If Leicester Tigers under Steve Borthwick could be likened to a band, they would be Oasis. Loud, uncaring about what people think about them, doing things their own way. Like Oasis, Tigers had a decent debut season under Borthwick, finishing sixth, showing potential for further growth – just like Definitely Maybe. Tigers’ second season, replicating Oasis’ What’s the Story Morning Glory, is where they hit the big time – winning the Premiership trophy making stars out of them in the process.
It is hard to process how much of a flying success last season was for the East-Midlands side. Top from the first to the last, breaking a record in doing so. Winning the first twelve games of the season, which pretty much secured a play-off place in the process, before confirming that not long afterwards. Young players led the way for Tigers, with Freddie Steward, Jack Van Poortvliet and Joe Heyes (amongst a vast list of so many others) all thriving. There were incredible last gasp wins against Saracens and Bristol, meaning the good time feeling had come back to Welford Road even before the final. That afternoon, now in Tigers folklore, will live long in the memory for all Leicester supporters. An incredible 80 minutes saw the side outthink and outmanoeuvre a much more battle hardened and experienced Saracens side, culminating in that infamous drop goal from Cult Hero Freddie Burns to win the game and the trophy. Not for nothing is Freddie now called The King of Leicester.
So now Leicester have hit that same challenge all bands do – the difficult third album. This is made more challenging when it is a follow up to a masterpiece. Can Tigers follow it up with more success, or will it be like Be Here Now? Overhyped, underdelivered and a bit of a damp squib.
This torturous metaphor will now come to an end, but the point does stand. After last season’s masterful season, Tigers do face a tougher challenge to repeat the feat, with more hurdles to overcome. There has been a change in personnel with key members of the title winning side Ellis Genge, George Ford and Matius Moroni all leaving this summer, with fan favourite Nemani Nadolo going back home to Australia before Christmas. The success of last season has meant Tigers are now facing increased International call ups. Five went on the England tour with Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson staying at home. If not for injury, then Dan Kelly and Nic Dolly would also have come into contention for selection. Tommy Turnover Reffell was picked for Wales and instantly booked himself into a ten year International career from it. If you include Jasper Wiese, Julian Montoya and new-signing Handre Pollard into the mix, then you can start seeing that Tigers’ squad will become tested as the season goes on.
In addition, Leicester are now a known concept, they have a target on their back with the rest of the league wanting to bring them down. That added pressure brings its own set of challenges, something that these young players will not have experienced before and will need to adapt to.
However, despite these challenges Tigers are still in a strong place. Their young talent are still miles off hitting the ceiling of their potential and will be better for another year’s development. In addition, there is another generation of talent coming through the pipeline – keep an eye out for Lewis Chessum, Sam Edwards and Emeka Illione both this season futures one, who are coming into contention for first team duties. The recruitment, now much improved at the club iis also delivering. Handre Pollard and Anthony Watson are the star signings, however Ollie Cracknell, Jimmy Gopperth and Phil Cokanasiga are all clever signings, adding both options and depth to Borthwick.
Leicester are also blessed with having arguably the most exciting coaching team in the division. Steve Borthwick has established himself as one of the best young coaches in European rugby; delivering the Premiership trophy within two years of taking over a club that was a basket case when he arrived is testament to that. Kevin Sinfield’s defensive masterclasses went a long way in delivering the title for Leicester, whose miserly defence was based upon Sinfield’s Rugby League prowess; expect more of the same this season. In addition, Aled Walters is the third key cog in the wheel. Leicester’s game plan is based upon being tougher, more physical and dynamic than their opponents, in all aspects of the game for the 80 minutes. That they can do so is thanks to Walters who puts his players through hell both in pre-season and throughout. However, the results are there to see. Leicester are arguably the fittest and strongest team in the division; that brought them so many victories in the final quarter of games, both in holding off their opponents, powering ahead from level or coming from behind when all seemed lost. If Leicester are to repeat last year, holding the advantage of being the fittest and strongest will be needed.
Europe was the only slight disappointment in a season of positives. Leicester finished the group stages top of their pool and comfortably dispatched Clermont Auvergne both home and away in the last 16. In the Quarter-Final however they disappointed against Leinster. The men from Dublin had it too easy in the first half as Tigers were a shadow of their usual selves. Whilst Leicester roared back in the second half, and put Leinster under pressure, they were still too error strewn and had ultimately too much to do. Given the reduced salary cap against the financial muscle of the Irish and French sides, progression in Europe will be tough. A repeat of a Quarter-Final will be an achievement, with Tigers knowing that in the knock-out stages anything can happen.
There are two areas that will determine success for Leicester. Squad Depth for starters. As mentioned, they will have more players away with Internationals than previously, with a reduced salary cap providing an additional squeeze. As a result, Leicester need to be fortunate with injuries and will need both the wider squad and their development squad to step up where needed. If that next generation coming through can take to first team rugby as well as the likes of Ollie Chessum, Dan Kelly and Freddie Steward have done, then Leicester will be in a strong position to repeat last season.
Secondly with Nadolo leaving, a new attacking game will need to be developed to cope with the massive hole the flying Fijian leaves behind. Massive holes in the opposition defence are what Nadolo creates with his barnstorming runs, with the 20 stone winger being a key component of how Leicester construct their attacking game. Tigers use Nadolo as a nineth forward, and he is usually an agent of chaos of phase one ball into the heart of opponent’s defences as well as using his pace out wide too. With him leaving, Leicester will need to think carefully about how they attack, with more thought given to guise, brains and subtle space creation to unlock defences and create chances for their men out wide, rather than rely on raw power through Nadolo. With Chris Ashton and Watson, Tigers still have quality wing options, however are different players to Nadolo and need a different game plan as a result.
Key Players
It is tough to pick only three as Leicester truly rely on a squad effort with contributions expected of all their players.
Handre Pollard – With Ford gone, a new playmaker has been found, with few better than World Cup winning Pollard. He looks like he is back to his best with South Africa, he will be key in orchestrating Leicester moving forward.
Jasper Wiese – Now growing out of his hot-headed behaviour, Wiese now looks a top drawer 8. His trademark carries are what Leicester have built their game around. Without Wiese in the side, Tigers look worse for it.
Julian Montoya – World class is a phrase used too often to describe players. Montoya fully lives up to that billing, with his mauling, carrying and defensive work all superb. His jackaling however sets him apart and makes him potentially the best hooker in World rugby.
Who to Look Out for
Cam Henderson – Unlucky to have suffered a serious knee injury that put him out for most of last season, it is easy to forget that Henderson was on the verge of Scotland appearances in Summer 2021. His line out work and mobile carrying is excellent and will only improve under Borthwick.
Sean Jansen – The definition of a moneyball signing. Jansen was plucked from a New Zealand building site in March and in his short time at the club has impressed with his physicality and aggression. With Wiese away, watch out for Jansen staking a claim for the 8 jersey.
James Whitcombe – the young loosehead impressed last season with his scrummaging and workrate. With further time and experience he will only get better, expect Whitcombe to be challenging James Cronin for the starting jersey as the season progresses.
Prediction
Leicester were the deserved Champions last season and were the best team throughout the year. Whilst they will find life tougher than they did previously, they are still well equipped to win the trophy again. Expect them to be amongst the front runners as before and be in contention for silverware come May time.