Bring on the Tiggers

By GTD
January 4 2006

So the first home game of 2006 sees Leicester knocking on the Madejski's door. Will we see a re-run of the 35-3 result up at Welford Road?

This preview starts with 4 stats and prepare yourself coz they’re all biggys!!

1. Leicester’s only loss in their last six encounters in all competitions since November was 15-3 at Bristol on 27 December
2. Leicester have won the last five matches they have played against London Irish since the Exiles last victory: 20-19 at Welford Road on 3 May 2003
3. The Tigers have won four of the five trips they have made to Madejski Stadium to play London Irish
4. Away from home in the Premiership the Tigers have won just once in the past 12 months: 28-20 at Leeds on 25 September.

So we’ve not beaten them since 2003, they’ve won 4 out of 5 at the Madstad and they’re in form – UNLESS THEY’RE PLAYING AWAY !!!!!!!!

They’re only 4 points ahead of us – a situation that many, if not all of us would’ve taken had it been suggested at the beginning of the season. We are, however with a loss this weekend in danger of becoming lost in the ‘mid table melee’ with 5 points currently separating ourselves, Wuss, Sarries, Bristol and Newcastle. A 4 point win will put us on the same points as Leicester however and potentially above Gloucester if Sarries have one of their better days!

They score the majority of their points through Goode or Varndell although many of us know the evergreen Healey as the constant thorn in our sides. Can we afford to forget the 35-3 drubbing they gave us up at Welford Road? Should it’ve been so drastic a scoreline?

One thing is for sure, come 5 o’clock on Sunday, with Bristol and Newcastle playing Sale and Wasps respectively a win will do us nicely.

Can it be done? Let’s just see shall we…….