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Tuilagi stood down but struggling Tigers still have many big guns for Big Game 12 at Harlequins
Jaco Taute and Kyle Eastmond return to the Leicester Tigers line-up for Saturday’s trip to face Harlequins at Twickenham Stadium.
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The duo team up at centre for this weekend’s round seven Gallagher Premiership clash season with Noel Reid reverting to the bench and Manu Tuilagi sitting it out as the only changes to the backline following last Saturday’s home defeat to Exeter Chiefs.
In the forwards, there is a place for Sam Lewis in the back row alongside Jordan Taufua and Sione Kalamafoni, with Calum Green moving into the second row alongside Tomas Lavanini after Will Spencer’s head-knock against the Chiefs.
Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Manu pulled up sore after a busy game last Saturday and a lot of carries, so we want to manage him during what is a long season and so have decided to stand him down this week.
“Kyle and Jaco have trained a lot together this season and worked together in the midfield, so we’re confident they will partner up well for us on Saturday.
(Continue reading below…)
England and Leicester midfielder Manu Tuilagi talks to RugbyPass about all things Lions
“We did a lot of good things in the first hour against Exeter and scored three good tries. But we missed out on a few attacking opportunities in the second half and I think if you can capitalise on one of those, then it’s a very different game. Now we have to build on the work from the first 60 minutes and put out a big performance.”
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Meanwhile, scrum-half Danny Care will become the only Harlequins player to have played in every edition of Big Game since it was first played in 2008. Boss Paul Gustard has named an unchanged pack from the side that beat Wasps last weekend at the Ricoh Arena, with only two changes in the backs.
American centre Paul Lasike replaces the injured James Lang at 12, while Fijian international winger Vereniki Goneva makes his first Gallagher Premiership start for Harlequins against his former club.
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Gustard said: “Big Game is such an important fixture for the club and a special one to be a part of for not only the players, coaches and staff, but also for the supporters who turn out in their numbers to enjoy an outstanding day of sport at Twickenham.
“All that said, of critical importance to me and the players is the simple fact that it is the next game and the next opportunity for us to move forward with our collective performance and build momentum in the league.
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“While we have had a couple of days with our families and away from the club, my mind doesn’t waver too far from the challenge this formidable Leicester Tigers side presents. It will be a great occasion and a thrilling contest and one we need our supporters to be in full voice for. We want our song to roll like thunder down the stands and help inspire our team to excellence.”
HARLEQUINS: 15. Ross Chisholm; 14. Cadan Murley, 13. Michele Campagnaro, 12. Paul Lasike, 11. Vereniki Goneva; 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Danny Care; 1. Joe Marler, 2. Elia Elia, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Stephan Lewies, 5. Matt Symons, 6. James Chisholm, 7. Chris Robshaw (capt), 8. Tom Lawday. Reps: 16. Jack Musk, 17. Santiago Garcia Botta, 18. Will Collier, 19. Tevita Cavubati, 20. Alex Dombrandt, 21. Martin Landajo, 22. Brett Herron, 23. Gabriel Ibitoye.
LEICESTER: 15. Telusa Veainu; 14. Adam Thompstone, 13. Jaco Taute, 12. Kyle Eastmond, 11. Jonny May; 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Tom Youngs (capt), 3. Dan Cole, 4. Tomas Lavanini, 5. Calum Green, 6. Sam Lewis, 7. Jordan Taufua, 8. Sione Kalamafoni. Reps: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17. Facundo Gigena, 18. Nephi Leatigaga, 19. Harry Wells, 20. Tommy Reffell, 21. Ben White, 22. Noel Reid, 23. George Worth.
WATCH: RugbyPass went behind the scenes with the Barbarians before their recent clash with Wales
Comments on RugbyPass
Lions 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 commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to commentsNice piece Nick. I haven’t seen much of the brumbies this year so will keep my powder dry on charlie, but clearly has the speed and footwork to be damaging in space. Similar to Samu, I’d worry about the size of our pack if the likes of Mcreight and Cale were in the b/row together. Maybe Cale could play a similar finisher role like Samu did for Rennie’s wallabies. Has Cale leapfrogged wilson in your eyes? He obviously has the lineout, but harry probably better (although not great) in the physical stuff and also has great hands in the loose. You’d have to say mcreight and valetini are shoe-ins at 7/8, so the question becomes who matches best with them at 6 and on the bench. I don’t know if he has a high enough ceiling, but id love to see wright given a shot based on how much bad luck he has had with injuries. He may also fit that no-nonsense graft/work rate irish approach…? If schmidt wants size and a 4/6 tweener then I’d probably pick Uru. On the bench I’d have no idea, Wilson if you want to give valetini a rest, and maybe hanigan/wright/uru as 6 replacements.
21 Go to commentsWho the heck is Billy Fulton?
13 Go to commentsCale has all the potential no doubt. So has Harry Wilson except for his dumb arse coach over the last few years who told him just to run at brick walls all the time. Valentini would be devastating at 6. As he was until some idiot thought oh yeah, move our best player to another position. Not mentioning any flightless or thank you names of course. I very much dislike claiming one player is the saviour, because injuries are so prevalent in the game these days as the players are bigger and faster, so the discussion should be who are at least the best two players in one position. For me it’s Harry Wilson and Cale at 8 at the moment with Valentini or Hooper from the Brumbies at 6. Great options. Seru Uru should be in the reserves too. A game changer.
21 Go to comments