RugbyRebels

NORTHAMPTON SAINTS XV vs LEICESTER TIGERS XV
Saturday 29 April 2023
cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Kick-off: 2pm

15 George Hendy
14 Tom Collins
13 Tommy Freeman
12 Rory Hutchinson
11 Courtnall Skosan
10 Fin Smith
9 Alex Mitchell

1 Ethan Waller
2 Sam Matavesi
3 Trevor Davison
4 David Ribbans (c)
5 Alex Moon
6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
7 Sam Graham
8 Juarno Augustus

Replacements:
Callum Burns, Tom Cruse, Mike Haywood, Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi, Oisín Heffernan, Paul Hill, Ed Prowse, Tom Lockett, Brandon Nansen, Alex Coles, Angus Scott-Young, Karl Wilkins, Callum Braley, Tom James, James Grayson, Frankie Sleightholme, Tom Litchfield, Ethan Grayson, Archie Kean, Will Glister (Under-18)

Tigers
STARTING XV: 15 Kini Murimurivalu, 14 Joe Browning, 13 Phil Cokanasiga, 12 Joe Woodward, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Charlie Atkinson, 9 Sam Edwards; 1 Francois van Wyk (c), 2 Nic Dolly, 3 Will Hurd, 4 Lewis Chessum, 5 Rob Carmichael, 6 Finn Carnduff, 7 Emeka Ilione, 8 Sean Jansen

REPLACEMENTS: Archie Vanes, James Whitcombe, Dan Richardson, Tom Manz, Joshua Manz, Simon Koroiyadi, Sam Wolstenholme, Morgan Meredith, Jacob Cusick, Malelili Satala

Only change to the starting line up for Tigers is Saumaki coming in for Simmonds. Happy that Ilione is ok having gone off injured last time. Good to have Whitcombe back from injury.

The first friendly saw two evenly matched teams on paper but a crushing victory for Tigers. As Saints are almost playing their first team for this one I'm guessing it won't be the case. Tigers youngsters will do well to keep this under 50.

Freeman at 13? #justiceforeddie

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 4:20 pm Freeman at 13? #justiceforeddie

Proctor and Dingwall not available, Litchfield must have been thinking he'd get a go with the first choice backline this week but nope benched for a winger.

Interested to see how Freeman goes at 13, he definitely has the size and strength for it.

I understand the thinking in playing lots of first teamers ahead of the semi final, but certain players like Augustus I think it's an unnecessary risk to play him in this friendly. We have no comparable player to fill in if he gets crocked.

Adam_P wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:45 pm Interested to see how Freeman goes at 13, he definitely has the size and strength for it.

I understand the thinking in playing lots of first teamers ahead of the semi final, but certain players like Augustus I think it's an unnecessary risk to play him in this friendly. We have no comparable player to fill in if he gets crocked.

They are definitely taking some risks but they do have a week off after this to rest up and recover. I was surprised they've gone so strong but I'm guessing the bench will get used early so it's nothing more than a quick run out.

Somewhat immaterial as there's sod all chance they'll bear Sarries at Sarries mind.

I live in hope. There was 6 points in it in Nov.

Seems a bit unfair for Saints to be putting out most of their first XV, when we're playing players who are miles away from seeing any first team minutes, like Cokanasiga and Atkinson.

Puja

With BillyV out as well they aren't as strong as well. I'll be routing for you as I'd rather have a Tigers Vs Saints final, though I'm not confident we'll beat Sale. We've failed miserably twice in the league so far.

Puja wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 8:18 pm Seems a bit unfair for Saints to be putting out most of their first XV, when we're playing players who are miles away from seeing any first team minutes, like Cokanasiga and Atkinson.

Puja

A bit stupid on the face of the contest but they have a bye week next week whilst we do not. They feel like their players need to stay match sharp whilst we're going to use the last league game for that.

Adam_P wrote: ↑Fri Apr 28, 2023 5:45 pm Interested to see how Freeman goes at 13, he definitely has the size and strength for it.

More importantly has the speed, hands and footwork. But positional skills might be more testing.

Entertaining first half, going about as you'd expect it to based on the teams and the lack of pressure.

It's being streamed on Saints TV YouTube channel if anyone didn't know.

Sounds like it went exactly as expected with Saints pretty much first team playing Tigers PRC side. Good to see Nic Dolly got on the scoreboard as he builds to a return to the first team.