Leicester Tigers
Tigers v London Welsh Match Preview
By ChrisC
February 4 2013
Jerusalem. Whenever I fly back into England the words of my favourite hymn come involuntarily into my head. Written by William Blake and set to music by Sir Hubert Parry it just sums up England for me. And did those feet in ancient time. Walk upon England’s mountains green: And was the holy Lamb of God, On England’s pleasant pastures seen!
I never fail to be amazed at how verdant England is with its woodlands, hedgerows and fields, even the towns are remarkably green, peppered with parks, sports grounds, verges, gardens and squares all providing oasis of nature in even the most unpromising of landscapes.
And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here,
Among these dark Satanic Mills?”
Never is this perception of a green and pleasant land more marked than when I fly back from southern mainland Spain or especially from the arid and volcanic island of Lanzarote.
I like England and being English. I rail against being obliged to declare myself as being British. The Scots are proud of being Scottish, the Irish of being Irish, those hailing from the Isle of Man of being Manx and the Welsh are equally proud to declare themselves as being the progeny of the land of their fathers and quite right too. So why can’t I be English and proud of it? Why is being English seen by the chattering classes as somehow outmoded, arrogant, jingoistic and xenophobic, especially as it’s an established fact that God is an Englishman!
Yet oddly when I’m abroad nobody seems to have any problem with my being English. “Ah English!” is usually the response as I use my execrable Spanish which, in the absence of a regional dialect, is a real giveaway as to my nationality, that and my terrible grammar which I just don’t seem to able to master.
So I welcome the fact that this week’s visitors to Welford Road celebrate their roots and I especially like the London Welsh Male Voice Choir. The club only lists seven Welsh born players within its forty-five man first team squad but that’s an improvement over London Irish who at one point had just one Irishman in their number.
I thought I’d catch up with events before getting to matters in hand.
In their last Premiership encounter Tigers eventually (and literally) fell over the line for a controversial win after their scrum had comprehensively dismantled yet another pack of forwards and, for the second time in three weeks, registered a brace of penalty tries.
Without Salvi starting the early exchanges at the breakdown were bossed by Kvesic and, without Allen, Tigers’ defence looked in disarray.
Flood had a bad day with the boot on a pitch that looked like the set of “Oh What a Lovely War” and when the involvement of Rob Hawkins and Warriors’ own James Percival in a tackle by Flood on erstwhile Tiger Andy Goode conclude with the portly fly half beyond the horizontal and landing on his shoulder matters didn’t improve for Mr Flood. While the match officials saw nothing especially untoward the hysterical reaction by the usually sensible ESPN commentary team persuaded the increasingly risible citing officer to call Flood before a disciplinary committee (aka the Marsupial Assizes), although an almost identical incident at Adams Park the following day passed without comment save for the Yellow Card that was given to Tom Varndell who was the supposed culprit.
Flood was, quite rightly and in an all too rare outbreak of common sense, cleared and played in the Heineken Cup the following weekend.
Once Cole, Ayerza, Salvi and Allen galloped onto the Sixways mud things looked better culminating with the sequence of play that led to the final try, a beacon of hope in an otherwise dark Friday evening performance. But as they say (who are “they”?) “A win is a win” and Tigers finished the last round of the Premiership in third place, just three points behind Quins who held on to top spot with a victory in Oxford, by just five points, over Tigers’ opponents this week; Lyn Jones’s London Welsh.
It was a dogged performance by the Premiership’s newcomers and after a first half when Quins turned on the style, roaring into a substantial half time lead, it looked as if it was going to be a bit of a drubbing for the Dragons. However a combination of Quins taking their foot off the pedal and the never say die attitude of the admirable Oxford based club saw Dragons garner another bonus point that could prove invaluable as the season concludes.
Since then Tigers have been engaged in the final rounds of the Heineken Cup and after squeezing out a draw at the Liberty Stadium faced Toulouse at Welford Road with a win enough to see them top the pool and qualify for the knock out stages. A victory they duly provided at a snowy Welford Road and in so doing showed tremendous character against the all star, big spending French team. Now it’s off to Toulon where the Euros also flow unhindered.
With Tigers’ international players once again messing about with England and Italy the LV= Cup lurched to centre stage rather like the Zombie of Rugby Union and here Tigers eventually thumped an inexperienced Wasps team before going to Wales and playing a dead rubber with Scarlets, results the previous day having already sealed Tigers’ fate in the competition.
Following on from their typically resolute Premiership performance against Quins London Welsh have been engaged in their own European campaign in the Amlin Cup where they were unable to get out of their pool and of course they played their part in the quest of the un-dead, otherwise known as the LV= Cup, where they also failed to progress after again losing to Quins.
Elsewhere, as the Two Ronnies used to say, the Six Nations staggered into life and saw Scotland at Twickenham where, predictably, this season’s likely recipients of the “Wooden Spoon” failed to break their thirty year absence of victories at the home of England’s rugby team.
England played well enough but there’ll be sterner challenges to come for the brave new world of Stuart Lancaster. Maybe beating a southern hemisphere opponent on their home turf for example.
It’s been done as recently as June 2010, a feat largely airbrushed out of the current narrative as it wasn’t an achievement of the incumbent coach.
Back at Welford Road George Ford (or perhaps his father and/or agent) has, according to reports, decided that, like Twelvetrees before him, he’s to take the money and run. So the spin goes; he, as Twelvetrees, doesn’t want to rely on merit to get the starting shirt but instead on contractual obligation. Both players must know that this is a condition that Tigers would never agree to – still the extra money will come in handy. Castrogiovanni is also off, but in his case to Toulon to top up his pension. Strange and worrying times for Tigers and English club rugby which, contrary to what we’re told is decidedly not “in a good place”!
Also strange times at London Welsh. Roundly awarded the “Black Spot” and marked for relegation when they were eventually promoted they’ve confounded the naysayers and are tenth in the league, ten points ahead of Sale who remain anchored at the bottom.
Lyn Jones has been ringing the changes up front and while he may start the departing Paulica Ion I think that young Tideswell looks a very modern ball carrying tight-head and he can scrummage a bit as well so it would be interesting to see him try his arm against Ayerza, who’s had Ion in some difficulty in the past.
Tigers are denied the presence of both their first choice tight-heads, so Mulipola will presumably reprise his international role in the #3 shirt, supported by Fraser Balmain who was wrongly Yellow Carded by the ever hapless Greg Garner at Llanelli after Rob Hawkins stood up in a scrum. Ayerza will surely be on the loose head with Stankovitch in reserve.
My guess is that thirty year old French international prop Franck Montanella, who got his one cap way back in June 2007 as a replacement in the touring side’s 42-11 thumping by the All Blacks, will be facing Tigers’ Samoan international prop.
With Tom Youngs away I expect to see Chuter at hooker and probably facing the hugely experienced ex Sale and Bourgoin hooker Neil Briggs who may be preferred to Dan George who played such a key role in his club’s promotion.
Neath born Jonathan Mills, another ex Scarlet, looks the likely wearer of the Dragons’ #4 shirt while Russian Kiril Kulemin, who played for his country against both the USA and Canada in last Autumn’s international merry go round, will probably be the other half of the pairing and present a good challenge. The line out and breakdown being areas where the Dragons haven’t often been found wanting when it comes to aggression.
Although Geoff Parling is with England I expect that with Louis Deacon likely to have Saxon Graham Kitchener alongside him and with Tom Croft continuing his come-back Tigers will have enough to hold the line and maybe even cause the visitors some trouble, especially as Ed Slater will be chomping at the bit to get a piece of the action from the bench.
Even without their usual starting front five I think Tigers will get an edge in the set piece.
In the breakaway trio for London Welsh Tigers’ own roamin’ boy could get a warm welcome back to Welford Road. Since leaving Tigers the 32 year old Adam Balding, who’s had spells with; Gloucester, Leeds, Newcastle and Worcester has now fetched up in Oxford. He’s had a good amount of match time since his arrival and given his knowledge of Tigers may be preferred ahead of Samoan international Alfie To’oala and the aggressive Daniel Browne. Tigers know Balding will endlessly carry the ball and is also a fierce competitor at the breakdown.
Balding will perhaps be lining up alongside ex Bath and Doncaster flanker Ed Jackson, who’s managed to contribute three of his club’s sixteen Premiership tries to evidence his ball carrying skills. It could then be left for specialist open side Mike Denbee, to take on Tigers’ favourite Aussie.
Salvi will be his usual pesky self, hopefully partnered with Tom Croft and, as Thomas Waldrom had a run out in the LV= Cup, I guess Jordan Crane will start at #8. I think they’ll get the better of things.
Micky Young is rumoured to be seeking pastures new at the end of his contract and if that’s the case I hope he has better fortune elsewhere and doesn’t find himself variously injured, unjustly suspended and stuck behind another Sam Harrison who, while steadfast and possessed of a good pass, is stolid and doesn’t ask too many questions of opposition defences. He doesn’t make many mistakes but then if he doesn’t try to be innovative he won’t.
Harrison for me is from the Grindal and Hamilton mould rather than that of Healey, Ellis, Youngs and for that matter Young but my guess is that he will again start.
At London Welsh with Matthew Keyt, signed from Bristol and previously with Bath, having decided to quit the sport, at least for a while, Lyn Jones has been able to reclaim former club stalwart Rob Lewis on loan from Cardiff Blues. Kiwi Tyson Keats, who joined from Aironi, has been getting plenty of game time and sharing the shirt with Lewis while Nick Runciman, who came back on board from Gloucester, has yet to get a Premiership start – must feel like de ja vu for the Cheltenham born half back who fared little better during his time at Kingsholm.
There are mysteries at fly half for both teams with Gavin Henson, missing for many weeks having made just four starts for his most recent employer but still getting three tries. Henson last started in the 4th November’s Premiership fixture when the Dragons entertained Bath at the Kassam and ran out winners by sixteen points to nine. The erstwhile reality TV star went off after fifty-eight minutes with an injury to his back, then seemingly picked up a calf injury in training and hadn’t been seen until he appeared from the bench for a twenty-five minute cameo in last weekend’s LV= Cup match.
Assuming that Henson doesn’t mistakenly get shunted in to start at fly-half I’d expect the thirty-four year old Gordon Ross to be on duty and continue his extended swansong at the top level where he’s enjoying something of a renaissance, being invaluable to London Welsh in their first Premiership season. The twenty-five time capped Scot has contributed 124 points in the Premiership which is approaching 60% of his club’s total tally. Solidity itself, Ross is exactly the kind of presence the Dragons have needed. If Henson does make an appearance at least he’ll be well rested.
Tigers have had their own conundrum with Toby Flood and George Ford away, with Ford reported to be permanently so at the end of the season. Dan Bowden has stepped into the Tigers’ fly-half shirt and made a decent job of it, as indeed he should having made almost 60% of the starts in his career wearing the #10 shirt. I think there’s a risk of the Kiwi’s understated prowess being overlooked not least with the boot. He’s a good kicker, although he wasn’t used in this role against Scarlets, and has a career total of over half a century of penalty successes to add to a few drop goals and over a dozen tries.
If Bowden doesn’t play well then Ford should be in the reckoning if he shows the better form but otherwise surely Tigers’ interests are best served by the adaptable Bowden getting the back-up role to Flood. I rather think that Ford’s most recent selections, which can’t have been on form, were in the interests of “development” for both the player and the club. That mutuality of purpose has seemingly now been removed.
With the London Welsh half backs likely denied too much in the way of a good platform they could find things a bit awkward, especially were Young in the #9 shirt for Tigers.
The excellent Seb Jewell may get another start in the centres for the visitors and partner veteran Welsh international and ex Osprey; the hard as Teak New Zealand born (but capped for Wales) Sonny Parker. I think these two look a good pairing although it could well be that Lyn Jones’s latest signing, Argentinian international and ex London Irish and Quins’ centre; Gonzalo Tiesi will get a debut Premiership start for his new club. I assume the impressive Hudson Tonga’uiha is injured as he hasn’t been seen since he left the field after just six minutes of the match against London Irish on 1st December.
Tiesi always impressed me when he was at Quins and after spells with Stade Francais and Argentinian side SIC he’s back in the Premiership and could face, the happily restored to Tigers, Tony Allen.
Allen would give Jewell plenty to ponder whether in attack or defence and I suspect that another Tigers’ stalwart, in the form of Matt Smith, will be in the outside centre berth. Personally I’d also like to see Matt Tait bringing his pace and elusive running to this area but he looks to be marked out as the heir apparent to Geordan Murphy’s #15 shirt.
Out wide for the Dragons it’ll likely be Hereford born Nick Scott, who’s managed to get over the opposition whitewash on four occasions this term and also collected a Yellow Card. A real predator is Scott and with plenty of pace so he’ll not need many invitations from loose kicking. On the other side Canadian international Phil McKenzie looks a solid candidate for the shirt having himself slotted five tries in all competitions this year and with ex Bristol and with ex Worcester full back Tom Arscott, who like Scott has four tries and a Yellow Card this season, probably charging into the line the visitors have three good finishers – all they need is the ball!
I rather think that Goneva will be on duty this week and paired with Niall Morris. The big Fijian didn’t cover himself with glory against Scarlets so I’d prefer to see Adam Thompstone, who’s having a good debut season for the Tigers. Fit again Geordan Murphy will likely be a bench replacement, as I anticipate that Matt Tait will again be the Tigers last line of defence, continuing his education under the high ball with which Gordon Ross would inevitably tease him.
There could be worse times to visit Welford Road than when Tigers are denied so many of what would be considered their first choice players so if a depleted Tigers’ team is to overcome the visiting London Welsh this weekend Tigers will have to be on their mettle.
I can see a Tigers’ victory. Maybe not Jerusalem exactly but a win would nonetheless raise the spirits!
Digg
Delicious
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon04/02/2013 18:12
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:11:20:21:30 by Tiggs.
Ps what's the local beer/ cidre of choice on tap on Saturday?
Are you sure you and Mark W-J weren't seperated at birth?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:04:21:07:16 by chappers.
"Assuming that Henson doesn’t mistakenly get shunted in to start at fly-half ......!
You are quite right about being English - but I hadn't realised it was a matter of being 'outmoded, arrogant, jingoistic and xenophobic' - I had always thought it was just considered un-necessary to state it (something with which I disagree) as if it should be perfectly obvious to all and the same time implying that those Celts who feel the need to couch their Britishness (for I consider myself both) in national terms do so to disguise a sort of sense of inadequacy. For myself our differences are something to be celebrated - even at the same time as acknowledging that which we have in common.
It is heartening to think that we can put out so strong a team as that you have outlined - and I quite agree that Young and Thompson should start in front off Harrison (correct comparison made) and Goneva - but mostly I want to see a sharpening of our game this week. This is the ideal time for it - the right opponents, at home, with an advantage up-front likely - so let's see some of the 15 man rugby we saw at the end of last season in preparation for the sterner tests ahead. There were glimpses against Wasps last week - now is the time.
By the way - Jerusalem - forgive me the pedantry but is it a hymn? I am not in the least bit religious but I had always understood that it was considered by those who are to be a secular anthem. I know that it was my school song - but specifically not the school hymn.
...
I have to say that I struggle to determine religious meaning in it - though it undeniably has spiritual overtones - which when one considers Blake is unsurprising.
...
Quote:Tiggs
It seems that the London Welsh are a lot more pleasant than the Welsh Welsh ?
Don't fret , the love in stops at 1455 on Sat !
No mention of Dan Caprice as a winger option, though I agree Phil Mckenzie would be my choice on balance; nor of Tom Voyce who has had some good outings. The chances are surely that Tiesi, who I reckon had a good day on Sunday when the Welsh team as a whole did not, comes on the pitch though whether as part of the starting line-up or as sub I don't know. I would like to see him starting. Will our scrum being outdone by Tigers? Not necessarily. Wait and see!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:05:14:10:14 by DanFW3.
Quote:DanFW3
Whilst this preview is not unsound, it seems to have been written from an armchair well away from Kassam Stadium in recent months, if ever visited. For example, not mowing whether Hudson was injured!
Blimey Dan, give the guy a break. I certainly don't know of anyone else who has given so much thought as to the strengths and weaknesses of opposition players in their match previews. Maybe you should quit pontificating and try offering to write an article or two for DD.
I have to say I really enjoyed the article - mine should be available on Dragons' Den tomorrow. Looking forward to comparing and contrasting!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2013:02:05:14:29:51 by Mark W-J.
Quote:an armchair well away from Kassam Stadium in recent months
What you mean a Leicester supporter hasn't been a regular attendee (or even watcher) at LW?
Knowing Chris he has probably spent more time watching LW than many LW fans, certainly more that any of the so called professional journalists, and considerably more than any other Sportsnetwork contributor. As Mark says - why don't you try?
...
An interesting take on Jerusalem: [www.telegraph.co.uk]
I agree it is time to start our season proper
'Lions led by donkeys' .. Lest we forget
Powerful and lovely it is - but also sobering.
...
Second, I cannot possibly write a preview about how I expect Tigers to perform as I have only seen them play London Welsh once during the premiership's existence and last otherwise saw them play Welsh in the amateur days decades ago, don't know their range of players, cannot watch ESPN and have never been to Welford Road which I look forward to visiting on Saturday (subject to a foot operation on Friday). But I do offer my pennyworth of what i think is fair comment on others' contributions as I did here, acknowledging there was little I fundamentally disagreed with and offering my morsels of comment at the fringes, for which I got shot at. Ah well.
More Leicester Tigers headlines
- All the Latest Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News from around the World
- All the Latets Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News From Around the World
- All the Latest Tigers News from Around the World