Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Fit-again Anthony Watson evokes bad memories for coach Michael Cheika

By PA
Anthony Watson of Leicester warms up ahead of the Gallagher Premiership Rugby match between Bristol Bears and Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate on December 03, 2022 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)

England wing Anthony Watson could return to the Leicester starting line-up for Sunday’s Gallagher Premiership clash against his former club Bath.

ADVERTISEMENT

Watson has won more than 50 caps for his country, but also endured some torrid times through injuries.

He missed the 2023 World Cup in France due to a calf muscle problem, while he was restricted to just two Leicester appearances last season.

Video Spacer

‘That Manie Libbok kick will follow him’ | RPTV

The Boks Office crew react to South Africa’s one-point loss to Argentina, with all to play for in Nelspruit this coming weekend. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Video Spacer

‘That Manie Libbok kick will follow him’ | RPTV

The Boks Office crew react to South Africa’s one-point loss to Argentina, with all to play for in Nelspruit this coming weekend. Watch the full show on RugbyPass TV

Watch now

Tigers head coach Michael Cheika has confirmed that Watson is available for what will be his first Gallagher Premiership home game in charge.

“I have not been across what has happened to him recently, but he’s been pretty good in pre-season around his availability,” Cheika said.

Fixture
Gallagher Premiership
Leicester
15 - 20
Full-time
Bath
All Stats and Data

“He’s had a few little setbacks, but has done most things. He had a setback towards the end (of pre-season), which is why he wasn’t available for the first game (against Exeter), but it’s good to see he is available now.

“I don’t know too much about his journey with injuries. I just remember him carving us up when I was coaching Australia.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We were talking about the 2015 World Cup, when he scored the try down the right.

“It’s one of the rare times I thought in a game ‘we are in a bit of trouble here’. It was a brilliant try, the crowd went crazy, and when you are the opposition team away from home there is a bit of a wave coming.”

Leicester Tigers XV
15 Freddie Steward [89]
14 Anthony Watson [18]
13 Izaia Perese [1]
12 Dan Kelly [82]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins [23]
10 Jamie Shillcock [27]
9 Jack van Poortvliet (C) [74]
1 Nicky Smith [1]
2 Charlie Clare [96]
3 Joe Heyes [142]
4 Harry Wells [200]
5 George Martin [66]
6 Hanro Liebenberg [108]
7 Tommy Reffell [115]
8 Olly Cracknell [44]

Replacements
16 Finn Theobald-Thomas [10]
17 James Cronin [35]
18 Dan Cole [324]
19 Côme Joussain [1]
20 Kyle Hatherell [21]
21 Ben Youngs [315]
22 Ben Volavola [1]
23 Mike Brown [27]

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

LONG READ
LONG READ A tale of two cities: Gloucester and Bath set to resume hostilities A tale of two cities: Gloucester and Bath set to resume hostilities
Search