Tigers have forgot are just so bloodyprospect does not
EIGHT WINS FROM EIGHT - BUT BATH GAME WASN’T WALK IN PARK SOME EXPECTED
IT had the makings of a perfect storm. Allconquering Leicester Tigers against a Bath side on their knees, without a win since before the summer. By the end, who could have dreamt two months ago that the old rivals, two of English rugby’s most successful clubs, would be 34 points apart after eight rounds of Gallagher Premiership action?
A glance at the scoreline suggests all went to plan. The winning margin of 17 was around what bookmakers suggested it would be - but this was no walk in the park for Steve Borthwick’s side.
There was defiance and desire in Bath’s display. While depleted through injuries and international call-ups, the visitors could still call upon seasoned campaigners Danny Cipriani and Jonathan Joseph in their backline and, when one former England international, Semesa Rokoduguni, went down injured in the first half - they replace him with another in the form of Ruaridh McConnochie. What I’m getting at is that there was still plenty of talent on display.
It’s just becoming so damn difficult to beat this Leicester Tigers side.
So many key moments went their way across the course of the match, again, and it’s no coincidence.
Whether it was Nemani Nadolo hauling down a marauding Will Muir and ending a promising counter-attack or the multiple goalline scrambles, Tigers went on the ropes on more than one occasion in this contest but bobbed and weaved to avoid any knock-out blows.
Even when Bath took an early lead after Max Clark benefited from some excellent work from Tom Dunn and Ollie Fox, panic didn’t set in. Minutes later, Nic Dolly drove over and Tigers were back ahead and were never behind again across the course of the match.
MOONWALKING TOWARDS YOUR OWN GOALLINE
With a driving maul so potent, there’s always something to fall back on if execution elsewhere isn’t on point. Without being anywhere near their best, Tigers managed to register 40 points.
And it’s not just rumbles over the line that are doing the damage. While Dan Kelly’s offload to Matt Scott allowing him to rampage through was an enthralling moment, what were the score’s origins? A rolling maul.
A mass of men moved the ball from just inside the 10-metre line to the 22, allowing Jack van Poortvliet to float laterally and tease a back-pedalling defence.
Try generating linespeed in that situation when you’re moonwalking towards your own goalline - it’s pretty much impossible. Fortune favoured Leicester when Josh McNally’s try was chalked off for a penalty offence, but let it not detract from how, once again, Tigers survived a 10-minute period either side of half time down to 14 men with Cyle Brink in the sinbin.
For the second time in as many games, they hung on manfully and actually scored three points of their own through one of George Ford’s four successful penalty shots.
It was upon Brink’s return that Richard Wigglesworth was introduced. While it would be cheap to call it a “turning point”, given McNally drove over for a converted try six minutes later to get Bath within three points, the Premiership’s most-capped player of all time undoubtedly poured all of his experience and razor-sharp abilities into this encounter in the final third.
He was supported by a man 18 years his junior in George Martin, who entered proceedings at this stage.
This double substitution is a fine example of two (of many) things Tigers are getting right in recent times; recruitment and giving youth its chance.
Wigglesworth had nothing left to prove in rugby union but Borthwick teased in his old buddy with an irresistible offer to turn around the fortunes of a club that once dominated
like the Saracens side of old, for which they both contributed immeasurably.
How many other clubs out there now are wishing they’d have done the same and got Wiggy on board? Or how about giving Dolly a shot at the big time after some impressive display in the Championship for Coventry?
The reshaping of the squad is an ongoing process, but it’s clear where Tigers’ recruitment is headed and it’s delivering results.
As for Martin, he returned from England camp to make his 23rd Tigers appearance and brought all the physicality, impact and workrate that seem destined to make him a Leicester Tigers star for many years to come.
And he’s just one example of a raft of young players who are pumped and primed to be on this ship as it journeys towards calmer waters after years of relentless storms.
RELENTLESS PURSUIT
Ford’s unerring accuracy with the boot was matched by Cipriani’s efforts from the tee as the pair would contribute a collective 38 points from this encounter. The latter can only dream of what it would be like to operate behind a pack so drilled and dominant.
Even when scrums and lineouts faltered, inroads were still made at the breakdown through Tommy Reffell’s career-defining performance (so far) and a rolling maul that is claiming Premiership souls, week after week.
And remember, this was without Ellis Genge and the South African trio of Jasper Wiese, Marco van Staden and Hanro Liebenberg.
Tigers’ pursuit of the win, and the bonus point, was relentless and they got there - just.
On the third attempt of driving deep into the 22, Wigglesworth fizzed a pass in front of Nemani Nadolo, but it was Ford who glided in for his first try in 25 club games.
Then, with a raucous Mattioli Woods Welford Road roaring their side home, Tom Cowan-Dickie “did a Dolly” and secured maximum points.
This wasn’t the walk in the park that some 1/25 odds suggested it might be. Bath took some beating and Leicester left plenty of points out there and rode their luck on occasions. But it seems they have forgotten how to lose. Or are just so bloody-minded and dedicated, it’s just not a prospect that enters their minds.
For all of the visitors’ endeavours, you always felt a home win would be secured. And when a gap was created, the same feeling transferred to securing a bonus point.
So, eight games, eight wins. Tigers could sit back over the weekend and watch the remainder of round eight, knowing they’d be well clear on top of the table for the rest of November as the Premiership Cup games offer even more chances for squad strength to be developed and young players blooded.
Add in Saracens’ surprise draw to London Irish, and Exeter losing to Newcastle, and allin-all, the table makes very good reading!
MAGIC MOMENT
Matt Scott and Dan Kelly’s combination for first try - how good was it to see the centre partnership link up like that? Matias Moroni is some player but it’s hard to argue against this being Leicester’s best midfield pairing. All bases are covered.
MOMENT TO FORGET
Nic Dolly and Harry Wells - the pair both went so close to pulling in Ford’s offload in the late search for a bonus point score, but it bounced off the pair of them.
But they needn’t have worried, the fourth score came shortly afterwards.
I DIDN’T EXPECT TO SEE...
A panda being escorted from the pitch by security staff at full-time. Some fancy-dresswearing lads were having a good time on Friday night, with some taking it a little too far and entering the field of play.
THE OPPOSITION PLAYER WHO WOULD FIT IN AT TIGERS
Josh McNally, Bath’s captain, goes to the well every week and deserved his try. A proper clubman who must be hurting at this moment in time.
OUR TIGERS STAR MAN
Tommy Reffell - with his South African backrow rivals unavailable, the openside flanker took his chance. He adds so much breakdown presence and defensive grit.
You won’t see him with the ball often, others are tasked with that. His job is clear and he does it so well. Surely Wales cannot ignore his talents for much longer.