Player ratings v Leicester

The Falcons fell just short in a massive effort against Leicester today, losing 12-16 at Kingston Park. My player ratings are below.

15 Alex Tait. A really good game at the back I thought, cleared up everything he needed to and was a threat in attack. Perhaps nothing magical but, as usual, reliable and more than competent in everything he does. 7

14 Sinoti Sinoti. After a very quiet game at Saracens, Sinoti was back to his sparkling best today, and was a constant worry to Leicester in the first hour. I’d like him to run straight a bit more often, rather than trying to go around players when he has the chance to get up some gas, but you can’t argue with the metres he makes, the number of defenders he beats, and another top try. 8

13 Adam Powell. Some good carries and more involved perhaps than in some games recently, but nothing particularly special that I remember. A quiet game from the centres on a day that saw the Falcons look to go wide whenever possible. 6

12 Juan Pablo Socino. Never really got into the game again, perhaps because of our desire to use the wingers to punch through the Tigers’ defence rather than Socino’s pace and trickery. 6

11 Alesana Tuilagi. Missed one big tackle but like his compatriot on the wing, Big Alex was a big worry to his former side and got us onto the front foot plenty of times. A good game. 7

10 Tom Catterick. One of those who seemed to suffer most in the final quarter, missing touch with a penalty and fluffing a couple of passes. It’s a shame that that blotted his performance because for the first hour, Catterick ran the game very well from fly-half, mixing up the backs play but never running up blind alleys as some in his position do. Might have done this more had the scrum not struggled so much. 7

9 Ruki Tipuna. Always ready to provide quick ball from the ruck, and could have done so from the scrum had our pack not been under pressure there. We didn’t really miss the in-form Mike Blair, which is a good compliment to little Ruki. Nippy, and always looking for quick ball and a gap. I like this guy. 7

1 Rob Vickers. Gave away at least one penalty in the scrum I think, but put in a good shift in defence and made tackles when needed. Like Alex Tait, rarely spectacular but always solid. 7

2 Scott Lawson. Continued where he left off against Saracens with a great performance in the loose. A great option to have for carrying the ball, with his pace, power and low centre of gravity. Deserved a try. 8

3 Alex Rogers. It was a funny performance by our first-time Premiership starter. Rogers was under pressure in the scrum as we expected, but I don’t think he was mullered by Marcos Ayerza as some had predicted. Missed one tackle due to quite poor technique, but was a good link player among the backs in the second half. 7

4 Dom Barrow. A quiet game from the big man, struggled to make much of an impression against an aggressive and wise Leicester pack. 6

5 Kane Thompson. Looked like a rabbit caught in headlights on two runs in the first half and so didn’t make much progress. Another who had a quiet game before being replaced at half-time. 6

6 Richard Mayhew. A rare start for the Kiwi and I think he struggled to make a big impact apart from a couple of short carries. Gave away a dangerous penalty on our five-metre line late in the game and at least one teammate was not happy! 6

7 Will Welch. The pick of the forwards for me, driving forwards and flying into defensive work. An exemplary performance from the captain, who is coming into a decent spell of form. 8

8 Mark Wilson. I think Cumbrian Mark had a big game for the first hour but then struggled to stay in the game when the Falcons went off the ball. Wilson has been excellent at the back of the scrum in the past couple of games when our pack has been under pressure, he is able to clear up quickly and present good ball, and you wonder if this is the reason he has been at number eight in these matches. The usual drive forward for lots of the game. 7

Replacements:

Josh Furno (for Thompson, half-time). Struggled to get involved a lot I think, a lot of good support play but not able to become the driving force that was no doubt in the coaches when they brought the Italian on for the second half. 6

Gonzalo Tiesi (for Socino, 69 minutes). Gonzo helped out in the big defensive effort required when we started to come under the cosh in the last ten minutes, and had little opportunity to attack. 6