'We will be lucky if we get them back before the season ends': Parling

Geoff Parling appears to be less optimistic than was previously the case when asked about the likelihood of seeing Freddie Steward in a Leicester jersey again this season.

A fortnight ago, when it was revealed that the England full-back had undergone thumb surgery, the Tigers boss said he was “hopeful” that Steward would be back before the season’s end.

However, during Wednesday’s media session in the build-up to Saturday’s second-place battle with Bath, Parling struck a more cautionary tone when he suggested that Steward and one of the currently sidelined 10s, either Billy Searle or James O’Connor, without specifying which, would do well to suit up again.

“One of the 10s is closer than the others; the other 10 and Freddie, we will be lucky if we get them back before the season ends. Let’s just keep plugging away and see where we get to,” he said.

“One (10) still has some things to tick off before the weekend and one is definitely not playing.”

Parling opted to hand a first PREM start to Charlie Titcombe in last Sunday’s 35-26 defeat to Exeter, but the former Tigers academy player failed to grasp his opportunity as convincingly as fellow rookie, full-back George Peason, who was standing in for Steward.

Pearson fielded high balls with aplomb, where he was illegally targeted at times, reckoned Parling, and scored a try in Leicester’s first home loss of the season.

“He was great. I was incredibly frustrated that we didn’t get penalties there (in the air), because they were penalties, and I have been told that they were, so I thought ‘Pearso’ was very good.

“That’s his strength – under a high ball; he just needs to keep pushing on with his communication and adding that to the group, but I am really pleased with his first PREM start.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

4

Draws

0

Wins

1

Average Points scored

26

19

First try wins

40%

Home team wins

80%

With the Titcombe experiment potentially shelved, Parling still has a quality option at 10 in ex-Bath player Orlando Bailey, if both Searle and O’Connor aren’t available for the clash at The Rec.

Parling is understandably reticent to move Bailey from inside-centre, where he has excelled as a second playmaker, but has no doubts that he could do a job at 10, if needed.

Singing the summer signing’s praises, he said: “I think he has been good all season, I thought he was good again on the weekend. His quality of communication and pass and kick threat is exceptional, we just need to keep him going and keep pushing him.

“I would move Landy to 10, I’d have no problem there,” he added. “His distribution would be excellent, his comms would be excellent, it’s always the balance of the backline and who else is in there.”