WRW MONDAY: JUST YOUR AVERAGE SATURDAY
A first half to remember
Rampaging, rollicking good fun for any Tigers supporter on show at Welford Road in the final game before (some) fans return.
In truth, the game’s opening 30 minutes was as good as Leicester have produced all season and it brought all the conditions of their recent relative success to bear - breathtaking physicality with Genge, Wiese among others, with Reffell tackling everything that moved, Ford’s clever, almost sly distribution, precision in setpiece delivery and a pace in attack which has started to pick up.
It was one of those games where you knew instantly Leicester were up for it in a major way and how the Crumbie would have rocked.
One thing which becomes more and more noticeable is how the gameplan is evolving, with Nadolo more eager than ever to to get stuck in at midfield. Up against his former employers on Friday night, this smiling assassin might just be a handful.
And yet, if there is one thing that still needs to improve consistently, it’s Tigers’ try-count. Four tries against Harlequins doesn’t hurt but that was only Leicester’s fourth of the season. Quins have twice as many as do, as do Bristol, Exeter and London Irish.
It’s not a prerequisite - Sale have only four try bonus points and are 2nd right now - but it would definitely help Leicester’s cause.
History occasionally offers only one perspective and it may be that the comeback against Ulster becomes characterised as the moment when Tigers finally ssaid they were “back.” But this win - Tigers’ first against a side currently in the top 5 of the league - might be more significant.
Smith v Ford
The game itself had been billed as England’s current 10 against England’s future 10. No matter what the critics say about Tigers’ dominant pack, Ford won the mini-battle hands down and for those watching closely, showed a wider variety of attack.
That might come down to specific game-plan but there is much to admire in Smith. I love the way he stands so flat to the defensive line, draws contact and spins the pass like a bat out of hell to 12 or 13. There weren’t too many breaks of his own making on Saturday and it is immensely effective, great to watch and suits Quins down to the ground.
He achieved similar success against Leicester at The Stoop and you can see why. But Ford is perhaps a little craftier with the delayed pass - two in the same move for the opening try for Matt Scott set the tone. Where was the similar variety in Smith’s game, as unfair as it is to look at one game in a fledgling career?
Defence coaches and analysts will get wise to Smith eventually, but there is time enough to add to his game. For what it is worth, giving Ford the summer off to recharge the batteries and picking Smith makes complete sense but if it works, the pressure to pick Smith this autumn will be intense. Eddie Jones’s obstinacy is well-known but perhaps - as frustrating it is to my colleagues in London - picking Ford remains the best option at 10.
CROWDS COME BACK
And we can’t wait….
I really feel for those who missed out on the ballot for the Bristol game but if you can get time off work, do come and get a ticket for Twickenham this Friday. Tickets appears not to be sold out but I know it’s not cheap.
As far as Welford Road lays out, look out for the following:
The Crumbie Stand (ncluding the terrace) will still be off-limits to all bar TV as well as players and staff and remain a sealed-off bubble.
Fans will be spread out across the other three stands so I strongly suspect you will not be in your usual seat.
Expect mask-wearing at all times obviously and for movement from your seat to be restricted.
The club will no doubt issue further information in the days to come but let’s make sure this goes well.
MONTPELLIER UPDATE
Expect Friday’s opponents to be ready for that Twickenham Final.
Montpellier made 14 changes for Saturday’s 34-10 defeat at Stade Francais, with just Canadian lock Tyler Duguid surviving from Tuesday’s victory over Toulon.
But will they be fresh?
Because of Covid postponements, the men from the Herault are on an insane pileup of fixtures which will see them play seven games May. (28 days to be precise). After the Friday showpiece, they will face Bordeaux-Begles on Tuesday - potentially in an unofficial European Super Cup before completing the regular season against Bayonne on Saturday May 29th.
Head coach Philippe Saint-Andre’s team are still not mathematically safe either, although two bonus points from their remaining games will achieve that.
Red card issues for the blue and white
Montpellier may also have a problem at loose-head. Gregory Fichten was sent off in that Stade Francais game and faces a disciplinary hearing tomorrow.
Georgian international Mikheil Nariashvili - a survivor from Montpellier’s 2018 Top 14 Final appearance - is out for the season, while another Georgian Levan Chilachava has been released early to join Castres where he was heading next season anyway.
If Fichten is suspended for Friday, they just have the experienced Enzo Forletta and 22 year-old Yannick Arroyo left who has yet to start a Top 14 game, as likely candidates for Twickenham.
The only other candidate is Pretoria-born Academy prop Rob Rodgers, who turns 20 next month and may yet trigger (!) a solution. However, his 43 minutes as a replacement against Stade Francais were his first in the Top 14 and if he plays, we shall see what happens.
Unless a tight-head can switch, watch this space.
QUICK HITS
Once again, global rugby sticks together on an important issue..
Look out for all of Leicester’s Argentine contingent here…this is just the long list.
The Pumas have two Tests against Wales in Cardiff in July, then two more in the autumn against France and Italy, as things stand.
And in quite a shock…
A real talent and perhaps an underappreciated one at that. Good luck to you Kyle.
Thanks for your company as we kick off a second successive Cup Final week and without wishing to wallow in City’s triumph on Saturday too much.
If you’ve not already seen this footage and see what it means to be an owner beloved by the players, then drink this in..
Oh….and why not?
See you Wednesday..
Chris