Marcos Ayerza has been named for his first major start for Argentina in 3 years after Santiago Phelan named his side to face Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The last time Ayerza started for Argentina at all was 2 October last year as they faced Georgia in the World Cup, and his last major start was a 6-9 victory against Scotland at Murrayfield three years ago.
Argentina squad: JM Hernandez (Racing Metro), G Camacho
(Exeter), G Tiesi (San Isidro), F Contepomi (Stade Francais), J Imhoff
(Racing Metro), N Sanchez (Bordeaux-Begles), M Landajo (San Isidro), M
Ayerza (Leicester), E Guinazu (Southern Kings), J Figallo (Montpellier);
M Carizza (Racing Metro), JF Cabello (Tucuman); L Senatore (Gimnasia
Rosario), JM Leguizamon (Lyon), JM Fernandez Lobbe (Toulon, captain).
Replacements:
A Creevy (Montpellier), B Posiglioni (La Plata), J Gomez (Los
Matreros), T Vallejos (Scarlets), T Leonardi (San Isidro), N Vergallo
(Southern Kings), H Agulla (Bath), J Tuculet (Grenoble
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
Magnificent 7 Tigers in England side
England have released 10 players, including Tiger Anthony Allen, from their squad and in the process revealed the 23 for the Fiji test. 7 Tigers have been named: Dan Cole, Geoff Parling, Thomas Waldrom, Ben Youngs, Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and debutant Tom Youngs. Other headlines are potential debuts for Mako Vunipola of Saracens and Joe Launchberry of Wasps.
Forwards (13):
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Palmer (London Wasps), David Paice (London Irish), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Tom Palmer (London Wasps), David Paice (London Irish), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Backs (10):
Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Alex Goode (Saracens), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Alex Goode (Saracens), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Treviso Game moved
Tigers next European Cup game, against Treviso, has been put back by 24 hours to Sunday December 9th with a 3pm kick off. This is due to a clash with Leicester City.
This clash has been on the cards for months so it is a pretty poor way to treat our Italian visitors who may well have booked flights to leave on the Sunday months ago.
This clash has been on the cards for months so it is a pretty poor way to treat our Italian visitors who may well have booked flights to leave on the Sunday months ago.
Monday, 5 November 2012
Academy League Games confirmed
Tigers have confirmed their schedule for the forthcoming Academy League. As revealed here Tigers have home games against Leeds on December 15th and Sale on February 9th. The other home game is against Gloucester on January 19th. Venues are yet to be confirmed.
All games:
December 15 Leeds Home
December 22 Worcester Away
January 13 Newcastle Away
January 19 Gloucester Home
February 9 Sale Home
February 16 Northampton Away
It will be interesting to compare these scores to our games against Moseley and Bedford two sides whose academies have not been invited to take part.
All games:
December 15 Leeds Home
December 22 Worcester Away
January 13 Newcastle Away
January 19 Gloucester Home
February 9 Sale Home
February 16 Northampton Away
It will be interesting to compare these scores to our games against Moseley and Bedford two sides whose academies have not been invited to take part.
Sunday, 4 November 2012
Matt Finish the Gloss on Tigers victory
Tigers recorded their 6th straight win in all competitions against the Saints courtesy of a Matt Smith try. That try was the decisive moment of the match as it gave Tigers the lead they never surrendered, if not for George Ford's erratic boot Northampton would have been dead and buried much earlier and the score of 16-12 much larger.
That try was a corker though and well worth winning the game. Steve Mafi won the lineout scruffily forcing Julian Salvi and Anthony Allen to tidy up the possession with strong carries. Ground was gained with a left to right flowing move as Marcos Ayerza breached the Saints 22. Ed Slater carried well getting Tigers on to the front foot and the defence moving backwards and becoming disorganised. Enter George Ford. His game had been hit and miss so far, mainly miss with the boot, but he saw Martin Roberts and Mark Sorenson on the fringe defence and took advantage. He straightened and moved slightly towards to the ruck getting on to Sorenson's inside shoulder. Coming like a steam train on his now trademark inside line was Flying Fijian Vereniki Goneva, Roberts had no chance to close the gap. As the crunching tackle from the full back came in Goneva's unconventional off load laid the path clear for Matt Smith to finish off the lovely move. 5 phases, 10 players handling the ball, marvelous stuff all round.
If only the rest of the game was so thrilling. Saints looked turgid and constipated in attack, never really threatening Tigers line at all, whilst the Leicester crowd was cheered by some good positions that came to nought.
The lack of England internationals certainly contributed to the lack of cutting edge, for all Matt Smith or Tom May are very good players they don't have the X factor of Manu Tuilagi or Ben Foden. It is a bit of a joke that they schedule big matches between the top 4 for international periods, let alone a big derby match to boot.
There were a couple claims for a penalty try, first when Allen was taken out off the ball with the try line begging then when a maul was collapsed millimeters from the Saints line, but referee Greg Garner didn't even consider them penalties, let alone penalty tries.
Tigers discipline was good; only giving up 5 kickable penalties. One of those was a scrum penalty and as that is such a lottery it is hard to blame Castro too much. Northampton in contrast gave away 8 chances, though Ford's profligacy did give Tigers a lot of time in the Saints half.
Many comparison are drawn from George Ford's game, most of them like to compare him to the automaton Jonny Wilkinson myth that the press created. But really he is a classic Leicester fly half in the Andy Goode mould. Hit and miss. His highs are magnificent recalling the range of skills of Carlos Spencer with the application of Dan Carter; but his lows can be awful and frustrating. 4/9 with the boot is a very Andy Goode statistic, getting just enough to win the game but missing a hat full for no obvious reason. His inspiration turned the game but if we had lost it would have been his wastefulness to blame. Such is the life of a fly half.
Graham Kitchener and Ed Slater were again impressive with their carrying game and their rucking looks to have improved. Julian Salvi was very impressive and is almost single handedly responsible for Tigers disruption of any opposition possession. But it was Vereniki Goneva's pass after the tackle that sprung the game from its coffin and it is he who is my Man of the Match. The Champagne is in the post!
That try was a corker though and well worth winning the game. Steve Mafi won the lineout scruffily forcing Julian Salvi and Anthony Allen to tidy up the possession with strong carries. Ground was gained with a left to right flowing move as Marcos Ayerza breached the Saints 22. Ed Slater carried well getting Tigers on to the front foot and the defence moving backwards and becoming disorganised. Enter George Ford. His game had been hit and miss so far, mainly miss with the boot, but he saw Martin Roberts and Mark Sorenson on the fringe defence and took advantage. He straightened and moved slightly towards to the ruck getting on to Sorenson's inside shoulder. Coming like a steam train on his now trademark inside line was Flying Fijian Vereniki Goneva, Roberts had no chance to close the gap. As the crunching tackle from the full back came in Goneva's unconventional off load laid the path clear for Matt Smith to finish off the lovely move. 5 phases, 10 players handling the ball, marvelous stuff all round.
If only the rest of the game was so thrilling. Saints looked turgid and constipated in attack, never really threatening Tigers line at all, whilst the Leicester crowd was cheered by some good positions that came to nought.
The lack of England internationals certainly contributed to the lack of cutting edge, for all Matt Smith or Tom May are very good players they don't have the X factor of Manu Tuilagi or Ben Foden. It is a bit of a joke that they schedule big matches between the top 4 for international periods, let alone a big derby match to boot.
There were a couple claims for a penalty try, first when Allen was taken out off the ball with the try line begging then when a maul was collapsed millimeters from the Saints line, but referee Greg Garner didn't even consider them penalties, let alone penalty tries.
Tigers discipline was good; only giving up 5 kickable penalties. One of those was a scrum penalty and as that is such a lottery it is hard to blame Castro too much. Northampton in contrast gave away 8 chances, though Ford's profligacy did give Tigers a lot of time in the Saints half.
Many comparison are drawn from George Ford's game, most of them like to compare him to the automaton Jonny Wilkinson myth that the press created. But really he is a classic Leicester fly half in the Andy Goode mould. Hit and miss. His highs are magnificent recalling the range of skills of Carlos Spencer with the application of Dan Carter; but his lows can be awful and frustrating. 4/9 with the boot is a very Andy Goode statistic, getting just enough to win the game but missing a hat full for no obvious reason. His inspiration turned the game but if we had lost it would have been his wastefulness to blame. Such is the life of a fly half.
Graham Kitchener and Ed Slater were again impressive with their carrying game and their rucking looks to have improved. Julian Salvi was very impressive and is almost single handedly responsible for Tigers disruption of any opposition possession. But it was Vereniki Goneva's pass after the tackle that sprung the game from its coffin and it is he who is my Man of the Match. The Champagne is in the post!
Friday, 2 November 2012
Teams named for Bonfire night Derby
Sparks are sure to fly as arm breaker Callum Clarke returns from his 32 week ban, for viciously snapping Rob Hawkins arm, at Welford Road of all places.
A hot reception is surely in order for his return as feelings over the attack are still running high. Rotten Tomatoes are encouraged whilst fireworks and knives are probably going a bit far.
Tigers make 11 changes, 9 forced. In the front row Marcos Ayerza makes his first start of the season after Logovii Mulipola is ruled out with a knee injury, meanwhile England's Autumn Internationals claim the other 7. George Chuter replaces Tom Youngs, Martin Castrogiovanni replaces Dan Cole, Graham Kitchener replaces Geoff Parling, a finally fit Julain Salvi replaces fill in openside Thomas "the tank" Waldrom whilst JC misses out with a "stinger" so his place goes to Richard Thorpe, at scrum half Ben Youngs comes in for Sam Harrison who drops to the bench, George Ford takes over from Toby at fly half whilst Matt Smith comes in at centre for Manu Tuilagi. Niall Morris is selected ahead of Vereniki Goneva on the wing.
Summer signing from Doncaster, Michael Noone could make his tigers debut from the bench which also features academy front row prospects Fraser Balmain and Jimmy Stevens.
Saints are missing Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden to injuries as well as Tom Wood and Lee Dickson to England's cause. Tom May comes in at full back Stephen Myler whilst youngster Jamie Elliott takes over from Russian winger Vasily Artemyev.
Tigers:
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Niall Morris
10 George Ford
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Louis Deacon
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Richard Thorpe
Replacements
16 Jimmy Stevens
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Ed Slater
20 Michael Noone
21 Sam Harrison
22 Dan Bowden
23 Vereniki Goneva
Saints:
15 Tom MAY
14 Ken PISI
13 George PISI
12 Dom WALDOUCK
11 Jamie ELLIOTT
10 Ryan LAMB
9 Martin ROBERTS
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA
2 Mike HAYWOOD
3 Brian MUJATI
4 Samu MANOA
5 Mark SORENSON
6 Calum CLARK
7 Phil DOWSON (capt)
8 GJ VAN VELZE
Replacements
16 Ross MCMILLAN
17 Alex WALLER
18 Paul DORAN JONES
19 Ben NUTLEY
20 Rhys OAKLEY
21 Alex DAY
22 Luther BURRELL
23 Vasily ARTEMYEV
After the last match up between the two Dorian West and Richard Cockerill had a fight in the Sixways car park, hopefully we'll get all the fighting on the pitch this time. And if not lets at least pray somebody films the scrap so we can all rejoice in it for years to come.
A hot reception is surely in order for his return as feelings over the attack are still running high. Rotten Tomatoes are encouraged whilst fireworks and knives are probably going a bit far.
Tigers make 11 changes, 9 forced. In the front row Marcos Ayerza makes his first start of the season after Logovii Mulipola is ruled out with a knee injury, meanwhile England's Autumn Internationals claim the other 7. George Chuter replaces Tom Youngs, Martin Castrogiovanni replaces Dan Cole, Graham Kitchener replaces Geoff Parling, a finally fit Julain Salvi replaces fill in openside Thomas "the tank" Waldrom whilst JC misses out with a "stinger" so his place goes to Richard Thorpe, at scrum half Ben Youngs comes in for Sam Harrison who drops to the bench, George Ford takes over from Toby at fly half whilst Matt Smith comes in at centre for Manu Tuilagi. Niall Morris is selected ahead of Vereniki Goneva on the wing.
Summer signing from Doncaster, Michael Noone could make his tigers debut from the bench which also features academy front row prospects Fraser Balmain and Jimmy Stevens.
Saints are missing Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes and Ben Foden to injuries as well as Tom Wood and Lee Dickson to England's cause. Tom May comes in at full back Stephen Myler whilst youngster Jamie Elliott takes over from Russian winger Vasily Artemyev.
Tigers:
15 Geordan Murphy (c)
14 Scott Hamilton
13 Matt Smith
12 Anthony Allen
11 Niall Morris
10 George Ford
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 George Chuter
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
4 Louis Deacon
5 Graham Kitchener
6 Steve Mafi
7 Julian Salvi
8 Richard Thorpe
Replacements
16 Jimmy Stevens
17 Boris Stankovich
18 Fraser Balmain
19 Ed Slater
20 Michael Noone
21 Sam Harrison
22 Dan Bowden
23 Vereniki Goneva
Saints:
15 Tom MAY
14 Ken PISI
13 George PISI
12 Dom WALDOUCK
11 Jamie ELLIOTT
10 Ryan LAMB
9 Martin ROBERTS
1 Soane TONGA'UIHA
2 Mike HAYWOOD
3 Brian MUJATI
4 Samu MANOA
5 Mark SORENSON
6 Calum CLARK
7 Phil DOWSON (capt)
8 GJ VAN VELZE
Replacements
16 Ross MCMILLAN
17 Alex WALLER
18 Paul DORAN JONES
19 Ben NUTLEY
20 Rhys OAKLEY
21 Alex DAY
22 Luther BURRELL
23 Vasily ARTEMYEV
After the last match up between the two Dorian West and Richard Cockerill had a fight in the Sixways car park, hopefully we'll get all the fighting on the pitch this time. And if not lets at least pray somebody films the scrap so we can all rejoice in it for years to come.
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