTS: Tom Cowan-Dickie, Joe Taufete’e, James Cronin, James Whitcombe, Will Hurd, Nephi Leatigaga, Cameron Henderson, Finn Carnduff, Sean Jansen, Sam Edwards, Bryce Hegarty, Matt Scott, Joe Browning, Kini Murimurivalu, Lachlan Shelley

Good to see Cokanasiga and Watson both fit to start (although bizarre experiment putting the latter at fullback when he's never played there before*). Cameron Henderson another one coming out of the black hole of injury news as well. No sign of Kelly or Ilione though, which is upsetting.

Interesting that PCokanasiga's been put in at 13 - I'd had him down as mainly a 12 (although he's the obvious choice for outside when between him and Gopperth) so it's neat to see the versatility. Fun to see Carnduff being involved as well - okay, so it's a big squad and none of the England players are back, but good to see him impressing the senior coaches.

Puja

[FKAS]

There's a few missing Green, Saumaki, Ilione and Kelly. Hopefully just a week or so behind in pre season or have knocks the coaches don't want to risk. I'd hope all four are back for the Falcons pre season game.

Otherwise it's a bit of a statement side isn't it. We mean business. Quite like the idea of PC at 13, I know all his starts at LI came at 12 but he's quick and has got good footwork. I can imagine that Borthwick has plans for him to become more of a utility back and comments after he signed might support that. Good to see Henderson back raring to go (if you haven't watched his injury diary on YouTube yet then do because it's worth it). It's a BIG backrow when Cracknell at 6ft3 and 17.5 stone is the little one of the three.

[Which Tyler]

15 Anthony Watson

I know it's pre-season against a Championship club; but it's still his first match for a new team - brave to play him out of position like that!

[FKAS]

The unprecedented gamble with Watson at fullback continues, this game is a free stream in the Tigers website.

STARTING XV:
15 Anthony Watson
14 Chris Ashton
13 Matt Scott
12 Jimmy Gopperth
11 Harry Potter
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs (vc)
1 James Cronin
2 Charlie Clare
3 Dan Cole (vc)
4 Harry Wells
5 Eli Snyman
6 George Martin
7 Hanro Liebenberg (c)
8 Sean Jansen

REPLACEMENTS: Tom Horton, Joe Taufete’e, James Whitcombe, Francois van Wyk, Will Hurd, Nephi Leatigaga, Finn Carnduff, Lewis Chessum, Cameron Henderson; Sam Edwards, Richard Wigglesworth, Bryce Hegarty, Phil Cokanasiga, Kini Murimurivalu, Nemani Nadolo, Hosea Saumaki, Jed Walsh

Newcastle XV: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Vereimi Qorowale, 13 Ben Stevenson, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Zach Kerr, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Michael Young; 1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Charlie Maddison, 3 Mark Tampin, 4 George Merrick, 5 Josh Peters, 6 Gary Graham, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Tom Marshall

Replacements: 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Conor Kenny, 4 Matthew Dalton, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Matt Deehan, 7 Marcus Tiffen, 8 Carl Fearns, 9 Josh Barton, 9 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 10 Josh Thomas, 11 Nathan Earle, 12 Ewan Greenlaw, 13 George Wacokecoke, 14 Adam Radwan, 15 Iwan Stephens

[pandion]

The unprecedented gamble with Watson at fullback continues, this game is a free stream in the Tigers website.

STARTING XV:
15 Anthony Watson
14 Chris Ashton
13 Matt Scott
12 Jimmy Gopperth
11 Harry Potter
10 Freddie Burns
9 Ben Youngs (vc)
1 James Cronin
2 Charlie Clare
3 Dan Cole (vc)
4 Harry Wells
5 Eli Snyman
6 George Martin
7 Hanro Liebenberg (c)
8 Sean Jansen

REPLACEMENTS: Tom Horton, Joe Taufete’e, James Whitcombe, Francois van Wyk, Will Hurd, Nephi Leatigaga, Finn Carnduff, Lewis Chessum, Cameron Henderson; Sam Edwards, Richard Wigglesworth, Bryce Hegarty, Phil Cokanasiga, Kini Murimurivalu, Nemani Nadolo, Hosea Saumaki, Jed Walsh

Newcastle XV: 15 Alex Tait, 14 Vereimi Qorowale, 13 Ben Stevenson, 12 Pete Lucock, 11 Zach Kerr, 10 Brett Connon, 9 Michael Young; 1 Logovi’i Mulipola, 2 Charlie Maddison, 3 Mark Tampin, 4 George Merrick, 5 Josh Peters, 6 Gary Graham, 7 Will Welch (c), 8 Tom Marshall

Replacements: 1 Phil Brantingham, 2 George McGuigan, 3 Conor Kenny, 4 Matthew Dalton, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Matt Deehan, 7 Marcus Tiffen, 8 Carl Fearns, 9 Josh Barton, 9 Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti, 10 Josh Thomas, 11 Nathan Earle, 12 Ewan Greenlaw, 13 George Wacokecoke, 14 Adam Radwan, 15 Iwan Stephens

What time please ?
I think Gloucester are playing Leinster or Munster tonight as well.

[Puja]

Still no Kelly

Puja

[FKAS]

No Kelly, Ilione and Green so far which is a bit of a concern. Ilione in particular is one I was hoping to see get a go during pre season plus we could do with the backrow numbers, Cracknell is missing this week. Hopefully Kelly isn't to serious and we will see him back soon.


Kick off is 7pm.

[Which Tyler]

FB_IMG_1661529917625.jpg

[Puja]

Good to see Max Ojomoh fit and firing and fun to be partially vindicated in my prediction that Francis has been signed as a 10 (although there's not too many other options).

A fair few names missing from those lineups - I'm assuming Bath easing a few players into their preseason. I found it odd that Leicester played their first pre-season last week and aim to have a gap before the season starts, whilst everyone else only seems to be starting this week. Wonder if that's a Walthers thing about the conditioning and it's why we're doing different to everyone else.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Pretty sure it was stated that Francis was signed as a FH.
It's just that doesn't make him a specialist FH, or negate the last 6 years of barely ever playing FH.

[Banquo]

last 6 years of barely ever playing

or.....

[Mellsblue]

The purists’ East Mids derby is on this weekend:

[Puja]

El Booj at 10?!

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Both 10s injured but a motm performance and early call up for the British and Irish Lions is the only logical conclusion to his weekend.

[FKAS]

Good to see Max Ojomoh fit and firing and fun to be partially vindicated in my prediction that Francis has been signed as a 10 (although there's not too many other options).

A fair few names missing from those lineups - I'm assuming Bath easing a few players into their preseason. I found it odd that Leicester played their first pre-season last week and aim to have a gap before the season starts, whilst everyone else only seems to be starting this week. Wonder if that's a Walthers thing about the conditioning and it's why we're doing different to everyone else.

Puja

Having watched the first half Vs Falcons some of our players were looking pretty leggy by 30 mins. They look like they've been worked hard all week. Could well be a training thing, all based around decision making whilst really tired. Week to then freshen up before the season starts.

Newcastle 14, what a tit. Two yellow cards and both could have easily been red. Smales was trying not to send him off as it was a friendly, understandable as Tigers are letting Falcons back up 15 for the second half. Think it's his Falcons debut and he managed 10 mins on the field, tackled the legs of a jumping player at full speed and then a flying shoulder instead of a cover tackle.

[Peej]

Is that the Fijian bloke signed from the Army?

[FKAS]

Is that the Fijian bloke signed from the Army?

Yep. Game finished for him after 21 mins and ten of that was spent in the bin. His coaches will have some choice words I'm sure.

[Peej]

Wasps have put 50 points on Doncaster tonight

[Adam_P]

The purists’ East Mids derby is on this weekend:

Some pace in the back 3 for Saints. Looking forward to seeing what Salakaia-Loto brings, and I think Graham will be a good powerful addition to the back row stocks too. Hope Garside gets a good run for Blues off the bench - big fan.

[Mellsblue]

Northampton 40 v 26 Finishing School.

[Adam_P]

Watched online - first half was quite a lot better than the second. Tui Uru had a very good first half - I thought he was going to be quality when he was in Saints academy but injuries hampered progress. Would be good to see him come good. Ethan Grayson was decent too and put in a couple of strong carries.

Of the Saints newbies I liked the look of Scott-Young most from that showing I think - a few solid hits. Litchfield was good as was Collins, and Arden had a solid first half.

[Raggs]

Just watching the tigers falcons game, only halfway through but tigers are looking good. I know preseasons don't necessarily tell a lot, but there's some things that don't "lie" and the physicality that tigers are bringing is one of them.

[FKAS]

Just watching the tigers falcons game, only halfway through but tigers are looking good. I know preseasons don't necessarily tell a lot, but there's some things that don't "lie" and the physicality that tigers are bringing is one of them.

We did tire a bit before half time but the line speed and physicality were good. The signings for this season should only help that area of our game. Attack a bit hit and miss but looks a work in progress. Scrum looks good with Cronin in there and should only get stronger once Montoya returns. Lineout was pretty solid as well.

We've played both our friendlies now so it's just prep for the first week of the season. Possibly moving to a lighter load so we're fresher Vs Chiefs.

[Which Tyler]

Bath's pre-season against Coventry didn't really tell us anything much.
Rookie front row with hybrid locks struggled against a gnarled Championship pack in the first half, whilst our (as near as possible) first choice front row with specialist locks behind them got on top of a tiring Cov pack in the 2nd half.

Wow, who'd have guessed that?

[Stom]

Quins beat London Scottish 66-19... yeah.

Plus points are Evans and Kenningham back and the latter very impressive. Tries for both, but Kenningham got 2.