Leicester vs Munster

[Puja]

Leicester Tigers (v Munster Rugby, Welford Road, Sunday 5.30pm)

15 Mathew Tait

14 Adam Thompstone

13 Manu Tuilagi

12 Matt Toomua

11 Jonny May

10 George Ford

9 Ben Youngs

1 Kyle Traynor

2 Tom Youngs (c)

3 Dan Cole

4 Mike Fitzgerald

5 Graham Kitchener

6 Valentino Mapapalangi

7 Mike Williams

8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau

17 Logovi’i Mulipola

18 Chris Baumann

19 Dom Barrow

20 Luke Hamilton

21 Sam Harrison

22 Joe Ford

23 Nick Malouf

Munster: 15 Simon Zebo; 14 Darren Sweetnam, 13 Sammy Arnold, 12 Rory Scannell, 11 Alex Wootton; 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Conor Murray; 1 Dave Kilcoyne, 2 Kevin O’Byrne, 3 Stephen Archer; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Billy Holland; 6 Peter O’Mahony (c), 7 Chris Cloete, 8 CJ Stander.

Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Brian Scott, 18 John Ryan, 19 Darren O’Shea, 20 Jack O’Donoghue, 21 Duncan Williams, 22 JJ Hanrahan, 23 Keith Earls.

[Puja]

That back row does not suggest that we have understood why Munster gubbed us last week. Williams at 7 - this might be painful.

My only thought is that they've given him a Haskell role of doing nothing but hitting the first ruck. I suspect that's an optimistic interpretation though.

Puja

[bitts]

Good to see Tigers aren't just going to throw Manu back in at the deep end.

[Tigersman]

That back row does not suggest that we have understood why Munster gubbed us last week. Williams at 7 - this might be painful.

My only thought is that they've given him a Haskell role of doing nothing but hitting the first ruck. I suspect that's an optimistic interpretation though.

Puja

I have a feeling that the aim of that back row is to keep the ball at all costs, and when they get the ball just run hard into that munster defence to try and give Toomua and Ford a bit of space to put people in holes.

[padprop]

Good to see Tigers aren't just going to throw Manu back in at the deep end.

That's all well and good, but he's been injured most times when he's been eased back on a couple 30 min performances then 80 mins. I doubt it would make any difference. Just get as many minutes out of him as possible and hope for the best.

(Especially with the salary he's on)

[francoisfou]

Ideally, Tigers need not only a win, but also a bp and to deprive Munster of a point.
Is it possible? Why not, but it's likely to be pissing down on Sunday afternoon which could make it even more unlikely.

[Banquo]

That back row does not suggest that we have understood why Munster gubbed us last week. Williams at 7 - this might be painful.

My only thought is that they've given him a Haskell role of doing nothing but hitting the first ruck. I suspect that's an optimistic interpretation though.

Puja

I've said from the start of the season that the back 5 of your pack is pretty average - nowhere to go, bar maybe Evans.

[Puja]

That back row does not suggest that we have understood why Munster gubbed us last week. Williams at 7 - this might be painful.

My only thought is that they've given him a Haskell role of doing nothing but hitting the first ruck. I suspect that's an optimistic interpretation though.

Puja

I have a feeling that the aim of that back row is to keep the ball at all costs, and when they get the ball just run hard into that munster defence to try and give Toomua and Ford a bit of space to put people in holes.

Mind, if there's one thing we can say about Williams, it's that he'll work hard, which was something in short supply last week. I'd prefer it if his hard work was more shoulder-to-the-wheel rather than shoulder-to-someone's-face, but beggars can't be choosers.

Puja

[bitts]

That back row does not suggest that we have understood why Munster gubbed us last week. Williams at 7 - this might be painful.

My only thought is that they've given him a Haskell role of doing nothing but hitting the first ruck. I suspect that's an optimistic interpretation though.

Puja

I have a feeling that the aim of that back row is to keep the ball at all costs, and when they get the ball just run hard into that munster defence to try and give Toomua and Ford a bit of space to put people in holes.

Mind, if there's one thing we can say about Williams, it's that he'll work hard, which was something in short supply last week. I'd prefer it if his hard work was more shoulder-to-the-wheel rather than shoulder-to-someone's-face, but beggars can't be choosers.

Puja

Does remembering when Leicester had a terrifying pack make me old?

[16th man]

That Tigers backline stays fit and it's pretty impressive.

[Banquo]

Nice to see Croft get to say goodbye.

[Banquo]

That Tigers backline stays fit and it's pretty impressive.

With Veanu fit, it'd be genuinely scary, though needing an upgrade on the worthy Thompstone

[Banquo]

Keatley not quite so shiny today so far

[Banquo]

Keatley not quite so shiny today so far

lol, then a great kick!

[Banquo]

lovely run from Tait. That lad could have had a really great career, rather than a good one.

[16th man]

bit of a flashback moment from Matt Tait.

[p/d]

lovely run from Tait. That lad could have had a really great career, rather than a good one.

Eddie needs to find a spot for him. Pure class

[Banquo]

lovely run from Tait. That lad could have had a really great career, rather than a good one.

Eddie needs to find a spot for him. Pure class

Its not too late for Phil, either

[16th man]

lovely run from Tait. That lad could have had a really great career, rather than a good one.

Got screwed over by the English obsession with forcing on bulk and the desperation for a 13.

[16th man]

lovely run from Tait. That lad could have had a really great career, rather than a good one.

Eddie needs to find a spot for him. Pure class

Its not too late for Phil, either

Back 3 of Tait, Strettle and Abendanon for the 6ns?

[Banquo]

lovely run from Tait. That lad could have had a really great career, rather than a good one.

Got screwed over by the English obsession with forcing on bulk and the desperation for a 13.

lots of things; imo he should have settled on wing, plus he's had a lot of injuries.

[Banquo]

Eddie needs to find a spot for him. Pure class

Its not too late for Phil, either

Back 3 of Tait, Strettle and Abendanon for the 6ns?

Poor old Banahan can't get a break, or Ashton come to that

[Mellsblue]

There is nothing more satisfying than seeing an Irish team on the wrong side of a choke tackle.

[Banquo]

broken rib for May?

[Banquo]

May-be not