Well that’s all folks! Leicester Tigers’ 38-31 away win against Wasps brought the curtain down on the 2020-2021 season, ensuring that 6th position was secured, as was qualification for the European Champions Cup. Now is the time to say goodbye to those players who are leaving, with some more to be announced no doubt this week as is usual practice. It is also the time to look back on the season just gone, and then look forward to the new season that no doubt will be upon us sooner rather than later! So in the spirit of looking back, here is the first part of my End Of Season Review for Leicester Tigers – how did we do?
Well, in a nutshell, the 2020-2021 season has to be looked at as a success for the club. The raw headlines demonstrate that – a 6th placed finish in the league and losing finalists in the European Challenge Cup. Those achievements are not to be sniffed at, and both the players and coaches deserve huge credit, as do all those who work behind the scenes at the club – everyone involved feeds into the on-field success in some way, directly or indirectly, so credit goes to them too. It has not been an easy season either, with all bar the last few being played behind closed doors, with heavy restrictions in place for training and the testing requirements that come with that. As a result, all those involved in the club will be pleased with their efforts this season, but with the knowledge that ultimately 6th is not the long-term destination for this club.
So, as we start this review, let’s start with the positives and go through the elements of the season that they will be pleased with as they look back on the season just gone. First of all, the season has to be looked at in the context of what went on the previous season, and where we were when this year’s campaign first began in November. That season had ended with another home defeat to Harlequins, confirming the club to a consecutive 11th placed league finish with 29 points achieved. All season only 6 victories were secured, with a draw and a further 3 bonus points obtained. However which way you look at it, that whole season was a miserable one for the club, and this was fully shown when the final whistle was brought down on that game against Quins. The sighs of relief from all connected to the club, that it was finally over, were so audible they would have been heard for miles around. It meant that everything that had gone before, could be buried and it was a chance for a fresh start.
And it is that in that context , that compared to the previous season, Tigers have been successful this year in nearly all performance indicators. In terms of raw statistics, Tigers are ahead in every measure. This year has seen a league finish of 6th – an improvement in 5 positions. 54 points achieved – an improvement of 25, the highest of all the clubs. 11 victories recorded (Covid results are included here also) – an improvement of 5, and 11 defeats recorded – an improvement by 4. This season also saw 51 league tries scored, compared to 35 the year before, a staggering achievement for me, given the entire game plan had to be put together from scratch and how impotent Tigers had been previously. The notoriously porous defence of last season that saw 79 tries conceded (albeit pumped up by a couple of hammerings induced by a rotation policy, that had to be implemented as part of the Covid affected restart) was improved to 62 tries. Points for has gone up from 374 to 478, points against has gone down from 609 to 492. Finally, the points for and against difference has seen a deficit of 235 points last season, go down to a deficit of 14 points this year. Tigers also improved in Europe, improving last year’s run to the quarter-final with a place in the final this season, albeit coming away with a runners’ up medal. It is hard to argue that, faced with all those numbers, Leicester will be happy with their season’s work.
It is not just the raw numbers that a vast improvement can be seen. The abiding feature of Tigers pre-Borthwick was a team that could not the full 80 minute distance, fell away during games, and carried players that were not 100% committed to the cause. Well now, none of those accusations can be thrown at this group of players. Under the eagle eye of Aled Walters, the fitness levels of this group is superb. The commitment levels and never say die attitude are also on full display, with Leicester putting in thunderous tackles and collisions in the final seconds, even in losing efforts. This group of players completely and utterly get what playing for this club is all about – they have heart and character by the truckloads. The storming comeback down at Exeter, where down to 14 men after the first quarter, and completely up against it on the scoreboard immediately comes to mind, as Tigers dragged themselves back in the game and had Exeter worried as they went into the last quarter. If only that cross field kick had been taken by young Freddie Steward, then it may have gone down as one of the most famous turnarounds in Leicester history.
This season also saw an answer to the most asked question at a Fans Forum of recent years – “Do we even practice line outs anymore?” Well yes, yes we do, and some! Not only are we fully fluent in our line outs, but this season has seen the welcome return of Leicester mauling teams to distraction. Time and time again, Leicester have been dominant at the line outs, not only setting up attacking platforms, but in mauling the ball up the field, gaining crucial penalties in the midfield or under pressure near our own tryline, allowing us to either clear our lines or set up a better position up the field. We have also been prolific when it comes to scoring from catch and drive moves, so much so, that you come away almost shocked if a team can stop us from close range. It is not just from 5m out that Tigers cause issues, their drive from the 22 to the Montpellier line got the crowd to their feet roaring them on. Leicester are now a force to be reckoned with in this area, and are probably the best in the league in this area.
In addition, the overall forward play is now superb. Solid set-piece ball at line-outs, as mentioned, is almost guaranteed, but this is also shown at scrum-time. Penalties have been won all throughout the season as Tigers’ pack have put the squeeze on. The departure of Boris Stankovic was seen as being one that would cause the club issues, but Tom Harrison has stepped up with aplomb, with no dip in quality seen. The overall forward play is also one that Tigers have prided themselves on previously and has made a welcome return this season. Big ball-carriers like Wiese, Genge, Wells, Liebenberg, Montoya regularly punch holes in the opposition defence, and allows the scrum-half to be the beneficiary of quick ball more often than not. Leicester’s power game is regularly commented on and admired across the board as the season has gone on, with all opposition teams now fully knowing the damage Tiger can cause in this area. Throw in a full crowd at Welford Road roaring them on, and many teams will be beaten before setting foot on the field like they were when Tigers were in their pomp. The pack now carries a full feeling of menace, and with the additions coming in, will only get stronger especially with another year under the guidance of Steve Borthwick.
Recruitment and squad management has also been a success this season. As touched on last week, and previously, I have commented that this is a much better and balanced squad than before. A core group of 30-35 players are now established, with a good blend of youth and experience, and a much better emphasis on the forward group, which looks a lot more stronger and menacing than previously. The management of this group has also been good, with plenty of rotation seen, allowing players to rest up, come back into the team fitter and able to perform. It has also meant that players have had opportunities to play and a run in the side provided if they did well. Charlie Clare for example has gone from being someone who was barely seen on the team-sheet to one that is now the heartbeat on this side. As spoken about last week, the recruitment is now much better and organised, with more hits than misses. Confirmation that the squad is in a much better place was seen with the discussion for the end of season awards, which was a much tighter affair than previous years.
In addition, this season has seen a vast improvement in the number of youngsters brought through. The news last week of 6 players called up to the England squad were fully deserved for all involved, and a terrific recognition of the hard work both they and the coaching staff have put in. Certainly the likes of Kelly, Martin, Steward, Henderson, JVP, Chessum and Whitcombe have gone from raw talents making their way in the game, to established squad members and in some cases first team-regulars and first choices in their positions. Reffell and Heyes again have now fully established themselves as key components of this team, and are consistently putting in top drawer performances for this club. There are still plenty of youngsters who have not featured this year, who are likely to be retained for next season, who will be itching for their chance to show what they can do. Hopefully next sees a return of the Premiership Cup and the A League so more players can be blooded and keep the succession line going, as this will be crucial with the cuts in the salary cap. Certainly, Tigers are building a very strong spine of the team that has the potential to be putting in high level performances for the next 10 years and more.
The coaching team at Leicester that was derided for so long, is now one that is getting admiring looks from across the rugby world. For me Steve Borthwick is probably the best forwards coach of his generation. His attention to detail and intensity is brilliant, and it is clear to see how and why Tigers have got better. The forward pack is one built in his image, and all credit should go to him for overseeing the improvement in fortunes. Aled Walters again has been instrumental for us, and could have been included in the best newcomer award. Mike Ford is a coach that has took a fair amount of stick from some quarters, however his move to defence coach has paid off handsomely, with our defence being one of our strongest suits all season. Still work to do, but Leicester are much more organised and tightly than last year, which has been bearing fruit for the team. Harrison, as mentioned has stepped up well, with Matt Smith again overseeing an improvement in the attacking game as the season went on. Whilst our weakest area, the team is in a much stronger position compared to the start of the season, with a willingness to move the ball around more clearly seen.
Overall this season has to be seen as one of success for Leicester Tigers and one they will look back on as one that they moved forward dramatically. They are in a much better place as they head off to their summer break, having improved dramatically across the board. As fans, we should be proud of this group of players and coaches and what they bring to the club, and we should be pleased with their achievements this season. No longer are we the comedy club, laughed at across the board. Now, we are respected, and in some cases feared. This has been a good year, providing optimism and excitement for the future, and certainly, there is an enjoyment again to following the Tigers. All credit to those involved, you have been fantastic!
This is part 1 of the End of Year Review. Part 2 will be later this week, and will look at the areas that need working on and improving, as well as looking ahead to next season, for what goals should be set and what Tigers should be looking to achieve. I hope you can join me then!
(The profile pic to this blogpost is taken from Premiership Rugby's twitter feed, any credit should go to them.)