U21 Review 2002-2003 Season

By Tigerstart
April 30 2003

The newly structured U21 League has created a proper system to showcase up and coming talent in a competitive structure – home and away games with bonus points that mirrors the Premiership.

In it’s inaugural year, Tigers are in a league of their own as they are sitting pretty as leaders of the U21 Championship.

The U21 squad play a back-to-basics game, as they focus on making their tackles, spreading the ball wide, using the forwards to drive down field and opt to take penalty kicks to build a cushion of a score line. Ultimately, they put together a unanimous squad performance characterised by a game of dynamic rugby with a strong pack aided by engaging backs.

The pack ethos involves hard graft and drive as a unit typified by the way in which they can push over the opposition and win opposition lineout ball. The backs are alive, constantly recycling possession, and through their vision spin the ball wide to seek the try line. Both the forwards and backs engage in key support play. However, Leicester are prone to giving away penalties and coasting through periods of the game. Overall, Tigers intelligently use the ball, doggedly defend and, importantly, create a solid platform to work off.

U21 Players
Having made a flourishing start to the season, with only one defeat, it is difficult to put forward individual names, but some of the key players this season and the ones to watch are the following (some of which have already graced the Welford Road pitch as for the first team but we will be seeing more of these talented players in the years to come as they work their way into the first XV):

ABC Club of Peter Cook, James Buckland and Michael Holford
Without any doubt the up-and-coming front row club of Cook, Buckland and Holford are the key forwards to the U21 pack. Their performances have brought England U21 call-ups. The bubbly trio pack down well and graft hard for every game. Cook was voted MOTM against London Irish as he put in a stunning all-round performance and against Saracens he was found loitering on the wing. Holford was voted MOTM against Saracens, as he was such a powerful player, always ready for the lineout and up for the game, especially motivating other players – just what you want in a hooker. Holford also came on as a replacement for the Tiger XV against the Barbarians XV for Neil Back’s Testimonial match recently. Having scored 2 tries a-piece against London Irish, Buckland and Holford were on top form. Not to be left out, Buckland is a hard worker. All of them are ubiquitous and can interchange with other front row partners.

Lee Morley (NO.4)
Lock Morley is a strength in the lineout and always works hard in play. Against Wasps, he put in an awesome display as he was the creator and recipient of two tries as well as upsetting their lineout.

Ben Gerry (NO.8)
Captain Gerry against Sale and Bristol is a quiet but hard worker back row. Gerry can be counted on to put in commanding performances whilst grafting well and he scored against Sale and twice against Saracens. Gerry has also made his debut for the first team this season.

Luke Abraham (NO.8)
Abraham, who has made his first team debut at Welford Road, was voted MOTM for a stunning display against Wasps U21s. A strong NO.8 Abraham has been favoured before Gerry for the more recent U21 games. Against Saracens he scored two tries and showed strength by peeling off from a pack manoeuvre.

Nathan Jones (NO.9)
Scrum half Jones is rated by many. A pivotal player, he is quick to the breakdown and gets involved in support play. Against Bristol, he broke from scrum and kicked into touch, which put Bristol back defending their own line. Jones also commands the game well.

Will Rolt (NO.9)
Scrum-half Rolt is an impressive player. Against Bath he dictated the forwards with an immense command of the game and provided an ideal platform of quick ball for the backs to use, as he was on the ball and always ready to release ball, recycle possession and support.

Luke Myring (NO.10 and NO.15)
Flyhalf and full-back, and possibly centre or wing, utility back Myring is an impressive player. As NO.10 is a key position, you need a dependable and reliable player. Against Saracens, Myring was the key pivotal player with his magical boots, as he continually opened up their defence, set tries for other team members and kicked conversions. Myring’s boot can produce some devastating kicks, especially across field. Myring is the strategic link in the backs and injects life into the game.

Tim Taylor (NO.10 and NO.15)
What more could you want than an interchangeable utility back who can easily switch from fly-half to full-back, then you have this is Taylor. At NO.15, Taylor is a solid full-back who seeks to attack. Against Bath, Taylor switched to NO.10 and controlled the game comfortably from and kicked well to clear lines or for territory.

Danny Hipkiss (centre)
Hipkiss is a classy centre, who has made a number of first team appearances. He has put in some fine displays for the U21s. Against Bath, it was the Hipkiss show – as he was everywhere in play in rucks/mauls, kept breaking out from midfield and showed a clean pair of heels. Against Bristol he used clever trickery by kicking over their defensive line to push them back.

Luke Sayer (NO.15)
Sayer is an attacking full-back who puts in a positive display. Not only is Sayer dependable ,but he seeks to attack from deep and get involved in play.