However, while I can understand Tigers supporters being unhappy at being in eighth place in the Premiership, because it doesn’t look great, it’s about six times better than the disappointment suffered by Bath fans in recent years. What Leicester fans are going through is nothing by comparison!
Results in the league have not been great for Leicester either before or after Steve Borthwick’s shortlived stint as coach leading to them winning the Premiership title in 2022. That achievement raised expectations massively. However, what it did not take into account is the size of the upheaval that followed, with the entire coaching team of Borthwick, Richard Wigglesworth, Kevin Sinfield and Aled Walters transplanted to Twickenham after signing England contracts.
Add to that the departures of captain Ellis Genge to Bristol, fly-half linchpin George Ford to Sale, Premiership final drop-goal super-sub Freddie Burns heading for Japan, and Jack van Poortvliet suffering a long-term injury, and there was always a chance that the progress might grind to a halt.
Set against that, with international players like Springbok world champion fly-half Handre Pollard and No.8 Jasper Wiese, Argentina captain and hooker Julian Montoya, England’s George Martin, Ollie Chessum, Freddie Steward, and Van Poortvliet, as well as Wales flanker Tommy Reffell, there’s enough quality for Leicester fans to be thinking that they should be up there contending for the title again.
The only problem with that simple explanation is that it excludes the time it takes for players and coaches moving into a new environment to bed in. Added to that, the new man in charge, Australian coach Dan McKellar arrived from a completely different rugby union culture, and inherited a squad of the players he did not know a great deal about.
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Denne historien er fra May 12, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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.
