Leicester Tigers 39 Toulon 19

By Ian C
August 22 2006

So, we’ve returned to Welford Rd for the only ‘home’ pre-season friendly this season. Given the Tigers fans well known reluctance to shell out for non-season ticket games it can be no surprise that most matches of this nature are played away from home.

Plus, it gives the opportunity for team building required in the pre-season, and, as Paddy says, you don’t win anything Welford Rd now.

As preparation goes the match was hard fought and ended in a victory for the Tigers 39 – 19 with seven tries scored by the home side.

Clearly the decision had been made to attempt to move the ball, but the Tigers initially found it difficult to break through the visitor’s defense.
Indeed, Toulon opened the scoring after ten minutes. Jan Delaigue’s kick evaded Tom Varndell allowing Marc Andreu to score. Gonzalo Quesada converted.
The Tigers made it over the line, only for Tony Spreadbury to rule that the ball had been held up. Same again in the very next phase when Luke Abraham was unlucky not to be given the try after a trade mark rolling maul from the pack. Finally Welford Rd debutante Jordan Crane burrowed his way over from close range. No conversion from Goode.
Henry Tuilagi then entered the fray and took off on a typical bullocking run. However, Tigers failed to retain the ball and Toulon struck back from an interception try by Martin Jagr. Quesada this time unsuccessful with the conversion.
Tigers replied shortly after, with Bemand taking the scoring pass from the excellent Croft. Goode was again unsuccessful and the teams went in at half time with Tigers 10 – 12 down.
Toulon again opened the scoring in the second period as Andreu touched down after a chip and chase.
Tigers hit back almost immediately. Tom Croft collected Goode’s re-start and scored from 30 metres.
Next Matt Smith scored to round off Tuilagi’s and Goode added his first points of the night to give Tigers the lead for the first time.
Tiger’s superior fitness was beginning to tell and Tom Varndell raced away for the next try. Replacement fly half Paul Burke missed the conversion. Matt Cornwell added another try after 75 minutes, and Burke converted.
The final score came from Big Jim Hamilton when he took an inside ball from last years supporters player of the year Sam Vesty.

Pat Howard said afterwards that this had been the worst performance in pre-season so far. Clearly the team need to work on ball retention, but the addition of Craig White, the ex-Wasps fitness coach already appears to be paying dividends.


Leicester Tigers:
15 Sam Vesty
14 Tom Varndell
13 Matt Smith
12 Daryl Gibson (capt)
11 Geordan Murphy
10 Andy Goode
9 Scott Bemand
8 Jordan Crane
7 Luke Abraham
6 Tom Croft
5 Ben Kay
4 James Hamilton
3 Martin Castrogiovanni
2 George Chuter
1 Alex Moreno
Replacements (all used):

Julian White
James Buckland
Louis Deacon
Brett Deacon
Henry Tuilagi
Harry Ellis
Paul Burke
Matt Cornwell
Seru Rabeni