Quins Quash Terrible Tigers

Cockney champions Quins romped to a 22-9 win as they stormed the Welford Road citadel, claiming their second win on the bounce on the historic Leicester ground.  Referee "Dangerous" Dave Pearson lived up to his name as his bizarre and infuriating interpretation of rules spoiled any spectacle that might have occurred.  The new TMO powers are meant to encourage refs to let it play, but Pearson called back a pass from Flood as forward when Goneva was clear to line, rather than let it play and use the TV match official.  This swung the game in favour of Nick Easter and his Cockney chums.

Julian Salvi also looked over the line in the 75th minute but again Pearson refused to use the tmo even though from one angle Salvi clearly grounded the ball.

But there is no point complaining about Pearson; it wasn't his fault that our attack would have struggled to wrestle its way out of a moist paper bag.  This was the first time that Tigers have failed to score tries in successive games since October 2010.

Quins played the referee very well, keenly observing that he had no intention of whistling for sealing off nor for offside.  You can hardly blame Quins for constantly cheating when the referee refused to penalise them.

Chris Robshaw was imperious as he inherited Andy Robinson's cloak of invisibility never once being blown for any number of his blatant offsides.  Whilst conning Premiership refs on the brink of retirement is one thing the international refs won't let him get away with such blue murder and I'd expect the England captain to be whistled off the field come November.  

Blood Cheat Tom Williams scored the only try after a debatable series of of offloads and picking up from the middle of the ruck.

Cockerill will have to answer some serious questions as to why he left George Ford on the bench for the second week running when the attack was badly miss-firing.  Matt O'Conner should also come under scrutiny, he is meant to be the attack coach but the attack is going too wide too  early and becoming easy meat for any half way competent defence.  Excuses are no longer good enough as Tigers once again failed to attack with any panache.  Coaches have been sacked for less.

Teams named for Final Rematch

Our Lord and Saviour JC will captain the side in his first start of the season, due to the absence of Geordan Murphy with a knee injury.  Other changes see Manu Tuilagi, Tom Waldrom, Logovi'i Mulipola and Dan Cole rested with the later 3 on the bench.  Matt Smith, JC, Boris "the finger" Stankovitch and Martin Castrogiovanni are the able replacements, whilst Niall Morris replace's fellow Irishman Geordan Murphy.

Tigers:
15 Scott Hamilton
14 Niall Morris
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Toby Flood
9 Sam Harrison
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane (c) 
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Dan Cole
18 Logovii Mulipola
19 Rob Andrew
20 Thomas Waldrom
21 Patrick Phibbs
22 George Ford
23 Adam Thompstone

For the Champion Quins outside centre George Lowe is missing and is replaced by former Plymouth Albion and Cornish Pirate centre Matt Hopper.  Bloody Tom Williams is sure to get a hot reception from the Crumbie terrace where his betrayal  of Deano has never been forgotten.  Otherwise the side is unchanged from the XV that triumphed at Twickenham.
Quins:
 15. Mike Brown
14. Tom Williams
13. Matt Hopper
12. Jordan Turner Hall
11. Ugo Monye
10. Nick Evans
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler
2. Joe Gray
3. James Johnston
4. Olly Kohn
5. George Robson
6. Maurie Fa'asavalu
7. Chris Robshaw ©
8. Nick Easter
Replacements
16. Rob Buchanan
17. Darryl Marfo
18. Will Collier
19. Charlie Matthews
20. Tom Guest
21. Karl Dickson
22. Rory Clegg
23. Ross Chisholm

Bore Draw at Wembley

Tigers and Saracens drew 9-9 at the home of English Football as Owen Farrell's woeful kicking gave Tigers a let off from their worst performance since Exeter in February and their first tryless performance since October 15th 2011 when Llanelli  beat a young Tigers side 31-3.

It all looked so promising in the early stages, good Leicester pressure inside the Saracens' 22 forced a penalty from Market Bosworth's Martin Fox, quite why a man from the hear of Tigers country is allowed to referee Leicester games is beyond me, is it fair to put him under that kind of scruntiny?  From searching the record books I believe this was the first time he has refereed the Tigers first XV and the first time a Leicester official has refereed the Tigers since Rob Debney whistled an encounter with Leeds at Headingly in September 2005.  Back to the match and after Flood converted the penalty Farrell's kicking nightmare was about to begin.  Farrell booted the ball straight into touch, and Saracens scrum melted under pressure from the pack of Tigers.  6-0 inside the first 4 minutes, it looked like it might be a good day.

It looked even better when Farrell missed his first two attempts on goal both pushed wide right, the first after a ruck offence the second a scrum one.

On 22 minutes after a run by Goneva Fox again blew for a Saracens' infringement and Flood duly made it 9-0.  That was the high water mark for Leicester as they were not to trouble the scorers again.  To not score in 60 minutes of Rugby is frankly unacceptable in any circumstances.  A lot of work for Matt O'Conner in the week to refresh the faltering attack.

Farrell missed a third penalty, pulling this one wide left, before finally nailing one that was dead straight.  On the stroke of half time Farrell missed his fourth and last kick after a Waldrom off side again the ball missing right.

In the second period Hodgson replaced Farrell and immediately repaid his coaches decision after a mix up between Allen and Salvi handed Sarries yet another opportunity. Salvi was again the villian as he infringed to give Hodgson the tie-ing kick.

The game ended with both sides skewing drop goal attempts wide. Hodgson and Saracens had first bite of the cherry after a lineout and a series of drives.  Next up were Tigers who after a series of blunt drives on the 22, and an aborted attempt, Flood put the ball wide left.

Whilst the defence has to be credited in a game like this really the attacks were woeful, given this game featured the three most recent England Fly Halfs, the two most recent Englad 12s plus the next in line at 12 it really wasn't hard to see why England have been so poor recently.  Manu Tuilagi and Alex Goode had some good purposeful bursts but Flood, Allen, Farrell and Hodgson were absent for large parts of the game.  

Tigers need to make sure this is the nadir of our attacking game as a side like Toulouse or Leinster, not to mention Harlequins, will take one or two of their chances and we will be facing an up hill battle.

Teams named for Wembley Millionaire Match!

At Wembley on Saturday afternoon one fan will get the chance the win a million pounds, all they have to do is catch three high balls in row.  While still holding the first two!

Whether Saracens are going to pepper Geordan Murphy with enough balls for him to be eligible is yet to be seen.

Tigers make 2 changes, again swapping the props, from the bonus point victory at home to Worcester with Logovi'i Mulipola replacing Boris Stankovitch and Dan Cole replacing Martin Castrogiovanni.  On the bench George Chuter replaces Rob Hawkins.

Tigers:
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Toby Flood
9 Sam Harrison
1 Logovi'i Mulipola
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Rob Andrew
20 Jordan Crane
21 Patrick Phibbs
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith

Saracens on the other hand are more trusting in their squad and make 5 changes with Neil "the Cock" De Kock replacing Richard Wigglesworth, Owen Farrell replacing Charge-Down Charlie Hodgson, bear like Carlos Nieto replacing, ahem, "Lancastrian"  Petrus Du Plessis, Jackson Wray replaces fellow young gun Will Fraser and 2011 final try scorer James Short replaces American winger Chris Wyles.  

Saracens:

15 Alex Goode
14 Chris Ashton
13 Joel Tomkins
12 Brad Barritt
11 James Short
10 Owen Farrell
9 Neil de Kock
1 Mako Vunipola
2 Schalk Brits
3 Carlos Nieto
4 Steve Borthwick ©
5 Mouritz Botha
6 Kelly Brown
7 Jackson Wray
8 Ernst Joubert

16 John Smit
17 Rhys Gill
18 Petrus du Plessis
19 Alistair Hargreaves
20 Will Fraser
21 Richard Wigglesworth
22 Charlie Hodgson
23 Chris Wyles

Manu Double Downs Worcester!

Tigers made it a maximum 10 points out of 2 fixtures as they romped to a 5 try win against the woeful Worcester Warriors, winning 34-26.  Two first half tries from Manu Tuilagi were added to by Vereniki Goneva, Graham Kitchener and, a rather fortunate, penalty try in the second half to secure all 5 points.

Vereniki Goneva tackled and turned over a Worcester player within his own 22, quick ball to Flood was released outside to Hamilton; he passed back into Kitchener who drew in the defence before off loading for Manu Tuilagi who romped in at the corner.

If the first try was was the try of the season so far the second one quickly claimed that mantel.  Goneva broke from his own 22, beating half the Worcester side on his way, the ball was quickly rucked and Manu brushed off the challenges of 3 Warriors to secure his brace.

On the stroke of half time former Worcester captain Chris Pennell was binned for a cynical piece of cheating, his cheating worked as Tigers tried in vain for a push over try before debutant Pat Phibbs threw the ball at Floods feet, causing a knock on and drawing the half to a close.

Dudley born half back Shaun Perry caused a ruckus on the half time whistle as he viciously assaulted Toby Flood, quite what the referee was looking at as this thuggery occurred is anyone's guess.  He ignored it and the sides went off for half time.

Much like in the seasons opener away to London Welsh, Tigers started the second half with a bang,  The period was barley 3 minutes old when Flying Fijian Vereniki Goneva forced himself over in the right hand corner after quick play by Sam Harrison and a flowing move from the CAT side back towards the Crumbie stand.

Thuggish Perry then got his just deserts as he finally got a yellow card.  Twatish Chris Jones managed to avoid the referee's scrutiny, as the saying goes you can take the twat out of Sale but you can't stop him being a massive twat.

In the 66th minute Tigers had a series of scrums on the Worcester line culminating in referee Andrew Small awarding Leicester a penalty try.  Quite what the actual offence that probably stopped a try was up for debate but the bonus point and win was secured.

6 minutes from the end Worcester old boy Graham Kitchener finished off the scoring crashing over in the left hand corner after build up play from Geordan Murphy amongst others. 

Teams named for Welford Road season opener

Tigers make 4 changes to the side that scored 5 tries away to Worcester as Sam Harrison replaces the injured Micky Young, Graham Kitchener returns to fitness at the expense of Rob Andrew and the props are all swapped.  Scott Hamilton is set for his 100th start in The Stripes while Pat Phibbs could make his competitive debut from the bench.

15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Toby Flood
9 Sam Harrison
1 Boris Stankovich
2 Tom Youngs
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

Replacements
16 Rob Hawkins
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Dan Cole
19 Rob Andrew
20 Jordan Crane
21 Pat Phibbs
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith

Worcester name an unchanged side from the one that fell to a last minute penalty at home to Bath.  Former Sale and Toulon lock Dean Schofield captains them in only his second game for the club.  Andy Goode, 5 time English Champion with Tigers, is again preferred to the flaky Joe Carlisle.  Both Worcester's centers are English born and raised though both play international rugby for other countries, Grove for Scotland and Matavesi for Fiji.
Worcester Warriors
15 Chris Pennell
14 Josh Drauniniu
13 Alex Grove
12 Josh Matavesi
11 David Lemi
10 Andy Goode
9 Shaun Perry
1 Matt Mullan
2 Aleki Lutui
3 John Andress
4 James Percival
5 Dean Schofield (c)
6 Chris Jones
7 Sam Betty
8 Semisi Taulava

Replacements
16 Ollie Hayes
17 Ceri Jones
18 James Currie
19 Craig Gillies
20 Matt Kvesic
21 Jonny Arr
22 Joe Carlisle
23 Ben Howard

Tigers Topple Taffs

Tigers strolled home to a 38-13 win as London Welsh hosted them in their new home, the Kassam Stadium.  Tigers burst out of the blocks to take a 17-0 lead with two Waldrom tries, the first coming after excellent passes by Tom Youngs and Geoff Parling to put away Waldrom in the corner the second a more standard catch and drive. 

Welsh pegged them back with the next 2 tries through Tom Arscott and Hudson Tonga'uiha.  Arscott through a terrific dummy before coolly finishing.  On the stroke of half time Tonga'uiha picked the ball up, blatently from the middle of the ruck, and charged over the line.  Why the referee decided to ignore the off side line will go down as one of life's mysteries.

Tigers bounced back after the break though to seal the win.  Good build up work by Manu Tuilagi formed a ruck in the Welsh 22, slick passing culminating with Tony Allen utilising a fijian flip to put Geoff Parling to the line.

The bonus point try was secured after 48 minutes by Julian Salvi picking and going after a ruck formed from a Tom Youngs burst.  The 5th and final try went to Flying Fijian winger Vereniki Goneva who tipped toed his way down the line after Scott Hamilton drew in the last defender.    

Tigers name team for season opener

Tigers:

15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Manusamoa Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Vereniki Goneva
10 Toby Flood
9 Micky Young
1 Logovi'i Mulipola
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Rob Andrew
5 Geoff Parling
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Thomas Waldrom

BENCH: 16 George Chuter, 17 Boris Stankovich, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Brett Deacon, 20 Jordan Crane, 21 Sam Harrison, 22 George Ford, 23 Matt Smith

London Welsh:

15 Tom Arscott, 

14 Phil MacKenzie, 

13 Sonny Parker, 

12 Hudson Tonga'uiha, 

11 Joe Ajuwa, 

10 Gordon Ross, 

9 Jonah Holmes; 

1 Franck Montanella, 

2 Neil Briggs, 

3 Paulica Ion, 

4 Jonathan Mills (c)©, 

5. Kirill Kulemin, 

6 Ed Williamson, 

7 Lee Beach, 

8 Daniel Browne.
BENCH: 16 Greg Bateman, 17 Tom Bristow, 18 Arthur Joly, 19 Martin Purdy, 20 Alfie To'oala, 21 Nick Runciman, 22 Seb Jewell, 23 Nick Scott

Tigers pair Vereniki Goneva and Rob Andrew are in line to make their competitive debuts away to London Welsh on Sunday.  On the Welsh side Canadian Phil MacKenzie, Sonny Parker, Jonah Holmes, Franck Montella, Neil Briggs, Romanian Paulica Ion, Russian Kirill Kulemin, Ed Williamson and Daniel Browne all make first competitive starts for the Exiles.

Vereniki Very Goody!

Tigers new flying Fijian Vereniki Goneva had a home debut to remember grabbing a brace of tries against local rivals Nottingham as Tigers romped to a ten-try 64-7 win.  Opposite winger Scotty Hamilton also bagged a brace, whilst Alex Lewington also chipped in with a try to round off a prolific day for the Welford Wingers!

Both Goneva and Hamilton had potential hat trick scores ruled out, with Goneva also providing the scoring pass for try number 7, scored by Tony Allen.

Tigers other scores came from backrow trio JC, on his first Welford Road appearance for over a year, Richard "Thorpedo" Thorpe, also a home debutant,  and Thomas "The Tank" Waldrom.  

Nottingham started with 6 ex-Tigers and their score was by one of that number Matt Parr from a charged down Micky Young kick.

Tigers Team to face Jersey

Tigers have announced their team for tomorrow's game against Jersey.  There are club debuts for new signings Goneva, Andrew and Thorpe with Phibbs and Thompstone certain to make their bows from the bench.  First team debuts are given to Geordie prop Fraiser Balmain and 7s star Joe "Co" Cain.  Tigers have also given a bench spot to utility back rower Wessel Jooste the former Bourgoin player now available after the French authorities relegated the club to Federale 1 for financial misdemeanors.

15. Niall Morris

14. Scott Hamilton

13. Matt Smith

12. Andy Symons

11. Vereniki Goneva

10. George Ford

9. Mickey Young

1. Fraser Balmain
2. Rob Hawkins
3. Martin Castrogiovanni (Capt)
4. Rob Andrew
5. Joe Cain
6. Brett Deacon
7. Richard Thorpe
8. Jordan Crane


Subs:
George Chuter
Keiran Brookes
Jonny Harris
Ryan Bower
Harry Wells
Wessel Jooste
Julian Salvi
Patrick Phibbs
Matt Cornwell
Alex Lewington
Geordan Murphy 

Adam Thompstone

Thorpedo aims to make a splash!

Tigers today confirm the signing of Richard Thorpe from London Irish.  Thorpe can play all across the back row but has mainly been an 8, despite being shorter than Julian Salvi.  As part of the deal London Irish will still pay part of his wages.  This is a cracking deal for Tigers, not only do we get a goodish player for a poor players wages we also manage to hobble a rival with dead wage space they can't use on anyone else.  Paying players to play for other clubs is nothing new to football with Leeds United doing a similar thing with Robbie Fowler.

Thorpe originally announced the move on his twitter page a few days ago before quickly deleting the message and presumably getting a thorough bollocking from Cockers.

Brettman Returns, Tigers announce signing of Dynamic Duo

Tigers have announced the return of Leicester born Brett Deacon and new signing Pat Phibbs.  Deacon is well known to any Ultra SubMarine worth his salt and joins his brother in striving to emulate that other lock and back row pair of brothers: The Johnsons.  Pat Phibbs is a newer name arriving in Exeter after last years World Cup.  The 30 year old was deemed surplus to requirements at the ACT Brumbies before spending a year on Exeter's bench behind Coventry born Hayden Thomas.