When the phrase “All-Rounder” is used in a sporting term, thoughts instantly turn to cricket, a sport with a long and illustrious history of great “All-rounders” especially in this country. The names trip off the tongue – Stokes, Flintoff, Botham etc. However the term can also be used when it comes to rugby, and especially this Leicester Tigers team, who are currently sitting pretty at the top of the Gallagher Premiership table having recorded 5 wins from their first 5 games. This has been their most impressive start to the season for many a year, however they face another tough assignment this upcoming Saturday at home to Sale Sharks.
As stated, this has been a most impressive start. When this season began, I spoke on The Rolling Maul podcast (a fine listen if I could be so bold), that I could see us with 5 wins from 5, however I could have equally have seen us dropping points somewhere down the line. This was due to those 5 fixtures being both equally all winnable, as well as tough fixtures that Tigers would do well to come through. The fact we sit top of the table having gone 5 from 5, should provide great cheer to all those supporting Tigers, and should hopefully give the playing & coaching staff great pride in their achievements. I write this perfectly knowing that nothing is won in October, and that there is an awful lot of rugby still to be played. However if you cannot get excited by what we’re seeing so far, you never really will, so let’s enjoy it – especially after the ordeal we’ve all gone through from 2018-2020.
There are many aspects to the start Leicester have made that will provide Steve Borthwick and his coaching team a lot of joy, and it will not just be the results in itself. The squad is looking good, performances from big players have been strong and new signings looking great will all be high on his agenda. However what I think will impress him the most will be how Leicester have got the results they have. 5 wins yes, but 5 different questions posed, and 5 different answers found. On top of that, 5 different performances – all of high quality.
By doing this, Leicester are well on their way to becoming what all the best teams are – good all-rounders. Whatever the venue, whatever the opposition, whatever the circumstances or problems thrown at them, they find a way to win. And so far Leicester are doing that. This thought process and ambition was confirmed by Scrum Half and Attack Coach Richard Wigglesworth last night on the BBC Leicester Rugby Show – who advised that the team want to be that team for all occasions. This mindset is one that all the best rugby teams have, whether at club rugby or International level. What is most exciting is that whilst Tigers are currently 5 from 5, they still have more to give. Even if the 48-3 demolition of Worcester Warriors last weekend, there were aspects of their play that were not perfect, and would required remedial work to fix at Oval Park.
If you look at each of the games so far, you can tick off the different types of win that Tigers have chalked up. It is not just Tigers fans who are noticing this either. With each week that goes on, opposition fans are starting to take notice of the progress that Borthwick and his band of merry men are producing, and commenting on it accordingly. Not only that, the fear factor that Leicester used to carry around with them is beginning to return accordingly. With each week that goes by, more teams are beginning to become more worried by the thought of having to play Leicester. Last year teams were slow in respecting the team. Now, not only do they respect us, they are terrified at playing us.
The Dominant Win
Given the competitive nature of the Premiership this season, any win is to be cherished, no matter how they come by. However, Tigers in both their home game against Exeter, and the recent away win against Worcester were deserved winners, and completely outplayed their opponents. The win at Warriors was described their Head Coach Jonathan Thomas as being the “most complete Premiership performance he had seen”. After watching the game, it is hard to disagree. Tigers were physically dominant, outworked, outthought and outclassed their opponents from minute 1. What was most impressive was that in recent seasons Tigers have not put away opponents or not took advantage of their superiority on the scoreboard. Here they were ruthless and took Worcester to the sword.
Against Exeter, Tigers displayed a full range of their abilities. Strong in attack, physical and organised in defence, with physicality throughout. They were superior to Exeter in all facets of the game, and put them under such pressure that by the final whistle, Exeter looked deflated and looking like they had ran out of ideas, even if they were without many key players. In both games, Leicester were deserved winners, and made sure they came away with an attacking bonus-point to underline their strong play. It is one thing to win, but to win in such dominating fashion will please us as fans, as well as Steve and the coaching and playing group.
Holding Off The Comeback
Gloucester away saw Leicester play some good rugby, as they lead their opponents from first whistle to last, and whilst not quite as dominant as against Exeter, they proved good value in their win, chalking up another bonus point win. However the qualities that won them the away fixture was the fight and resilience, especially in the final moments of the game. Tigers, through their own errors, always kept the door open to Gloucester, who threw the kitchen sink at Tigers as the click turned to red. However Tigers repelled the home side, with tackle after tackle thrown at them, to stop them crossing their line and come away with a tie. That “You shall not pass” attitude was supremely impressive and great to watch. Not only that it was a great demonstration of their fitness to hold out whilst under the pump so much. Aled Walters would have been proud of the work ethic and commitment on show.
The Dramatic Comeback Win
Saracens at home, in torrential rain, and high wind was a game for the purist, with both teams spending their time kicking the ball and chasing frantically. Over the course of the 80 minutes, Saracens slowly turned the screw and put the squeeze on Tigers. Kicking better, tactically they were better and had the upper hand in the territory stakes. However, and most importantly, Leicester stayed in the game. They gradually nudged themselves into parity, and made sure they did not got blown away. This made sure they could set up one last opportunity to win the game under their opponent’s noses – an opportunity they did not pass up, with that one final rolling maul winning them the penalty try that won them the game.
Such wins go down in history, one for the dramatic ending, and the glorious scenes of celebration amongst us supporters, as well as the manner of winning. Finding a way to win is so important, especially in good teams, and ensuring you stay in the fight to allow yourself the chance of victory is a behavioural point that marks out the best from the rest. Did we burgle the win? Yes. Were we second best for a lot of the game? Yes. However, did we win the game? 100% yes. And that last point is what counts. Whilst you won’t want to do it too often, it’s a good trait to never give up and snatch victories from the hands of defeat.
The Dogged Win
London Irish away was a victory that was achieved without Tigers ever really getting into their highest gear, and had to again come from behind to win the game against dogged opponents. What was most impressive about this victory was how Tigers figured out their path to obtain the win. By shortening up the game plan and adjusting their tactics accordingly, they ground down their opponents, squeezing them so much they could not recover. Dominating territory and the possession for that last 20 minutes allowed Tigers to set their game plan, and over power their opponents, winning and scoring 3 straight penalty kicks to get them over the line. Pretty is was not, however it was a supremely impressive 20 minutes, and showed the improvement in their game management to get them the 4 points.
Overall Tigers are looking good. They are being tested week on week by different opponents and in different ways, and so far Leicester have shown they gave got the answers. This Saturday proves to be the toughest test of the season, against a supremely physical side in Sale Sharks, who come to Welford Road having won both previous encounters last season. Again Tigers will be tested, and likely in different ways than what they have faced so far. On the evidence so far, Tigers are in a good position to be able to find the answers. A win is far from guaranteed, however Tigers have every right to be feeling positive.