Leicester Rugby Video clip Score: 4 / 5
Author: admin
LEICESTER READY FOR BIG MATCH
Leicester’s Scott Hamilton insists that when the Tigers take on Gloucester their opponents will not be the only ones aiming to play attractive rugby.
The clash sees fourth take on fifth and sees potentially two of the most watchable sides in the league meet. Gloucester have developed a reputation this season for playing ‘nice rugby’ and being prepared to run the ball wherever possible. But it is Leicester who have picked up more try scoring bonus points than anyone in the league so far this season. The Tigers are also the side to have scored the most tries in the league.
Gloucester go into the game on the back of impressive victories over Harlequins and Northampton whilst Leicester are coming off a 6 try annihilation of Newcastle last weekend.
Hamilton is sure this weekend’s clash will be a good game, he highlights Gloucester’s dominance in dry weather and shows that the Tigers know the strengths of their opponents. When the two sides met last year it was one of the best games in the Premiership’s history. 10 tries were scored in total and the sides drew 41-41.
Both sides are on good form, and Leicester are in some good try scoring form. This week’s game may not be quite the spectacle of last year but Hamilton is confident of a good game. “I am not sure it will be 10 tries like there were in last year’s 41-41 draw but it should be a good game in front of a big crowd”. Whatever crowd does turn up there is every chance they will be entertained, between them Leicester and Gloucester have scored 75 tries this season.
With the table so tight this fourth against fifth clash could prove crucial in the race for the play offs. Just 15 points separate third and tenth and just 6 separate third and seventh. Defeat could see either side lose places and victory could see them climb the table. Whatever the result, whatever the weather, this game will be intriguing and hopefully as entertaining as it seems set to be.
Aviva Rugby Premiership 2011-12 – Round 10 Wrap-up highlights
Leicester Rugby Online video Rating: three / five
TIGERS APPOINT COHEN
Leicester Tigers have appointed Simon Cohen as their new Chief Executive Officer.
Cohen has worked for the club since 2005, first as Head of Rugby Operations and then in September 2011 he joined the Board of Directors in the new role of Acting Chief Operating Officer.
With a vast and varied background as a sports lawyer, Cohen has previous experience of representing the England rugby team, the British and Irish Lions and the Rugby Players Association.
In addition, he founded the nationwide rugby coaching company Rugby Class, and prior to his move to Leicester worked as agent for a number of England stars including Jonny Wilkinson.
Meanwhile, Leicester Tigers’ domestic campaign gathered further strength with a comfortable LV= Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle.
After crashing unceremoniously out of the Heineken Cup, the two-time European champions have been forced to concentrate on domestic matters, and a 24-13 victory at Welford Road has secured their first LV= Cup semi-final berth in four years.
In snowy conditions number 8 Thomas Waldrom, who was released from England training earlier in the week, scored a try in the first half as the Tigers established a 19-6 lead at the interval.
George Skivington crossed the line after the break to put Leicester out of sight, while the rest of the points came from the reliable boot of fly-half Jeremy Staunton.
The Irishman made way for the returning Toby Flood with just under half an hour left, a development that England coach Stuart Lancaster will no doubt have noted with Italy on the horizon next Saturday.
The Tigers will travel to the Rec to face Bath under the floodlights on Friday, March 9, where the winners will face either Northampton Saints or Llanelli Scarlets at Worcester’s Sixways Stadium the following Sunday.
LEICESTER IN DO OR DIE MATCH
Leicester will be up against Ulster this Friday at Ravenhill as both teams fight it out for a place in the last eight. Both teams, former champions of the tournament have a do or die match in front of them as they look to book a place in the quarter finals.
Only three points separate Leicester, Ulster and Clermont in the fourth pool and hence this will be a very decisive match between the former champions.
Ian Humphreys and Pedrie Wannenburg of Ulster have been declared fit for the encounter and this news will lift up the spirits of the team and the fans alike. Humphreys had picked up his hamstring injury and Pedrie Wannenburg his ankle injury in their team’s encounter with Edinburh. But now since both the players look fit to make a return, the only change that will be taking place in their line up will be that of Paddy Wallace replacing Ian Whitten who has been benched.
Nigel Brady will also be making his hundredth appearance for this club as he replaces Andi Kyriacou.
On the other hand the director of rugby of Leicester will only be making only two changes while preparing to face their strong opponents. Both these changes are going to be made up front as Martin Castroqiovanni and Marcos Ayerza have been the choice of the director.
According to Cockerill, they have a strong team as he has been rotating the squad over the past few weeks in order to avoid player fatigue and weariness. He says that his players are fresh and ready to take on the opponents. He also believes that his players have been playing well over the past few games and look in good shape and form. He acknowledges the fact that Ulster are a very good and tough side and he agrees that it is a must win match for both the sides and hence the competition will be tough.
Let’s see if it is Leicester or Ulster that wins this crucial tie and advances to the quarterfinals.
HUMPHREYS BACKS TIGERS
Former Leicester fly half, Ian Humphreys is adamant that the Tigers will bounce back from the “freak result” against Humphreys’ current side, Ulster.
Humphreys was in great form, dictating play as the Ulstermen ran out 41-7 victors, handing Leicester their heaviest ever European defeat in Belfast last Friday.
Humphrey’s played for the Tigers for three years between 2005 and 2008, helping them to a league title, an Anglo Welsh cup and a European triumph in his time at Welford Road. Despite still feeling a certain level of affection for his former club, Humphreys was delighted with his new clubs triumph and the extent of victory in a game he, understandably believed would be a far closer encounter.