Tigers Vs Bristol

[FKAS]

STARTING XV
15 Mike Brown [4]
14 Anthony Watson [11]
13 Matt Scott [62]
12 Jimmy Gopperth [12]
11 Harry Potter [61]
10 Handré Pollard [9]
9 Ben Youngs [298]
1 Tom West [5]
2 Julián Montoya (c) [38]
3 Joe Heyes [118]
4 George Martin [53]
5 Cameron Henderson [31]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [79]
7 Olly Cracknell [19]
8 Jasper Wiese [55]

REPLACEMENTS
16 Charlie Clare [73]
17 James Cronin [11]
18 Dan Cole [304]
19 Eli Snyman [30]
20 Tommy Reffell [94]
21 Jack van Poortvliet [60]
22 Charlie Atkinson [13]
23 Freddie Steward [67]

Tigers injury woes in the backs continue. Easing the England contingent back in makes sense.

Bristol Bears: 15. Charles Piutau (75 apps), 14. Ioan Lloyd (75 apps), 13. Semi Radradra (50 apps), 12. James Williams (11 apps), 11. Gabriel Ibitoye (13 apps), 10. AJ MacGinty (20 apps), 9. Harry Randall (cc) (97 apps); 1. Yann Thomas (106 apps), 2. Harry Thacker (96 apps), 3. Max Lahiff (63 apps), 4. Joe Joyce (163 apps), 5. Chris Vui (113 apps), 6. Steven Luatua (cc) (109 apps), 7. Fitz Harding (47 apps), 8. Magnus Bradbury (18 apps).

Replacements: 16. Fred Davies (6 apps), 17. Ellis Genge (32 apps), 18. George Kloska (24 apps), 19. Jake Heenan (90 apps), 20. Sam Lewis (8 apps), 21. Andy Uren (154 apps), 22. Sam Bedlow (59 apps), 23. Noah Heward (4 apps).

Unavailable: Bryan Byrne, Kyle Sinckler, Joe Batley, John Hawkins, Ed Holmes, Sam Jeffries, Will Porter, Callum Sheedy, Piers O’Conor, Deago Bailey, Siva Naulago.

[Oakboy]

I hate that Atkinson is not getting the 10 shirt. England needs him to get a starting FH slot now.

[francoisfou]

I hate that Atkinson is not getting the 10 shirt. England needs him to get a starting FH slot now.

He should get his chances to wear ten during the World Cup.

[fivepointer]

Intriguing game. Bris have turned a corner. Can they maintain that form?

[Epaminondas Pules]

I hate that Atkinson is not getting the 10 shirt. England needs him to get a starting FH slot now.

Why?

[Epaminondas Pules]

I hate that Atkinson is not getting the 10 shirt. England needs him to get a starting FH slot now.

He should get his chances to wear ten during the World Cup.

Definitely, and he gets to learn from one of the best in the world

[jimKRFC]

Think Tigers will edge this - home advantage & I can't see Bristol putting in 3 good performances on the bounce!
Shame it's not on anywhere....

[FKAS]

I dunno our second choice midfield isn't particularly strong whereas Bristol have got a great midfield and sparkling attack. Reffell on the bench will either be a great call as Cracknell will help give us a physical edge and blunt the Bristol momentum or it's going to leave Montoya isolated as the only breakdown threat.

Tigers are going to have to play this one clever. Be to loose or give Bristol any momentum and we could be in trouble.

[jimKRFC]

I dunno our second choice midfield isn't particularly strong whereas Bristol have got a great midfield and sparkling attack. Reffell on the bench will either be a great call as Cracknell will help give us a physical edge and blunt the Bristol momentum or it's going to leave Montoya isolated as the only breakdown threat.

Tigers are going to have to play this one clever. Be to loose or give Bristol any momentum and we could be in trouble.

This game is pretty critical for us so would expect them to really up for it. Lose and we're out of the running for the play offs - win and the dream is still alive.

Shame that Batley is out as he's been in great form. Definitely came back from Worcs a better player!

My main hope (for all games now) is that the result doesn't hinge on some controversial ref decision - I'm pretty sure it never used to be as bad....

[FKAS]

All Tigers remaining games at home but there is a bye week as well so we've got to make the most of these games. Really must win for us as well as we are not even close to being safe in the top 4. Only three games left including this one with Chiefs and then Quins to come, it's not going to be easy, especially if we don't win this one.

[Oakboy]

I hate that Atkinson is not getting the 10 shirt. England needs him to get a starting FH slot now.

Why?

Because I think he could be the future if handled properly.

[twitchy]

Annoying this isn't on tv.

[FKAS]

Annoying this isn't on tv.

PRTV

[stepsider]

Bristol deserved that try, even if it was a Pollard balls-up.

Tigers back in the lead as I write, though.

[Banquo]

Pretty convincing win that.

[FKAS]

Big boost for Tigers that, TBP and Bristol leaving with nothing. Wigglesworth has done good things with the Tigers attack.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Scott with a heavily iced ankle at the end. With Porter and Kelly out that could be an issue.

[FKAS]

Scott with a heavily iced ankle at the end. With Porter and Kelly out that could be an issue.

I know Steward came on for Scott but who actually played centre in the second half?

Maybe Phil Cokanasiga will finally get another go. We've got a few England age grade centres as well. The midfield isn't the strongest though, could be an issue.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Scott with a heavily iced ankle at the end. With Porter and Kelly out that could be an issue.

I know Steward came on for Scott but who actually played centre in the second half?

Maybe Phil Cokanasiga will finally get another go. We've got a few England age grade centres as well. The midfield isn't the strongest though, could be an issue.

Would love to see Coka get a chance

[Puja]

Went looking to see if there was any news about PCokanasiga and came across this article of the Leicester coaches singing his praises from October, after he'd been involved in all of the first 5 matchday XXIIIs: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-top- ... leicester/

Just what has happened with him? Where's he gone?

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Went looking to see if there was any news about PCokanasiga and came across this article of the Leicester coaches singing his praises from October, after he'd been involved in all of the first 5 matchday XXIIIs: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-top- ... leicester/

Just what has happened with him? Where's he gone?

Puja

I believe it’s called ‘doing a Marchant’.

[Mikey Brown]

Went looking to see if there was any news about PCokanasiga and came across this article of the Leicester coaches singing his praises from October, after he'd been involved in all of the first 5 matchday XXIIIs: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-top- ... leicester/

Just what has happened with him? Where's he gone?

Puja

I believe it’s called ‘doing a Marchant’.

You mean he’s off to France or he’s been made to look like a puny little weakling in the presence of Guy Porter?

[Mellsblue]

Went looking to see if there was any news about PCokanasiga and came across this article of the Leicester coaches singing his praises from October, after he'd been involved in all of the first 5 matchday XXIIIs: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-top- ... leicester/

Just what has happened with him? Where's he gone?

Puja

I believe it’s called ‘doing a Marchant’.

You mean he’s off to France or he’s been made to look like a puny little weakling in the presence of Guy Porter?

The second, obvs.

[FKAS]

Went looking to see if there was any news about PCokanasiga and came across this article of the Leicester coaches singing his praises from October, after he'd been involved in all of the first 5 matchday XXIIIs: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-top- ... leicester/

Just what has happened with him? Where's he gone?

Puja

I don't know if he's had a niggling injury or some off the field issues but it's odd that he's not played since January when he had a one off game for Nottingham (apparently he didn't play very well).

Maybe we'll see him come in for the Edinburgh game considering our lack of fit centres.

[Mellsblue]

Just watched the highlights. Two pieces of interest for England’s back three: Watson making Piutau look stupid to score a try and Randall making Steward look stupid to score a try.