By Loosehead (29/08/02)
August 29 2002

Of all the teams to face at home on the first day of the season, the one most teams want to avoid is Leicester. However Leeds Tykes have drawn the short straw & kick off their second ZP campaign against the reigning League and European Champions. Leeds will be looking for a repeat of their 37-16 victory over the Tigers last November, while Leicester will hope to make a strong defence of their title. Leicester will arrive at Headingley with a string of injuries to their back-line. Out are Player-Coach centre Rod Kafer, Other centres out include Ollie Smith, Glenn Gelderbloom, and Leon Lloyd, also injured is Geordan Murphy. Most other teams with players of this calibre missing from their side would no doubt cause their coaches many a sleepless night. But not for Dean Richards and Leicester, they will simply call upon another unknown from their U21 side and catapult him in to the first team where another star will be born.

Phil Davies will hopefully have been monitoring the situation at Welford Road and will be looking to his new additions to the Tykes back line. Jon Callard will be looking to take advantage of the "weakened" Tigers back line. It is here I believe that Phil Davies will be looking to exploit the Tigers’ Inside Centre channel. If they are to secure a famous victory over the Tigers, Braam Van Straaten, Tristan Davies and George Harder need to be attacking the Leicester midfield.

Battle of the Hookers

Games are not won by just the backs but also by the forwards, who do all the dirty work and get no reward. It is here where the true strength of Leicester lies, with their pack of seasoned internationals. In Leicester’s front-row will be Rowntree one third of the infamous ABC Club and the French Monster Franck Tournaire. Leeds Tykes have gone with Captain Marvel Mike Shelley who will anchor the scrum at tighthead, alongside former Stade Francais prop Justin Wring, who will hopefully have had prior experience of playing against Tournaire. With potential future England Honours at stake “The Battle at Hooker” between Dorian West and Mark Regan will prove to be a rather interesting tussle. The Leeds Front row will have their work cut against the opposite numbers but it is important for Tykes to hold their own on their put in.

Second row clash

All eyes will be on the Tykes second row where last season we struggled, with Palmer and Murphy picked to lead us off they will be facing the England and Leicester 2nd rowers Martin Johnson and Ben Kay, who are probably the best second row combination in the British Isles. Palmer and Murphy will have their work cut out to contain the Leicester pair but Tykes do need to secure at least 85% of their line out ball for the match.

The Tigers back row

The Leicester back row is a sight to behold with 2 of the best Flankers in the world over the last 5 years in Back & Kronfeld. Not that many years ago they were probably the Number 1 and Number 2 opensides in the world - some may say that one of them may still be? Leicester also has England heir apparent Lewis Moody, it’s almost criminal to have 3 International class flankers vying for 2 places! Leicester also have “Mr Duracell” Martin Corry, of England and the Lions who just goes on and on.

Tykes Pack

In the Leeds back row is Cammy Mather. Cammy had a superb season last year doing all the dirty work that nobody sees, at 7 we have Dan Hyde, Leed's "Mr Annoying" - he likes to get up the nose of his opposite number - hopefully he will prove to be more than a handful for Neil Back. The Tykes’ Number 8 is Issac Feaunati whose strong running from the base of the Scrum will be vital if Leeds are to break the gain line.

The backs

With Leicester edging it in the forwards, Leeds will need to exploit their backs. Dan Scarbrough and Diego Albanese should provide the pace, Braam Van Straaten and Tristan Davies the steel in midfield, and the new Ross and Hegarty pairing will harass Healey and co. However I believe our key will lie in our secret weapon this season.... step forward George Harder. George will be very instrumental for the Tykes this season, he is very quick, strong and knows his way to the try line. He is, I believe, our ACE in the team.

So the final verdict? My prediction this weekend will be Leeds 31 Leicester 24.