Sale Sharks vs Leicester Tigers preview

By Hobbledehoy's Dad
February 6 2004

Listeria, or specifically Listeria monocytogenes, was once a very apt name. Without giving any back-handed compliments, they were a team of consummate professionals created by the Big Man legend “Deano”, who imposed his own grinding forward style of forward game on all comers.

It was a winning formula and gained everyone’s grudging respect.…

In this topsy-turvy season and to some extent last, the Tigers have often appeared clawless, with a distinct lack of match winning ability. Even with the return of a pack full of house-hold names they are curiously still stuttering. They languish in the lower half of the table, twelve points adrift of the top six. In Europe, the mauling of Ulster was wasted, by naively losing the following game at Welford Road to Stade. A deeply flawed game plan and absence of an in-form kicker, putting paid to both Deano’s magnificent tenure and the vestiges of waning reputation. How short the memory…

Will they come to Edgely Park liberated, or in turmoil? Neither. That black-eyed giant Ferengi, and the workaholic Back are certain to come to Edgeley Park totally re-focussed on trying to superhumanly regain league position so as to be in the top six at the end of the season. For any other team, any other captain, this would be too big an ask. But Johnno, yearning for a new challenge, now has one worthy of his stature! Edgeley Park will be the first critical step and it will be a familiar one; imho Lester will revert to plan A.

In the pack; Rowntree, West and Morris, bettered by the French last week, will be out to prove more than a point, and powered by Kay and Johnno, they will give our tight five the severest of tests in both scrum and maul. Our front row squad will need to exhibit all of the shark-teethed ferocity they have shown this year to negate them. We were all hoping Sherri had been nurtured back to full power for this game; we will miss him, but his absence at least clarifies our game-plan.

With Fullarton out of the equation, Schofield and Jonesy will also need to face up in a major way in all phases. Our recent Lineout success may not come so easily; if they have any sense (of which there was little vs. Stade) Lester will throw specifically to avoid our Jonesy, and our defense at ensuing mauls will be tested to breaking point. Our back row of Sanderson, White and the ever improving Lund will have their hands full all afternoon. Back, Johnson and especially Tuilagi have played well enough to keep Corry on the bench, up till now. Following last week Corry’s better lineout ability may see him preferred. Henry Tuilagi being used as a replacement impact player in the second half. Look out for his impact late in the game.

On a wet night in February, we would all know what to expect; but the forecast is set to be fine; ultimately, the outcome may depend on ball retention and pressure; the performance of the respective back rows will be critical. Hugh Perrett gains his first place on the bench following an impressive debut for the Jets on Monday.

In the backs, through transfer and injury Lester have lost that critical spark and have never really fired on all cylinders. Booth, Ollie Smith, Lloyd, Gelderbloom and Frank Tuilagi are all individually dangerous on their day, but have never really jelled as a unit. Daryl Gibson is now also available, and may be preferred as a foil to our Bondy.

With both sides having unsettled, injury-hit back-lines, It is hard to see either side dominating.

At half-backs; Wigglesworth vs. the mercurial Ellis is also difficult to call.

Jaco van der Westhuyzen, as a 10, is not yet quite looking the part, so I wouldn't be surprised to see either Ramiro Pez , or Andy Goode, starting and a big change around in the backs, Jaco reverting to 15, and with either Smith or  the reliable Gelderbloom on the bench.

For the Sharks, the major problems caused by the loss of Charlie H. , then Dan Harris and now Basil, haunt Jim Mallinder. Jos Baxendell is dependable and slick, but these days rarely an individual match winner at 10. Many think him a far better centre; we will see on Friday.

After several weeks of poorly penetrating back play, Jim has been tempted into taking the bold step of starting with new signing Mike Hercus. His reasoning is clear to see; although barely integrated into the squad, he is the best available substitute for Charlie Hodgson. Other options have been tested, and have failed to really deliver.

Although Jason, Bondy and Handley all are due big games, our back line will need to be at its fluid best to better them in attack, and show massive improvement in communication and in defence to keep the opposition out all evening. Herco’s selection, with Josh as inside centre, is certainly the most exciting, if untried, option available. Jim Mallinder, under (for most fans, unreasonable) pressure to get results, is certainly prepared to back his own judgement and take a bold step.

Chris Mayor, who has had mixed success so far at centre, will be filling Frank’s shoes on the wing. Vaughn can count himself unlucky to be on the bench. He is once again looking more dangerous in attack, I expect him to come on to add variety in the second half.

Forecast .

If Herco makes the sort of debut we can but dream of, and the Sharks can put aside their own uncertainties, and play for Jim, the treble and to write history; then a hard fought home win is possible.

Without that focus and unity of purpose, we could suffer a backlash Deano would have been proud of, and Lester may go home with more than a win….