Judging by the social media vitriol and anger from Leicester fans after their loss to Bristol at Welford Road two weeks ago, their answer is thumbs down.
Even the more balanced comments were critical of the displays under new Australian coach Dan McKellar – whose wage is outside the current £5m Premiership salary cap -- and of a team perceived by Tigers supporters as lacking top tier fitness, tactical nous, and mental fortitude.
Given that Leicester’s marquee flyhalf Handre Pollard has demonstrated all those qualities in spades for South Africa on the way to becoming a double World Cup winner, it is understandable that there is frustration that, so far, he has been unable to make them count in the same way in his two-season stint in the East Midlands.
Last season, when Leicester finished third in the table, before losing their semi-final play-off to Sale, there were at least some reasons to be cheerful with Pollard, and Leicester’s two other main overseas signings, Springbok No.8 Jasper Wiese and Argentina’s hooker and captain, Julian Montoya, leading the charge.
This campaign, however, with Leicester out of it in eighth place after going down to Sale 31-22 on Friday night, the mood has hardened, with value-for-money questions over the club’s marquee players surfacing.
With Wiese moving on, Leicester fans will focus on Pollard and Montoya – and they will need all the help they can get from the club’s England cohort, including Freddie Steward and George Martin, given that the supporters at Welford Road are not of the long-suffering variety.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 12, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 12, 2024 من The Rugby Paper.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.