RugbyRebels

Leicester Tigers (v Northampton Saints, Welford Road, Saturday 3.00pm)

15 Telusa Veainu
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Matt Smith
12 Matt Toomua
11 Jonny May
10 George Ford
9 Sam Harrison

1 Ellis Genge
2 Tom Youngs (c)
3 Dan Cole
4 Mike Fitzgerald
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Valentino Mapapalangi
7 Luke Hamilton
8 Sione Kalamafoni

Replacements

16 Tatafu Polota-Nau
17 Greg Bateman
18 Logovi’i Mulipola
19 Harry Wells
20 Will Evans
21 Ben Youngs
22 George Worth
23 Jonah Holmes


15 Ahsee Tuala
14 Ben Foden
13 Rob Horne (capt)
12 Piers Francis
11 George North
10 Stephen Myler
9 Cobus Reinach

1 Campese Ma’afu
2 Mikey Haywood
3 Paul Hill
4 Api Ratuniyarawa
5 James Craig
6 Jamie Gibson
7 Teimana Harrison
8 Mitch Eadie

16 Charlie Clare
17 Alex Waller
18 Ehren Painter
19 Michael Paterson
20 Ben Nutley
21 Alex Mitchell
22 Luther Burrell
23 Tom Collins

Is this match a potential banana skin for Tigers?
On recent results, they should win comfortably, but if the tension boils over, as it tends to do in this fixture, then a couple of yellow cards may tip the scales in Northampton's favour.

Could well be a banana skin for Tigers.

But you would hope their front row would keep them in the game even if Saints are on fire.
Paul Hill - Last played in Jan, last started in Novemeber.
Painter - Made prem debut last week Eng U20
v
Ellis Genge
Greg Bateman

At the very least Tigers forwards bench should be able to do what they did to Wasps.

I'd like to hope that we'll be making a statement this weekend - that's a pretty weak Saints team, we're on a roll, players are coming back and coming back into form - in theory is shouldbe a rout.

Local derbies don't always obey the theory though, so yeah, it's more than a bit of a banana skin.

Puja

On free TV (Live Channel 5)

Banana skin? Not a chance. Tigers are the form team in England chasing a top 4 finish, Saints are a shambles with nothing but pride to play for. This one will only go one way.
I'm very pleased to see Paul Hill get a game but he and his fellow forwards are in for a tough afternoon.

Puja wrote:I'd like to hope that we'll be making a statement this weekend - that's a pretty weak Saints team, we're on a roll, players are coming back and coming back into form - in theory is shouldbe a rout.

Local derbies don't always obey the theory though, so yeah, it's more than a bit of a banana skin.

Puja

Agreed. It’ll be an interesting measure of Tigers’ resurgence.

They should be looking to ruin this Saints team to start a final push for the play-offs.

If there's going to be yellow cards odds are they go to Ma'afu and Harrison first

If nothing else, I'm looking forward to seeing how Horne goes as captain. I've been thinking recently that I would like to see him as captain next season and beyond.

Seems odd that Hill has gone from not featuring at all for ages to starting. Glad to see Painter getting involved again, rate him a lot.

Some other strange and frustrating selections, but that comes as no surprise from Saints this season. At the very least I hope we get an entertaining game, the last few east mids derbys haven't been quite as exciting as in previous years.

Adam_P wrote:If nothing else, I'm looking forward to seeing how Horne goes as captain. I've been thinking recently that I would like to see him as captain next season and beyond.

Seems odd that Hill has gone from not featuring at all for ages to starting. Glad to see Painter getting involved again, rate him a lot.

Some other strange and frustrating selections, but that comes as no surprise from Saints this season. At the very least I hope we get an entertaining game, the last few east mids derbys haven't been quite as exciting as in previous years.

Brookes and JFR both injured.

Aye I just realised. This highlights exactly why it's been a ridiculous policy not to give him any game time recently, as he is going to be very rusty I'd imagine

From Nick Mullins' Twitter:

The pack Saints can’t pick for Welford Road: Brookes, Hartley, Ford-Robinson, Lawes, Day, Ribbans, Wood, Brüssow. No Mallinder either. Just what you need for a trip to the nearest & dearest.

That's a pretty bad injury list, especially as Waller only made his return for the Wanderers this week

Peej wrote:If there's going to be yellow cards odds are they go to Ma'afu and Harrison first

That first one is a good shout for a bet actually. I might see what odds you can get on that.

Puja

Apart from his recent 'headbutt', Harrison had a very clean disciplinary record.

Wouldn't mind seeing Campese copy his bro and have a scrap with Tom Youngs again

If Tigers' forwards can string together phases of ball retention (impressive against Bath) then the defensive cracks should appear. However, George Ford must be on better form with the boot than he was at Twickers and nail the chances to put points on the board. If he does, then the bonus point win becomes more likely.
Wish I could be there on the terrace but will have to make do with watching it on t'internet.

What a start for saints.

Just fantastic, our best player out after 13 seconds

Good first scrum contest between Genge and Hill, could be interesting

Tom Youngs playing up to his rep and missing a couple of pressure line outs. Paul Hill has looked very good all round so far, as has Genge. Harrison playing well too

Did not expect saints to be 10 nil up.

Nice work from Ford, Genge and Veinau for the try there

Great move from a lineout about 15m out, Reinach using his pace well

Cracking game.

Just baffling how Saints can play like this today, but put in games like last week with the same personnel. Very entertaining game so far, haven't been this animated watching a Saints game on TV for a long time. Little bit of niggle creeping in but nothing nasty. Was a great exchange between Teimana Garrison and Genge before half time, having a little scrap then Harrison helping Genge up both with a big grin on their face

Charge down try aside, Reinach is having a brilliant game. Setting up an early try in the 2nd half