End of Season Report 2002-03 Part I

By Rich W
June 13 2003

OK I think we’ll all agree that this season hasn’t lived up to either recent history or expectations. But, if we were honest, it was always going to be difficult.

We all knew that it had to end and if it’s been a rather more dramatic decline than we might have expected there are at least, a number of unexpected and (hopefully) temporary factors to consider.

So, before I go on to consider individual performances I’d like briefly to consider some of those factors.

First: England. Now those regular readers of this site will already know that I’m no great fan of Clive Woodward. Magnificent player that he was, I find that he brings too much of that flaky, erratic bent which made him so dangerous a broken field runner to his responsibilities as a manager cum coach. That said, it would be churlish to deny the improvements which England have made under his control, culminating in finally achieving the Grand Slam, which maybe should have been won 4 years ago but was no less welcome for being tardy. So, advances yes, but at what cost. The extraordinary demands of his pre-world cup preparations have disrupted many squads this year, but none more so than Tigers. At least next term Dean and the coaches can prepare for the first part of the season knowing what they’ll be working with week to week.

If I may, in BBC terms, “editorialise” for a moment, I make no apologies for my objections to the current England set-up. I believe they fundamentally undermine the structure of the club game which provides the quality players on which Mr. Woodward has built his success. I am not convinced yet that we are seeing an England team capable of winning the big prize, though I accept that Woody’s game plans have at long last cast off some of their more ludicrous naiveté and consequently this England is now much nearer to being genuine challengers. However, I believe that the outcome of the excessive England sessions has been confused and, crucially, tired and injured players.

Which brings me, neatly enough, to my second factor: injuries. Rugby is a physical game. One might describe it as tough or hard. However you chose to describe it there is no doubt that it is a game in which injury (often serious) is a constant threat. Recent seasons have seen us escape relatively unscathed on this front. This year has seen the fates catch up with us in this respect, resulting in a list of injuries which would have crippled any team. Perhaps a rehearsal of those who a cursory recollection show as missing more than the odd game may serve: Rowntree (twice), Freshwater, West, Kay, Moody, (twice & effectively for the season), Corry, Johnson W, Back, Ellis, Hamilton, Healey (twice & effectively for the season), Kafer, Smith, Tuilagi, Lloyd, Murphy, Stimpson, Raynor. As has been said, very nearly a first XV – and a few subs! And I’m sure I’ve forgotten some – no offence guys! I’m sure you see my point. There have been numerous reasons – some merely bad luck, for others an accumulation of old problems and for some I look back to the England issue. Whatever the reasons, the season started with an injury crisis and has limped from one crisis to the next.

I do not offer the above as excuses, merely as factors to consider when assessing a difficult season.

We have all observed a range of problems this year some seemingly permanent others passing - quite literally on occasion! The half-back pairings have often looked confused. Ruck ball has often been slow and scrappy. Basic skill levels have been patchy at best. I cannot remember how many combinations (injury induced) we have seen in the backs. The lineout has failed on occasion. Decision making has been poor. Even the usually water-tight defence has looked unsure. And don’t get me started on running lines! None of these are helped however by the two factors mentioned above as both undermine significantly the ability to resolve such problems by the only means possible – hard work on the training paddock. One can only hope that a stable summer will allow time to work on these problems without distractions, and will allow injuries to heal.

So to the personnel:
I’ll start, as per tradition, in the tight.

Darren Garforth:
Sad that Darren’s final year should be one of relative under-achievement – not the climax to his career we would all have wished him. It did however end on something of a high at Northampton in high summer. However, Darren has, I think, been one of the shining lights of the season. He’s been indestructible – as ever – has scrummaged well – as ever – his work in the loose has been fine – as ever. I have always admired the way he has managed the conversion from old fashioned prop to one of the dynamic modern front rowers we see today. Rather like Jason Leonard he has proved himself over many years as the game has evolved whilst retaining the essential character of his game. Highlights of the season – his charge for the line only for him to realise that he wasn’t going to get there before offering a sublime off-load against Brizzle in January and his start against Newcastle in the autumn: “I thought the game needed a bit of an edge” said Dean “and Darren was the man to give it.” Bless you Skins. You’ll be missed in so many ways. I for one will not forget his reaction at the end of the play-off final. Hey I’m sure that we need a specialist scrummaging coach though! I feel churlish to offer a marking, but needs must – 9 out of 10.

Franck Tournaire:
I’m sure I’m not alone in expressing serious regret at the premature departure of Franck. He had, in my opinion, settled well. His reaction to Boothy’s try during the HEC quarter-final made it very clear to me that he felt he belonged. So I was surprised and saddened to hear of his departure. I hope that whatever his family problems were are resolved by his return to France and that he enjoys the rest of his career. Franck’s game has impressed me this year. He seemed to bring an edge to the scrum and his ability to play either side was invaluable. His work in the loose was excellent - his mobility for a big bloke and the deftness of his hands were something of a revelation. I think he would have been a dominant figure at the club next year had he stayed. On the downside, it has to be admitted that sometimes his discipline let him down – away to Neath and to ‘Quins in the cup are two examples which spring to mind. That said I felt he was no worse than many and better than we were given to expect. So, not a bad first year and unfortunate to have ended as it did. 8/10

Perry Freshwater:
Well let’s get the departing props out of the way first! What can I say about Perry? Apart from the fact that his very own stalker (aka Ms A Walker) is distraught at his loss! Perry is one of the most underrated players I’ve seen and this year was one of his best. Always mobile (I thought he, with Franck, was the most mobile prop pairing I’ve seen in years) his scrummaging and defensive work have been terrific this term. So well did he play in the first half of the season that there were serious doubts about Wig’s ability to reclaim his place on his return. I’m not sure why Perpignan feel the need to bring in so many props having seen the muddle that was their three quarters in Dublin, but I’m certain that Catalonia will provide an ideal environment for this likeable kiwi to thrive. An excellent all round season. 8/10

Derek Jelley:
Another prop off on his travels. I feel for Derek – a good club man who four years ago was the bedrock of our pack. Unfortunately things have perhaps moved past him but I never saw him have a bad game for Tigers. His return from being on loan to Wakefield mid-season saw him fronting up at ‘the coalface’ yet again and he didn’t let us down. I wish him well in South Yorkshire and look forward to his return. On limited opportunities it’s hard to mark but: 5/10

Ricky Nebbett:
I’m not sure that Ricky will be entirely happy with this season. He was understandably passed over for Franck Tournaire but will have felt that, after the previous year’s progress, his career has stalled slightly. I have to confess that I retain some concerns about his power or rather a lack of it but he is still young. He did OK when he got his few chances – particularly in the difficult days towards the end of the season and must look to take his chances when they arise next term especially during the World Cup. Again limited opportunities make this a bit of a guess: 5/10

Graham Rowntree:
Bit of an odd season for Wig. At times magnificent especially for England and against Sarries at Franklins Gardens but his season has been cruelly undermined by injuries. That said he’s scrummaged as well as ever and his trademark bursts for the hard yards, picking and driving around the fringes have been well to the fore of what Tigers have done well this year. There seems to be an awful lot of nonsense being spouted about him being one of the ‘ageing’ members of the Leicester pack. I know he’s been around a while but he isn’t ready for his zimmer just yet. He’s a spring chicken when compared to Skins or to Big Jase. So let’s put this to bed now. He’s got at least three more seasons in him if he feels like it. Anyway on this season’s efforts: 8/10

Dorian West:
Another old stager and another stop-start season. As I think I said last year I’ve always been a fan of Nobby’s and I saw nothing this season to change my mind. Injuries notwithstanding, yet another player who has fallen foul of the vagaries of Mr. Woodward’s selection policy finding himself behind Mark ‘Scud Missile’ Regan of all people! However, Dorian has had a patchy season. His work away from the set-piece has been exemplary but his throwing has, at times, lacked its usual precision – Munster being the obvious case in point. It appears from the England/Maori game that this has been righted but it was certainly a blemish on this term’s efforts. That said, Nobby is an integral part of the forward pack and I’m glad that he appears to be giving us one more year – you’re never too old if you can perform. 8/10

George Chuter:
I’m the first to admit that I find George something of an enigma. At times he can be devastating at others he seems to retreat into his shell. My main query over George’s performances is fairly simple – why, oh why does he, without exception, throw his first lineout ball to the tail? It’s high risk and now, predictable. That said his throwing has been generally consistent and he has a surprising turn of pace, accelerating through and away from rucks and mauls, past the gain line to create good second phase. I feel he’s starting to push himself to the fore and can only hope for more of the same next term. 7/10

Mr. Martin Johnson Sir:
Now I’m not going to dignify the imbeciles of the rugby world who want to suggest that Johnno is past his best with a comment. He was for my money one of the three stars of last season. I felt he was dominant, ubiquitous (sic), aggressive and indestructible. His work at the line-outs was out of the top draw. He carried often and hard. He hit more rucks than anyone else in the team as far as I can tell and he tackled his heart out all year whether he wore green, red & white or just white. He led from the front as always and remains in my mind the bravest player I’ve seen in over a decade. What’s more this year he seemed to avoid his annual run in with the beak! The only time he ended up before the disciplinary bods being to have a yellow card overturned. Despite the carping and bitching by our compadres at Glaws & Quins, I would suggest that any team would be reasonably pleased to have him! And he gets 9/10

Ben Kay:
Now I think Whopper has had a mixed season. Excellent for England but his, injury affected, club form has been somewhat…distracted. I’m not sure that he’s fallen into what our friends down the road might call ‘Steve Thompson syndrome’ but one can’t help suspect, especially in the light of last year’s exceptional form, that his eye might have been on the World Cup rather than the job in hand. A shame, because at his best he is the best line-out jumper in England and possibly the world. More than that he is very much the epitome of a modern lock forward: a mobile ball carrier, with good awareness, pace, subtle hands and a hunger for work. I only hope that he brings his England form back to us after the World Cup. 6/10

Louis Deacon:
Good progress made by Louis again this year. So much so that he’s been pushing the subdued Ben Kay for a first team place. Louis reminds me somewhat of a young Johnno; brave, physical, athletic and hard-working. There are areas of his game that still need work but he’s definitely coming along nicely and the opportunity afforded to him by the World Cup should see him take another step or two up the hill. I’ve felt that he looked hungry on every outing this year and was central to the best pack performance of the season – against Gloucester in November. He also showed a willingness to get stuck in with a stonking punch during the Baa Baa’s game. See coming along nicely! 7/10

And that’s about it for the tight five. I’ll be back with loosies and halves in a few days!