Ahh doesn’t that feel a lot better? Isn’t it nice to come away from a game at Welford Road walking away with a smile on your face with a spring in your step? Well I don’t know about you, but I positively bounced down Aylestone Road on the way home from Saturday’s victory over Exeter. It also meant that for the first time since the 2010-2011 season (incredible stat this – thank you Stu Farmer!) Tigers finished a round of Premiership Rugby top of the table. So whilst early days, can we get excited for the rest of the season?
Well here is the case for the answer yes - it was not just the win itself that provided such joy, but the performance as well. From minute 1, Tigers were everything us fans have asked for. They were superb in attack – varied, going through the phases, offloads, options, multiple runners, ball out the back, passes pushing the corners of the defence, the team had it all. The first try for example was a joy to watch. Phase after phase of positive, attacking rugby, at tempo, and stretching the defence. The roar when young Freddie Steward dived over the try-line was loud and deservedly so for it was a try that you just simply purred over. Here we saw the benefits of a full pre-season, with plenty of time to organise a varied attack without games to prepare for. as a result, the team looked fluid with everyone knowing their positions and timings. From this point on, you would expect this to only improve so the opening signs are positive.
It would be remiss of me to not talk about George Ford here, for he pulled the strings from minute 1 and put in quite possibly the most perfect display of attacking fly-half play that you would ever like to see. Shame on you Eddie Jones for not picking him, but your loss is our gain. The delay on the pass, the reading of the game and the execution was just spot on. The perfectionist that he is will be annoyed with the missed kicks, but it was a top drawer performance from Ford, and showed exactly what he was capable of behind a dominant pack.
Then you move onto the defence. A facet of the game that was already in a decent shape after last year under the stewardship of Mike Ford, has now gone up a gear. It’s fierce, aggressive and the intent to get off the line is clear to see. Under new management in Sir Kevin Sinfield, it is clear to see how he wants us to defend, using all that knowledge and experience gained under numerous years in Rugby League. The heart and character on our own line was superb, and stopped Exeter in their tracks and frustrated them at their biggest tactic. We were then equally brilliant in defence in the midfield, with tackle after tackle made, reading all the inside balls and different options that Exeter tried to bring.
It was not just the act of tackling that was impressive, but the force and aggression on show. Time after time, Exeter were not just stopped but pushed back at force. The number of dominant tackles was excellent and great to see. It is difficult to pick out individuals in such a great team display, but George Martin deserves special credit. His reputation in defence is well deserved, and he again had it on full display on Saturday afternoon. For a lad so young, he hits, and hits hard. You dread to think of the power he will have in ¾ years’ time when he is fully developed physically.
The forward pack overall deserves special mention as well. Missing the likes of Montoya, Youngs, Van Staden, Wiese, even Brink off then bench, there may have been concerns that the physical game Tigers like to play may have been hampered. Well not a chance. They harried and harassed Exeter, and put them under pressure throughout. They were dominant in the tackle, stopping Exeter from advancing, but they were also brilliant in attack, and helped stretch their defence with strong carries, and an off-load and passing game that really showcased their skills. We know Tigers have been hard at work during Pre-season, but this really was a perfect example that showed that work has been worth it. There has been plenty of talk about Exeter’s missing players, however throw in the names just mentioned, plus Mattias Moroni, and suddenly the depth in Tigers squad is showcased for all to see.
The forwards executed the fundamentals in both attack and defence, and as well at the line out. No more scruffiness in this department as, bar one missed throw, Tigers were spotless, generating perfect attacking ball off the top for the backs – and Nemani Nadolo in particular – as well as playing their rolling maul game to perfection, culminating in 2 superb pushover tries. What was most impressive was the patience shown and the execution. If any team doubted us in that department, those 2 tries will make everyone take notice of our ability there.
However Tigers were not perfect, and here starts the argument for caution in our excitement and optimism. Our scrum for starters creaked a little bit in the 2nd half. In the opening half, Tigers were solid and won numerous penalties in this department allowing them to clear their lines and set up some decent attacking territory. Whether it was Dolly under pressure the feed, or a failure to strike, Tigers coughed up decent positions and possession to put themselves under pressure, and at times needlessly so. This will be an area that Tigers pride themselves on, and one that they will look to rectify and quickly.
In addition, the high penalty count that tripped up Tigers on numerous occasions last year, raised its ugly head again, with 16 penalties conceded. Now, given the pressure Tigers found themselves under on their own line, a fair few of those can be understood and accounted for, however it was the penalties conceded leading up to that that Tigers and Borthwick will be most concerned by, as it meant that Tigers put themselves under pressure on multiple occasions and bailed themselves out through their terrific defence. Certainly in the future, Tigers will not be so lucky against other teams.
Looking ahead to Friday night against Gloucester, another tough test awaits Tigers. Kingsholm is an intimidating venue at the best of times, especially with a big crowd expected, with a noisy Shed back in action. Tigers and their young players will again need to show heart and character, as they will be tested by both the players on the pitch and opposition supporters in the crowd. Thankfully Tigers’ youngsters look like they are up to the challenge, with a “no-fear attitude” powering them on. They will need that, against a Gloucester team bruised after their away defeat against Northampton on opening day, and no doubt wanting to rectify that in front of a passionate home support to regain some lost pride.
For me, this game is a more important encounter then Saturday was. Fail to back up Saturday with at least a good performance and it will have been ultimately in vain. However, on the flipside, put in a performance, and hopefully a win, and Tigers will receive a very healthy boost to confidence ahead of a humdinger of a game against Saracens the week after. Momentum in sport is a valued commodity and Tigers have a perfect opportunity to grab some in the early stages of the season.
The battle on Friday night will be won or lost in the forwards, as it often is in the Premiership. Here, Tigers, look to have a slight advantage. Gloucester may have Ed Slater back, allowing Ben Morgan to return to his natural home in the backrow, however one look at the teams selected and this is not a vintage Gloucester pack, and not one that Tigers will be having sleepless nights over. But, and it is a big but, Tigers still have to put the effort in. Rocking up, expecting to win will not cut it against this team. From minute 1, the work rate and commitment shown against Exeter will need to be on show again to win the hard yards, and get Tigers on the front foot. Succeed in that, and George Ford and his merry men in the backs will be a happy bunch, as there should be plenty of holes in defence for them to have a go at. Failure to win the forward battle, and the game could end up in a stodgy arm-wrestle that could allow Gloucester back in. Tigers will also have to be wary of the attacking threat that Gloucester pose with Ollie Thorley out wide. A man experienced in scoring against Tigers, he will need to be marked tightly to ensure he does not again feature on the scoresheet.
Overall Tigers go into the game full of heart and confidence with the fans in similar moods. However, you very rarely win anything after the opening weekend, and memories of last year away at London Irish will weigh heavy in Tigers’ minds, where on that occasion, they did not back up a positive opening day victory against tomorrow’s opponents. However, achieve victory at Kingsholm, and watch the positivity increase even further. Early days yes, but from this evidence, optimism is justified. Now go and kick on Leicester again!