Playing Bears will be a ‘great challenge’, admits Borthwick

DAUNTING TRIP TO HOME OF PREMIERSHIP LEADERS

LEICESTER Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick labelled Bristol Bears as an “outstanding team” ahead of Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership clash at Ashton Gate. The day after Tigers secured a 27-8 victory over Wasps at the Mattioli Woods Welford Road, league leaders Bristol cruised into a 25-point lead before halftime at London Irish.

But a spirited fightback from the hosts saw them draw level at 34-all before blowing a late chance to win it.

“I think Bristol have a style of play that they back,” said Borthwick, pictured left.

“They’ve recruited players to fit that style of play, spending money in the squad to fit that style of play.

“It was certainly an interesting game, the turnaround on the scoreboard.

“I am sure what Bristol will be doing this week is focusing very much upon the style that they played in that first half and how they can continue that for 80 minutes.” Borthwick’s side have picked up moraleboosting wins at home against Bath, Worcester Warriors and Wasps but their struggles on the road continue.

Their only win away from home this season, in games settled on the pitch rather than by Covid-19 cancellations, came in Bayonne in the European Challenge Cup.

Tigers’ last Premiership victory on the road was 16 attempts ago in the closing rounds of the 2018/19 season, when Guy Thompson scored two tries to seal a 27-22 victory at Newcastle Falcons.

Focusing on the challenge ahead, Borthwick said: “I think each game we play we want to improve. We want to get better. That is very much the focus for ourselves.

“If you look at where we’re starting from, the point we started from was a very low point. There has been a decline for a long period of time.

“What we need to do is learn fast, faster than the opposition so we can accelerate our growth.

“Everyone is trying to learn, everyone is trying to get better.

“This is a great challenge. They’re an outstanding team.

“They’re got a squad that’s packed full of internationals from all around the world. So we know it’s a big challenge but it’s one we’re very much looking forward to.”

Borthwick also confirmed that Nemani Nadolo’s comeback from a leg muscle injury was looking “very positive” and that Premiership rules that limited the number of overseas players in a matchday squad to two was a factor in Argentinian fly-half Joaquin Diaz Bonilla’s continued nonselection.

The 31-year-old was last named in a 23-man squad for the trip to Bayonne but was an unused substitute.

His last appearance was the win over Brive in the first European

Challenge Cup game while his last outing in the Premiership was the defeat away to Exeter Chiefs in round three.

Meanwhile, Tigers have agreed terms with Shalva Mamukashvili to allow the front-rower to be released from his contract early and leave the club immediately.

The 30-year-old Georgia international, left, joined Tigers in the summer of 2020, during the Covid enforced suspension of the 2019/20 season, and made his debut away to Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate when the campaign restarted.

Mamukashvili has made 79 international appearances for The Lelos, including five since joining Tigers, but has now departed the club to return home to Georgia.

Borthwick said: “We wish Shalva all the best in his next chapter and thank him for his efforts in a short stay at Leicester Tigers.

“For reasons outside of and in our control, we are re-shaping this squad and will continue to do so as we move forward on this journey.

“We have been open and upfront about those necessary changes and are confident in the group we are building at Leicester Tigers to represent the club, our supporters and community into the future.”