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Leicester pick Watson to start with Pollard also primed for debut
New marquee signings Anthony Watson and Handre Pollard are set to make their Leicester debuts this Saturday when the defending Gallagher Premiership champions visit Saracens 15 weeks after they dramatically defeated the Londoners in the 2021/22 final at Twickenham. A last-gasp Freddie Burns drop goal clinched glory that June day and their title defence now steps up a few notches with the inclusion in the match day 23 of their two biggest off-season signings.
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Watson made his first Leicester appearance in the August 19 friendly win at Jersey and was involved again in the following weekend’s home pre-season win over Newcastle. However, he suffered an injury setback on that second friendly and has been unavailable until now for the new Premiership campaign, waiting until October 1 for his competitive debut.
It was October last year when the back, who had toured South Africa with the 2021 Lions, ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament when playing for Bath against Saracens at The Rec. That injury was his last appearance for the club as he never made it back to fitness before the end of the 2021/22 season and it was only in August when he finally played again after a ten-month absence.
Borthwick last week explained why Watson has been missing throughout September. “In one of our pre-season games, Anthony picked up a little strain, nothing major,” he said. “Anthony is an incredible player and has been terrific around this squad, has been brilliant all pre-season and what we want to do is ensure when he steps on that field he is absolutely 100 per cent and ready to go – not just ready to go for one game but ready to go for the rest of the season.
“I want all my players playing well all season and for many seasons. That is what I am trying to balance the whole time. Anthony is going well, heading in the right direction and progressing well.”
The inclusion of Watson is one of eight changes to Tigers’ starting team following last weekend’s impressive come-from-behind derby win at Northampton. Leicester also confirmed that Pollard had progressed well since his arrival and will be on Saturday’s bench for his debut. It was August 27 when the South African limped out of the remainder of The Rugby Championship during his team’s defeat by Australia in Adelaide and Jacques Nienaber feared he could be without the fly-half for the November tour of Europe.
Speaking about Pollard and Lukhanyo Am, another player who injured his knee in that loss to the Wallabies, the Springboks head coach said at the time: “They are out of the end-of-year tour… I’m not 100 per cent sure but I would say I am 80 per cent sure.”
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However, that prognosis changed after Pollard jetted into England to commence his rehab at Leicester and he is now set to make his club debut off the bench at the StoneX after just five weeks on the sidelines. Phil Cokanasiga, Olly Cracknell, Joe Heyes and Kini Murimurivalu have also been named to make their first starts of the 2022/23 campaign after featuring from the bench during the opening rounds.
Leicester (vs Saracens, Saturday):
15. Freddie Steward; 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Phil Cokanasiga, 12. Jimmy Gopperth, 11. Kini Murimurivalu; 10. Freddie Burns, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. James Cronin, 2. Charlie Clare, 3. Joe Heyes, 4. Harry Wells, 5. Eli Snyman, 6. Olly Cracknell, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Hanro Liebenberg (capt). Reps: 16. Joe Taufete’e, 17. Francois van Wyk, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Ollie Chessum, 20. George Martin, 21. Jack van Poortvliet, 22. Handre Pollard, 23. Chris Ashton.
Comments on RugbyPass
South Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to comments