(Gloucester vs) LEICESTER TIGERS PLAYERS RATINGS

Yesterday at 04:44 AM

15 – Mike Brown off at 77. 7/10
Mike Brown will surely be offered many more Leicester extension contracts to come. His Hawkeye watching of how the ball is being played led to him scoring an excellent try in the 20th minute from giving support to Handre Pollard. He also made an impact when he made an intercept on a pass from Gloucester and ran over 70 metres towards the sticks; a simple pass to Radwan gave him a try on his debut. Being lighter on his toes would have given more impact on tackles, but great leg work. Hot headed in battle during the second half. Off at the 77th minute.
14 – Adam Radwan – Debut 7/10
A debut to remember for the English winger. Coming from Newcastle, his transfer has paid off for the tigers. His defence on the wing was immaculate; an area which Gloucester have been doing well in the last couple of games, he showed no fear with against the experienced players. His first touch of the ball led to a try in the 38th minute, giving support to a line break from Mike Brown. An excellent start to what will no doubt will be a season that Steve Borthwick will notice.
13 – Izaia Perese 6/10
Perese's running, tackling, catching, scoring, the whole package, was on display for todays fixture. He scored in the 9th minute after dodging the Gloucester defence to place the ball past the goal line. His defensive efforts were excellent on the wing where he grabbed hold of Christian Wade and had to walk off the field of play with him in his arms. He was then sent off in the 57th minute for a high tackle on Wade, earning his fourth yellow this season.
12 – Solomone Kata 5/10
Not having the most disciplined of days on the pitch. Over running in the defensive line which led to Seb Atkinson making a line break. His tackling was excellent and strong, knocking players off their feet, but standards slipped again when he caused an obstruction, giving Gloucester a three point penalty before half time. Off at the 69th minute.
11 – Ollie Hassell – Collins 5/10
Ollie Hassell – Collins must've had something against Santi Carreras today. Putting a knee (though accidental, still painful) into his back, and grabbing him whilst still in the air. Other than that, his running into tackles and playing the ball back for the ruck was text book and effortless, especially along the wing.

10 – Handre Pollard 8/10
The two time World Cup winner for South Africa was surgical with his boot most of the time. He was excellent in dictating hope the ball moved in the opponents 10 metre area. Hi calm and composure must come form experience facing some of then biggest names in rugby, but the roar of the shed must've got to the South African when a kick for distance did exactly the opposite. His conversion rate was spot on though, scoring all for the tigers. Struggled against the likes of Max Llewellyn and Josh Hathaway towards the end of the game, but a solid performance until the end.
9 – Ben Youngs 6/10
His kicking game was his strongest effort, and getting his shoulder in some of the tackles was a solid effort form the most capped England player, but this was not his best game. Missing some flair, and some passion from the scrum-half would've made more of an impact, but was a valiant effort from Ben Youngs. Off at the 70th minute.
1 – Nicky Smith 5/10
An underwhelming performance from the Tigers hooker. Making some impressive moves in the scrum, and the ruck, built other than that he wasn't a dominant force; not to take away from what he did do, which was the job he was assigned to do – just a bit more effort from Smith might have done the tigers some good. Off at the 69th minute.
2 – Julian Montoya (C) 6/10
The Tiger captain had a game which picked up as time went on. He started to struggle in the scrums with his knees hitting the ground, though missed by referee Ben O'keefe. But his knowledge of the game and manipulation was something the likes of Eben Etzebeth would be proud of. Realising a Gloucester error he forced a Tigers penalty which led to the teams scoring. His pressure against Gloucester saved the tigers from a sure try on a tap penalty, which caused a Gloucester knock on. Off at the 72nd minute.
3 – Dan Cole 6/10
A man who's now part of the Tigers furniture, had a tough shift in the scrums. Not being the strongest in one, but then being a unit in another. He seemed to have injured a collar bone, but then was unfazed when it came to tackling the Cherry and Whites. Making sure the young lads understood why he's had a career as long and successful as his. Off at the 64th minute.
4 – Cameron Henderson 8/10
The most dominant member of the Tigers squad today when it came to the tackles. Seemingly everywhere, at all times. The lock put in a performance that Martin Johnson would be proud of. His shots on Gloucester were biblical, and his effort was a contrast threat to the home attacking side. A performance that Henderson should walk away being proud of.
5 – Harry Wells 7/10
The legs of a back on the body of a forward. He made solid efforts to be a defensive support for his team mates, helping Radwan make a dominant tackle to get Gloucester off the field. He did his job brilliantly and effectively.
6 – Hanford Liebenberg 5/10
The ruck attack from Liebenberg was solid, but other than that not much was offered from the Leicester player. Fatigue got to the Tiger, and then errors in defence were made which allowed Gloucester to run through.
7 – Tommy Reffell 5/10
Similar to Liebenberg, a good effort in the scrum, which was a highlight for the tigers performance today. But other than that there wasn't a lot that could be said. Errors in the defence giving away penalties, and line-breaks were what gave the game to Gloucester.
8 – Olly Cracknell 5/1-
A player who had his head on at all times. Noticing dropped balls, and utilising it to gain the Tigers the much needed yards. His highlight was getting of the tigers defensive line to attack Gloucester and stop them gaining any ground towards the goal line. A solid head on a solid player today. Off at the 57th minute.

REPLACEMENTS
16 – Charlie Clare – on at 72 4-10
Coming on for the team Captain must've been a very challenging moment for the hooker. He's had a travelling career, starting at the Tigers academy, there is no doubt that better performances will follow.
17 – James Cronin – on at 69 4-10
A lot of momentum had been lost in the team by this point, and though James Cronin tried to bring it back towards Leicester, it wasn't enough to change the result of the game.
18 – Will Hurd – on at 64. 4/10
Replacing Dan Cole is always going to be a nervous moment, and it was a valiant effort from the prop to do so. Keeping strong in scrums, and shooting in the ruck to defend the ball. Maybe some more time would've helped make a stronger impact?
19 – Côme Joussain – on at 69. 4/10
Strong in the ruck which would've been a wake up call to the Gloucester pack. Forcing the home side out to the wing which was where they were most dominant.
20 – Emeka Ilione – On at 57. 4/10
Solid in the rucks also, and tackles agains the Gloucester forwards, but some flow in defence would've really helped in defence.
21 – Tom Whiteley – on at 70. 4/10
Coming on for Ben Youngs at scrum half, he was able to keep the ball moving amongst the Tigers group, but it was a tough day from the scrum half, being off the receiving end of some tough tackles.
22 – Jospeh Woodward – on at 69. 4/10
The effort from the young players was valiant, but once again not enough to have made a solid impact on the outcome of the game, or for the momentum to shift towards the Tigers favour.
23 – Ben Volavola – on at 77. 3/10
This young player was not given enough time to make an impact on the game, which hopefully will change in the upcoming Premiership Cup fixtures.

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