By Ozzy3213
November 19 2013

Well I think it's fair to say that Welford Road has never been a happy hunting ground for us, with a 20-19 win at the end of the 2002/03 season our last league victory there. 

In the intervening 10 years we've chalked up the one draw in 2011/12 and scraped a losing bonus point in 2008/09. On that basis, it might be easy to suggest that we write this weekend off, but hey, our luck has to change at some point. Right?

Notwithstanding two very poor results in the LV Cup, there have been signs that we might be turning the corner. In our last league outing against a very much in form Saints team, we got close, and with a little more precision could have turned them over. We have also seen in the past two weeks the return of Setaimata Sa, a man that some believed did not exist, but who we now know does, and brings with him what appears to be a Mapusua like ability to tackle, as well as some deft offloads and attacking prowess. Also factor in an ever increasing injury list for our opponents, and writing this I am almost convincing myself here that the game is already won.

It's never that simple against Tigers though, is it. Whatever 15 blokes take the pitch wearing their jersey, you know that they are going to give you a game. With injuries and some international fixtures being played this week, it's a difficult task to predict who will take the field for each side, but using a small amount of knowledge and plenty of guesswork, here's my take on the potential head to heads.

I would be slightly surprised if our front row line up isn't John Yapp, David Paice and Leo Halavatau, with Matt Parr and Jamie Hagan certainties for the bench, to be joined by one of Michael Mayhew or former Tiger Jimmy Stevens. For Leicester I would imagine that they will want to get a real platform up front, and returning internationals Dan Cole and Tom Youngs will start alongside Boris Stankovic at loosehead. At face value you would say Tigers should have the upper hand here, but Tom Youngs form has been erratic, and I would imagine that our guys will be instructed to put him under pressure in all areas, especially the lineout, to see if we can get some advantage there. Leo will need to be on his game in the scrums against the underrated Stankovic, and Yappy will need to stand up if we are going to gain parity in this area.

In the second row, it will be fingers crossed for us that Skivs is fit. We have looked a different side when he is on the park this season, such is his influence over the team. Paired with Ian Gough, we have an experienced, combative engine room, that should be able to compete with whoever Tigers put out. From reading some Tigers based literature this week, it will potentially be Kitchener and Parling, and whilst they are an athletic pairing who should do well in the lineout, I would say we can gain an advantage in terms of sheer grunt.

Both back rows are likely to be missing players, with Jebb and Trev still on international duty for us, and injury robbing Tigers of Tom Croft, whilst Steve Mafi is currently on compassionate leave in Australia. We wish him and his family well. For us Bryn, Blair and Mr Hala'ufia is the likely starting trio, with potential for one of our old boys Jamie Gibson to be lining up against us, alongside Julian Salvi and one of Thomas Waldrom or Jordan Crane. Quick ball is what both teams will be wanting, and the breakdown is likely to be key, meaning the battle between Salvi and Cowan could be crucial. Salvi is the specialist, and vastly underrated by many, but we will need to negate him, if we are to come out on top in this area. Cowan, whilst not a natural 7, is very strong over the ball, and will need to be so, if we want to be on the front foot.

At halfback, I would expect it to be England vs. Ireland, with Youngs and Flood returning for Tigers, and TOL and iHumph running things for us. Flood will undoubtedly play flat and attack the line for Tigers, with Youngs looking to snipe and keep our back row honest. If they get decent ball, they could cause us problems. TOL and iHumph have to do the same. iHumph is at his best taking the game to the opposition, be that attacking ball in hand or using his boot to get us into good positions. Being conservative will not win us this one and much will hinge on how well he plays. If he has one of his good games, there is definitely the firepower behind him for us to score some tries.

In the centres I would expect Eamonn Sheridan to start at 12 for us, such has been his form this season. The 13 shirt however is wide open. Fergus Mulchrone has done ok, but Guy is big physical presence, and there is also the option of a certain Mr Sa starting there. My preference would be Guy to start, to give us a real physical presence there, but Smiffy may see it differently, depending on how he wants us to play. For Tigers, they are down to the bare bones in this area, and if they are fit I expect that Dan Bowden and Matt Smith will start. Both good players, but I don't think we should fear either of them, and we know that there is potential to attack down Dan's channel. We will need to watch him in attack though, as we know he has vision and the hands to exploit what he sees, but my money is on Eamonn marshalling him well enough.

In the back three, for my money, we have a real edge on our opponents. They will be choosing I believe from Niall Morris, Blaine Scully, Adam Thompstone and Miles Benjamin. All good players, but I imagine we will be three form the four of Topsy, Marland, Losi and JOC. I genuinely wouldn't take any of theirs over ours, and if we can create some space for them, our guys could well cause Tigers some serious problems.

Overall, this should be a good game. Both teams I would say are better in attack than defence, so there is a decent chance of seeing a few tries if you are attending, particularly with it forecast to remain dry in Leicester on Saturday afternoon. Both teams also need the win, Tigers to try to get back into the top 4, and us to really kick start our season. The danger with this scenario is both teams going out not to lose, and being stunted by the fear of failure. Both Directors of Rugby though, I believe, will send out their teams with the instruction to go all out to win, and hopefully that will produce a real spectacle for the fans.

My prediction? Well it's Tigers, at Welford Road, and with us having not won there for over 10 years, only a fool would predict an Irish win. Ah well, call me fool, Irish by 5 with JOC grabbing his first try in green!

COME ON YOU IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!