Leicester Tigers v Exeter Chiefs Digital Matchday Programme (05-12-2020) by Leicester Tigers

LEICESTER TIGERs

VERSUS

EXETER CHIEFS

G A L L AG H E R P R E M I E R S H I P SAT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 5, 2 0 2 0 K I C K- O F F 3.0 0 P M

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

THE TEAMS

LEICESTER TIGERS

EXETER CHIEFS

S TA R T I N G X V -

FREDDIE STEWARD

T P C D

FACUNDO CORDERO

GUY PORTER

T P C D

TOM O’FLAHERTY

SAF

JACO TAUTE

T P C D

IAN WHITTEN

IRL

SCO

MATT SCOTT

T P C D

OLLIE DEVOTO

ENG

HARRY SIMMONS

T P C D

OLLY WOODBURN

ZACK HENRY

T P C D

JOE SIMMONDS

ARG -

ENG

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH

T P C D

JACK MAUNDER

ENG

SAM

NEPHI LEATIGAGA

T P C D

BEN MOON

ENG

ENG / LIONS

TOM YOUNGS (C)

T P C D

JACK YEANDLE (C)

ENG / LIONS

DAN COLE

T P C D

HARRY WILLIAMS

ENG

HARRY WELLS

T P C D

DON ARMAND

ENG

CALUM GREEN

T P C D

SAM SKINNER

SCO

HANRO LIEBENBERG

T P C D

DAVE EWERS

CYLE BRINK

T P C D

JANNES KIRSTEN

JASPER WIESE

T P C D

SAM SIMMONDS

ENG

CHARLIE CLARE

T P C D

RYAN BOWER

JOE HEYES

R E P L AC E M E N T S 16

T P C D

JACK INNARD

T P C D

ALEC HEPBURN

T P C D

MARCUS STREET

ENG

BLAKE ENEVER

T P C D

WILL WITTY

TOMMY REFFELL

T P C D

RICHARD CAPSTICK

JORDAN TAUFUA

T P C D

SAM HIDALGO-CLYNE

BEN WHITE

T P C D

JACK WALSH

JOAQUÍN DÍAZ BONILLA

T P C D

TOM HENDRICKSON

AUS

ARG

M AT C H O F F I C I A L S Referee: Mr Craig Maxwell-Keys Assistants: Mr Hamish Smales & Mr Jack Makepeace Television Match Official: Mr Keith Lewis Citing Officer: Chris Sharp A N Y L AT E C H A N G E S W I L L B E C O N F I R M E D O N T H E W E B S I T E

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS CONTENTS 3 TEAMS 7 WELCOME FROM THE CHAIRMAN 9 STEVE BORTHWICK’S NOTES 12 CLUB NEWS 16 INTRODUCING ADDITIONS TO TIGERS 23 TODAY’S OPPOSITION 28 MATCH PREVIEWS 32 THE FIXTURE LIST 34 PLAYER STATS 38 TIGERS MATCHFILE 43 FROM THE BOARDROOM 46 TIGERS PLAYING SQUAD 55 TIGERS FOUNDATION 58 COMMUNITY TEAM 60 JUNIOR TIGERS CLUB 67 ON THIS DAY 69 WELFORD ROAD 2,500 71 THE STAT PACK 73 TIGERS FANZONE

LEICESTER FOOTBALL CLUB PLC Telephone 0116 319 8888 www.leicestertigers.com Facebook.com/LeicesterTigers Twitter @LeicesterTigers instagram.com/leicestertigers Executive Chairman: Peter Tom CBE Chief Executive: Andrea Pinchen Head Coach: Steve Borthwick Directors: Petar Cvetkovic,

Duncan Green, Ben Kay MBE, Fintan Kennedy, Tom Scott Company Secretary: Mary Ford Life Members: Garry Adey, John Allen, Bob Beason, Paul Dodge, Matt Hampson, Dusty Hare MBE, Roy Jackson, Martin Johnson CBE, Ian Smith, Peter Wheeler Club Statistician/Historian: Stuart Farmer Child Protection Officer: Matt Johnson

ROLL OF HONOUR European Champions: 2000-01, 2001-02 English Champions: 1987-88, 1994-95, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2012-13 Zurich Championship Winners: 2000-01 Cup Winners: 1978-79, 1979-80, 1980-81, 1992-93, 1996-97

Anglo-Welsh Cup Winners: 2006-07, 2011-12, 2016-17 Premiership ‘A’ League Winners: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2010-11 Premiership U21 League Winners: 2002-03 Premiership Academy U18 League Winners: 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 (joint)

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

Peter Tom CBE

CHAIRMAN Welcome to another Leicester Tigers matchday and welcome to the officials and players of our visitors from Exeter Chiefs. I would like to begin by congratulating Tony, Rob and everyone at Chiefs on their historic Premiership and European Cup double at the end of last season, achieved in the unique circumstances of a restarted season. Since our win over Gloucester here in Round 1, it has been announced that Leicester and Leicestershire will be in Tier 3 in the new government rulings on Covid-19 and, while we are incredibly disappointed that our supporters remain excluded from the stadium, I hope you all remain safe and secure. The club has plans in place for the re-introduction of supporters, at whatever level is permitted by the authorities, and we are all eager for the day when we can come together again at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. The team had a disappointing afternoon last Sunday as the first visitors to the new Brentford Community Stadium, though the way they attacked that 20-minute spell after half-time looked as if it could switch momentum decisively in our way before London Irish pulled away again at the finish. Today is our last game in this opening phase of the Gallagher Premiership season before we go into Europe with a home game next Friday evening against Brive and then on the trip to Bayonne a week later. This is also our final game before the end of the Autumn Nations Cup and we wish all of our players well who are still involved in that this weekend, especially George, Ellis and Ben who are part of the England squad in the final against France tomorrow, and we look forward to welcoming back Nemani and Kini from a frustrating tournament with Fiji and, of course Shalva from duty with Georgia. Their absence from the club obviously stretches the squad but, while Steve looks forward to their

safe return, we have been able to welcome back Jordan Taufua, Matt Scott and Nephi Leatigaga since the opening round while also knowing there are still a couple of players to join the squad shortly. We have recently posted notice of arrangement for the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s AGM with information on how shareholders areÂ able to vote on the resolutions and submit questions to the Board. Full details have been circulated to shareholders and can be seen on the club website.

Covid restrictions remain in place

It has been a unique and challenging year, and your support is as vital as it has ever been in helping us through it. Thank you for your continued support of the club and of Steve and the team from wherever you follow the action this afternoon.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

Head coach Steve Borthwick

FROM THE TOUCHLINE We face an exciting challenge this afternoon against the European and Premiership champions. It would have been even better if our supporters were able to be involved, but that will have to wait for another day. What Exeter Chiefs have done deserves enormous respect. They have been building for 10 years and more, getting better and stronger each year, and gaining from their experiences to get to where they are now. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done a great job. We are at the start of our journey towards where we want to go and we will continue to learn, grow and develop. From when I started here in the summer, I have had a focus on getting the basics right as we develop the way we want to play. You need the platform of getting the fundamentals right consistently, and that is what we will continue working on as we build our game. To do that, everyone has to be diligent in their work on a daily basis and take the opportunities to improve with every training session and every game we play.

COMPETITION FOR PLACES ACROSS THE TEAM IS ALSO IMPORTANT AND WE STILL HAVE A COUPLE OF PLAYERS TO COME IN, WHILE ALSO WELCOMING BACK OUR INTERNATIONAL PLAYERS SHORTLY WHICH WILL ADD TO OUR STRENGTH ACROSS THE SQUAD Helping players improve is what I really enjoy in coaching and we are all committed to that improvement day to day. Competition for places across the team is also important and we still have a couple of players to come in, while also welcoming back our international players shortly which will add to our strength across the squad. Wherever we play and whoever we play against, I want us to be able to produce our best performance and find a way to win the game. That is the challenge I lay down to the players every day and that is what we are working on with them to achieve.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

CLUB NEWS

RAINBOW LACES Premiership Rugby, title partner Gallagher and broadcaster BT Sport are showing support this weekend for the Rainbow Laces campaign run by Stonewall to promote LGBT inclusion in sport. To celebrate their ongoing support, a ‘rainbow’ Gallagher Premiership Rugby logo is being used at all matches in Round 3, match officials will carry the logo on their kit, and players will be invited to wear Rainbow Laces. Premiership Rugby and Gallagher have also been running a social media photographic competition with the winner receiving signed shirts and boots. The weekend forms part of Premiership Rugby’s commitment to inclusion. Wayne Morris, community and CSR director at Premiership Rugby, said: “We strive every day to be the most welcoming league in the world. Like Stonewall, we want rugby to be everyone’s game and we are prepared to play our part to make this happen. “One of Premiership Rugby’s key objectives along with our clubs is to celebrate diversity, and we strive to make our competitions and activities available and enjoyable to as many people as possible.” This year Premiership Rugby is calling on the rugby community to get involved by buying their own laces and posting their pictures on social media under #RainbowLaces. “Rugby is already an inclusive sport but over 40 per cent of LGBT people don’t feel welcome at public sporting events. We’d like everyone to go out of their way to help us put an end to discrimination and ensure LGBT people feel welcome whether watching or taking part in sport. We want to take action together,” Morris added. “The community we find in rugby is so important and it’s vital that LGBT people fully benefit from it.” Rainbow Laces are available via the Stonewell link. https://stonewalluk.myshopify.com/products/rainbow-laces-all

AUTUMN NATIONS Six Tigers players are with their national squads for the last round of fixtures in the Autumn Nations Cup this weekend, including Ellis Genge, George Ford and Ben Youngs with England. After three wins out of three games in the group stages, England face France in the tournament final at Twickenham on Sunday (2.00). In contrast, Fiji play their first fixture this afternoon in the seventh-place play-off with Shalva Mamukashvili’s Georgia. Nemani Nadolo and Kini Murimurivalu are named in the backline for the Fijians, who were unable to fulfil their group fixtures due to a Covid outbreak in the camp. Nations Cup games are covered live by Amazon Prime.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

T IGE R S TA L K

With some additions to the Tigers squad for the new season, it’s time for us to make the formal introductions. Please give a big #TigersFamily welcome to…

LUAN DE BRUIN

POSITION: PROP | AGE: 27

“This is a massive opportunity and a massive learning curve as well. The opportunity came to play in Leicester and I think it’s a fantastic, exciting opportunity to be part of a big club looking to get back to the top.” Signed from the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, Luan has experience on either side of the front row and of more than 50 appearances in Super Rugby since his debut in 2014. Luan was born in Pretoria and played with Blue Bulls at youth levels as well as for South Africa Under-18s. He joined Free State in 2012, played for UFS Shimlas in the Varsity Cup and was part of the national squad at the Under-20s World Championship. He was part of a recent internal fixture for the Springboks before ending his commitments with the Cheetahs and arriving in the East Midlands. In the know: Luan has more than just scrums to talk about with Dan Cole as he is also a big follower of American Football. He supports Indianapolis Colts, “the underdogs with lots of potential”.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

T IGE R S TA L K

JOAQUÍN DÍAZ BONILLA

POSITION: FLY-HALF | AGE: 31

“I think the team is really energised about this season. We know about the past, the last few seasons was not good, but everyone is focused ahead and wants to have a good season.” An exciting, athletic fly-half, with a successful goal-kicking record, ‘Tito’ Bonilla arrived in Leicester ahead of kick-off to the 2020-21 season and made his debut off the bench in the win over Gloucester, converting the bonus-point try from Charlie Clare and adding a penalty with the last kick of the match. He made more than 130 appearances for the Hindu club in Argentina - the original home of former Tigers favourite Horacio Agulla - before joining the Jaguares in 2017 for their second season in Super Rugby. He played a major part in the squad that reached the 2019 Super Rugby Final alongside future Tigers team-mates Tomás Lavanini and Matias Moroni. After representing Argentina Under-20s, he made his Test debut for Los Pumas in 2018 and has four caps. In the know: During the 2019 Rugby World Cup period, Tito played six games in the Top 14 for Racing 92 in France as cover for Scotland’s Finn Russell and Fiji’s Ben Volavola.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

T IGE R S TA L K

M AT I A S MORONI

POSITION: CENTRE, WING OR FULL-BACK | AGE: 29 “Leicester Tigers is such a historic club with the biggest crowd in England. It feels like being part of Boca Juniors!” The arrival of the versatile and experienced Matias adds another Argentina international to the squad alongside Facundo Gigena, Tomás Lavanini and Tito Bonilla. He joins Tigers after five seasons with the Jaguares, including their run to the 2019 Super Rugby Final alongside Lavanini and Bonilla. Matias played his junior rugby at Los Molinos and Club Universitario de Buenos Aires (CUBA) and went to the Junior Rugby World Cup in 2011 before playing for Argentina on the World Rugby Sevens circuit and at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. He made his Test debut against Scotland in 2014 and has played in two Rugby World Cups, scoring a try against England in 2019. He is now close to a half-century of caps. In the know: Matias played in the World Under-20s Championship in 2011, the same year as George Ford, Jaco Taute and Blake Enever, as well as Eben Etzebeth, Stuart Hogg, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell and Michael Hooper.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

T IGE R S TA L K

JASPER WIESE

POSITION: BACK ROW | AGE: 25 “Leicester is a world-class club. I’m excited by what I was told would be expected of me.” Born in the Northern Cape of South Africa, Jasper worked his way through the ranks at Free State Cheetahs and Griffons, as well as in Varsity rugby with CUT Ixias, before making his Pro14 debut for the Cheetahs against Connacht in Ireland in 2017. A hard-working, physical back-rower who enjoys carrying and contact, and came through junior rugby with a strong tryscoring record, he arrived at Tigers in the countdown to the start of the 2020-21 campaign at the conclusion of his contractual commitments in South Africa. He made his debut in the opening-day win over Gloucester, which also saw him top the Fans’ Favourite poll on the club app. In the know: Younger brother Cobus, who plays at flanker or lock, joined Sale Sharks from the Stormers for the start of the 2020-21 season.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

T IGE R S TA L K RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH

POSITION: SCRUM-HALF | AGE: 37

“Leicester Tigers is the biggest club in the country and I am relishing the challenge. It is a club that want to get back to the top and that isn’t easy… but I am not interested in easy. Tigers has a lot of good people and I am excited to be involved.” As Premiership Rugby’s record appearanceholder and a six-time league champion, Richard arrived at Tigers during the close-season from Saracens. After coming the through the junior ranks with Sale Sharks, the Blackpool-born scrumhalf made his professional debut in 2002 and represented England at Under-18, 19 and 21 age group levels before becoming an integral part of the Premiership Rugby landscape with Sharks and then Sarries. By the end of 2019-20, he stood on 288 games in the top flight, winning six league titles and three European Cups, plus 33 caps for England including selection for back-to-back Rugby World Cup campaigns in 2011 and 2015. His Test debut was against Italy in Rome during 2008. A big Manchester United fan, he is the only one of the 2020-21 additions who has played against Tigers or at Welford Road previously. He ran out in the club’s colours for the first time in the opening-day win over Gloucester and scored a try in the bonus-point win. In the know: Richard went to the 2019 Rugby World Cup as defence and kicking coach with Canada, whose backroom team also included Boris Stankovich, and has also gained coaching experience with Harrow School, Oxford University and Ealing Trailfinders.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

T O D AY ’ S O P P O S I T I O N

EXETER CHIEFS  F O R M AT I O N Y E A R 18 7 1  – 2019-20 RECORD –

1st

15 WINS 74 POINTS

TRIES (1st)

PENALTIES (10th)

630

POINTS SCORED (1st)

TRY BONUS POINTS (2nd)

– 2020-21 RECORD – PENS CONCEDED

TIGHT IN DEFENCE

IN ATTACK

TOP SCORER

EXETER CHIEFS (1st)

POINTS CONCEDED AGAINST HARLEQUINS IN R1

TRIES FOR SAM SIMMONDS

LEICESTER TIGERS (2nd)

POINTS CONCEDED AGAINST BATH IN R2

AGAINST HARLEQUINS

POINTS FOR SAM SIMMONDS

POINTS FOR JOE SIMMONDS

2 009 A P P OIN T ME N T OF ROB B A X T E R A S HE A D C O A CH

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

SQUAD 2020-21 – BACKS – Pos / Honours / Age / Last Club Corey BALDWIN C

Joe SNOW 22

Scarlets

Los Ceibos

Facundo CORDERO W

Wales & Lions England

Cardiff Blues

Academy

Cornish Pirates

Waratahs

Ulster

Bath

Plymouth Albion

Ian WHITTEN 27

Bath

Tom HENDRICKSON C

Jack WALSH

Ollie DEVOTO C

Stu TOWNSEND

Alex CUTHBERT W

Ireland

Olly WOODBURN 26

Academy

Lyon

Newcastle

Glasgow Warriors

Academy

Plymouth Albion

Ospreys

London Irish

Sam HIDALGO-CLYNE SH

Scotland

Josh HODGE FB

ONE TO WATCH Joe SIMMONDS FH

Stuart HOGG FB

Scotland & Lions

Jack MAUNDER SH

England

Sam MAUNDER SH

Jack NOWELL W

England & Lions

Tom O’FLAHERTY W

James SHORT W

Harvey SKINNER FH

Academy

Plymouth Albion

Henry SLADE FH

England

Captain of a team that sealed a league and European double at the end of 2019-20, just three years after making his first-team breakthrough, Joe Simmonds is also a nerveless goal-kicker with the league’s best success rate during 2019-20. He is a former England Under-20s cap.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

– F OR WA RDS – Pos / Honours / Age / Last Club ONE TO WATCH

Don ARMAND BR

England

Stormers

Academy

London Scottish

Glasgow

London Welsh

Gloucester

Academy

Bulls

RGC 1404

Academy

Luke COWAN-DICKIE P

England

Dave EWERS BR

Academy

Dave DENNIS L

Dave EWERS BR

Tomas FRANCIS P

Wales

Jonny GRAY L

Scotland

Alec HEPBURN P

England

Jonny HILL L

England

Aaron HINKLEY BR

Jack INNARD H

Billy KEAST P

Stan SOUTH

Jannes KIRSTEN BR

England England

Scarlets

Scotland

Tonga

Jersey

Harlequins

Sharks

England

Jersey

Newcastle Falcons

Doncaster

Will WITTY 25

Academy

Sam SKINNER BR

Harlequins

Harry WILLIAMS

Sam SIMMONDS BR

Jacques VERMEULEN

Tom PRICE L

Maks VAN DYK

Ben MOON P

Elvis TAIONE

Sean LONSDALE L

Born and raised in Zimbabwe before joining Exeter’s academy system when his family arrived in the country, the physicality of Ewers has been at the heart of their story during a decade of service.

Jack YEANDLE 24

Taunton

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

THE BIG MATCH Tigers welcome Exeter Chiefs in Round 3 of the league season

Leicester Tigers opened the season with a bonus-point win over Gloucester at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, but lost at London Irish last week in the first-ever game at the Brentford Community Stadium. Tigers have not won successive home games since February. Visitors Exeter Chiefs have begun the defence of their Gallagher Premiership Rugby crown with maximum points after two rounds. The Chiefs have not been beaten in any competition since a trip to Wasps on October 4. Seven of the last eight Premiership Rugby meetings of the teams have been won by Chiefs, with the only Tigers win coming in September 2017. Overall, the clubs have met on 62 previous occasions, with Leicester winning 38 to 20 by Exeter and four games drawn. Today’s referee is Craig Maxwell-Keys, in charge for the 83rd time in Premiership Rugby.

FROM BOTH SIDES Geoff Parling joined Exeter in the summer of 2015 after 93 appearances for Tigers. After establishing himself as an international lock with England and the Lions during five seasons at Welford Road, he scored his only try of the 2014-15 season in a win over the Chiefs just weeks after announcing his move there. He started his career with Stockton and then Newcastle Falcons, and since retirement has moved into coaching, recently joining Australia’s national set-up.

LAST FIVE PREMIERSHIP MEETINGS 2019-20

2019-20

2018-19

2017-18

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

ELSEWHERE IN ROUND 3 Bristol Bears v Northampton Saints The weekend kicks off at Ashton Gate, where Bristol Bears have won their last five games in all competitions. Their only defeat there in 2020 was against Exeter in Round 16 last season. Visitors Northampton Saints have lost their last nine matches in all competitions. Their most recent victory - other than the cancelled Round 22 fixture last season - was against London Irish at the Stoop back on August 22. Bristol have won the last three league meetings since Saints recorded a 45-40 victory at Ashton Gate in September 2018.

Wasps v Newcastle Falcons Defeat at Gloucester last Saturday was a first for Wasps in the regular season since a visit from Sale Sharks back in August. They have won eight of their last nine home fixtures. Newcastle Falcons have become the first promoted team to win their first two matches in Premiership Rugby since Bristol in 2005-06. Falcons beat Bath 19-12 at the Recreation Ground in Round 1 but have not won successive away games in Premiership Rugby since March 2018. Newcastle won by a single point at the Ricoh Arena the last time the two teams met in March 2019. They have now won on two of their last three visits in all competitions.

Worcester Warriors v Bath Rugby Worcester Warriors’ four-game winning run ended with a 13-30 loss at Bristol last Saturday. Their only defeat in their last four matches at Sixways was against Bristol on September 4. GALLAGHER PREMIERSHIP TABLE

Bath Rugby have begun their campaign with a pair of defeats for the first time since season 2009-10. Their last victory in the competition was at home to Gloucester on September 22. Bath have lost only two of their last 15 Premiership meetings with Worcester, both at Sixways, in April 2017 and January 2019. Their overall record there is won nine, drawn one, lost four.

London Irish v Sale Sharks London Irish opened their new home at Brentford with victory over Leicester, but have not won successive home league games since 2016. Sale Sharks slipped to a 13-15 defeat at Newcastle in Round 2 and have not lost back-to-back Gallagher Premiership games since August. Sharks have not lost consecutive away games since last December. Sale have won their last six Premiership fixtures against London Irish since 2015.

Gloucester Rugby v Harlequins Gloucester Rugby beat Wasps 40-24 at Kingsholm last Saturday but have not won successive Gallagher Premiership matches since September. Their only defeat at Kingsholm since August was against tomorrow’s visitors, Harlequins, in Round 20 last season. Quins beat Northampton 49-29 at Franklin’s Gardens last weekend but have not won back-toback Gallagher Premiership games since Rounds 19 and 20 last season. They have won their last four away games in the league, their best sequence since September 2012. Harlequins’ only defeat in their last four league meetings with Gloucester was in March 2019.

Pld

Pts

Exeter Chiefs

Newcastle Falcons

Bristol Bears

Sale Sharks

London Irish

Leicester Tigers

Gloucester Rugby

Harlequins

Wasps

Worcester Warriors

Northampton Saints

Bath Rugby

Proud to support Leicester Tigers

O P E N D AY S d m u . a c . u k /o p e n d a y s

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DECEMBER 2020 Sat 5

GPR

H Exeter Chiefs

Fri 11

ECC

H Brive (Fri 7:45)

Sat 19

ECC

Bayonne (8pm)

Sat 26

GPR

Newcastle Falcons (2pm)

JANUARY 2021 Sun 3

GPR

Sat 9

GPR

H Bath Rugby (Sun 3pm) A

Fri 15

ECC

H Bayonne (7:45pm)

Northampton Saints (4.30)

W/O 22

ECC

W/O 29

GPR

H Sale Sharks

Brive

FEBRUARY 2021 W/O 5

GPR

W/O 12

GPR

H Worcester Warriors A

W/O 19

GPR

H Wasps

W/O 26

GPR

Harlequins

Bristol Bears

MARCH 2021 W/O 5

GPR

H London Irish

W/O 12

GPR

Gloucester Rugby

W/O 19

GPR

Exeter Chiefs

W/O 26

GPR

H Newcastle Falcons

APRIL 2021 W/O 2

ECC

Fri 9

ECC

Round of 16

W/O 16

GPR

W/O 23

GPR

H Northampton Saints

Fri 30

ECC

Quarter-finals Bath Rugby

Semi-finals

May 2021 W/O 7

GPR

W/O 14

GPR

H Harlequins

Sale Sharks

Fri 21

ECC

W/O 28

GPR

Fri 4

GPR

H Bristol Bears

W/O 12

GPR

W/O 18

GPR

Semi-finals

Sat 26

GPR

Final at Twickenham

Final at Marseille Worcester Warriors

JUNE 2021

Wasps

TOTAL GPR ECC PRC

Gallagher Premiership Rugby European Challenge Cup Premiership Rugby Cup

5 6

FORD

NOVEMBER 2020

ENEVER

DIAZ BONILLA

DE BRUIN

Result

COLE

COGHLAN

Att

CLARE

Opponents

CHESSUM

DEFENCE

BRINK

Date Comp

ATTACK

BOWER

SEASON STATS 2020-21

ASPLAND-ROBINSON

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

Started match

Used as a replacement

Bench (not used) 5

5 5

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

3 5

Points scored in match

PENALTY TRY

T.YOUNGS

B.YOUNGS

WORTH

WILLIAMS

WIGGLESWORTH

WHITE

WELLS

WALLACE

VAN WYK

VAN POORTVLIET

TAUTE

TAUFUA

STEWARD

SMITH

SIMMONS

SCOTT

REFFELL

POTTER

PORTER

OLOWOFELA

NADOLO

MURIMURIVALU

MORONI

MARTIN

MAMUKASHVILI

MCPHILLIPS

LIEBENBERG

LEWIS

LEATIGAGA

LAVANINI

KERR

KELLY

HEYES

HENRY

HENDERSON

HARDWICK

GREEN

GIGENA

GENGE

FORD

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

NAME Sam ASPLAND-ROBINSON Ryan BOWER Cyle BRINK Ollie CHESSUM Charlie CLARE Jordan COGHLAN Dan COLE Joaquín DÍAZ BONILLA Blake ENEVER George FORD Ellis GENGE Facundo GIGENA Calum GREEN Tom HARDWICK Cameron HENDERSON Zack HENRY Joe HEYES Dan KELLY Jake KERR Tomás LAVANINI Henri LAVIN Jonny LAW Nephi LEATIGAGA Sam LEWIS Hanro LIEBENBERG

APPS 1+1 1+1 0+2 2 0+2 1 2 2 0+2 0+1 6+12 17+2 0+1 2

STATS 2020-21 TRIES 1 2 2 -

PTS 5 11 10 16 10 -

APPS 8+6 4+8 1+1 3 4+11 7+4 188+56 0+2 4+1 81+15 58+19 16+29 34+9 2+3 7+3 19+29 2+2 15+29 17+2 0+1 0+2 4+26 10+11 15+2

TIGERS TOTAL TRIES 2 1 3 8 7 1 2 2 1 2 1

PTS 10 5 15 11 900 35 5 10 47 10 5 10 5

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

NAME Shalva MAMUKASHVILI Johnny McPHILLIPS George MARTIN Kini MURIMURIVALU Nemani NADOLO Jordan OLOWOFELA Guy PORTER Harry POTTER Tommy REFFELL Matt SCOTT Harry SIMMONS Thom SMITH Freddie STEWARD Jordan TAUFUA Jaco TAUTE Jack VAN POORTVLIET Kobus VAN WYK Luke WALLACE Harry WELLS Ben WHITE Jasper WIESE Richard WIGGLESWORTH David WILLIAMS George WORTH Ben YOUNGS Tom YOUNGS

APPS 1+1 2 1+1 1 2 0+1 2 2 2 0+2 2 2 2

STATS 2020-21 TRIES 1 1 1

PTS 5 5 5

APPS 0+1 2+6 2+1 3 5 30+11 5+2 7+1 18+12 7 8+14 5+5 10+4 9+6 12+2 3+2 3 5+3 52+49 25+39 2 2 3+1 41+21 202+50 156+40

TIGERS TOTAL TRIES 1 2 6 2 3 1 2 2 3 1 1 3 6 1 1 3 37 19

PTS 20 10 30 10 15 5 10 13 15 5 5 15 30 5 5 25 205 95

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

– MATCHFILE – LEICESTER TIGERS 38-15 GLOUCESTER RUGBY Saturday November 21 2020 / Gallagher Premiership Round 1 Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Jack Makepeace LEICESTER TIGERS 15 Freddie Steward 14 Kobus Van Wyk T 13 Jaco Taute 12 Guy Porter 11 Harry Potter 10 Zack Henry 3P/2C 9 Richard Wigglesworth T

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Facundo Gigena Tom Youngs (c) Dan Cole Harry Wells Calum Green Hanro Liebenberg Tommy Reffell Jasper Wiese

Tigers got the new season off to a perfect start with a bonus-point victory over Gloucester thanks to scores from Kobus Van Wyk, Tom Youngs, Richard Wigglesworth and Charlie Clare. A quick start brought three tries in the opening 25 minutes, including a first for the club by Van Wyk who finished on the right after a length-of-the-field attack inspired by Harry Potter and Jaco Taute. A second followed from a series of penalties close to the Gloucester line as Youngs burrowed through from a driving maul to supply the finish. It was 22 minutes before the visitors got on the scoreboard with a penalty, but Tigers replied with a debut try from scrum-half Wigglesworth, latching on to good work from Taute and Potter. Zack Henry added the conversion and a penalty to stretch the lead to 22-3, but the game was still to be won as Gloucester fought back with tries from James Hanson and Joe Simpson to cut the gap to just seven points.

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Charlie Clare T Ryan Bower Joe Heyes Cameron Henderson Cyle Brink Ben White Joaquín Díaz Bonilla P/C Dan Kelly

GLOUCESTER: Woodward, Sharples, Twelvetrees, Atkinson, Banahan, Cipriani, Simpson; Rapava Ruskin, Hanson, Stanley, Slater, Garvey, Reid, Ludlow (c), Ackermann. Reps: Walker, Fourie, Ford-Robinson, Gibson, Clarke, Flinn, Evans, Seabrook.

Two penalties from Henry provided some breathing space and Tigers finished firmly on the front foot, the forwards pinning Gloucester back and Clare forcing his way over for the bonuspoint score. NOTEBOOK… Debuts for Richard Wigglesworth and Jasper Wiese in the starting line-up, plus Joaquín Díaz Bonilla and Cyle Brink from the bench… Harry Wells made his 100th appearance for the club… Gloucester head coach George Skivington included four ex-Tigers in his 23… The overall score in this rivalry is now 109 wins each. QUOTE “This was the 2,500th game and our supporters couldn’t be here, but I know they will have been watching and this is one step for us.” Steve Borthwick

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

– LAST TIME OUT – LONDON IRISH 22-9 LEICESTER TIGERS Sunday November 29 2020 / Gallagher Premiership Round 2 Attendance: Closed doors / Referee: Mr Karl Dickson LEICESTER TIGERS 15 Freddie Steward 14 Kobus Van Wyk 13 Jaco Taute 12 Matt Scott 11 Harry Potter 10 Zack Henry P 9 Richard Wigglesworth

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Ryan Bower Tom Youngs (c) Dan Cole Harry Wells Calum Green Hanro Liebenberg Cyle Brink Jasper Wiese

In the first-ever game at their new home in Brentford, London Irish claimed their first win of the season after setting the platform with a 13-3 lead at half-time. Tigers fly-half Zack Henry put his name into the history books with the first points at the venue from an early penalty, but two in reply from Paddy Jackson and then a try for centre Curtis Rona put the Exiles in front as the visitors paid a price for a heavy penalty count against them. Kobus van Wyk was sin-binned after slapping ball into touch as Irish attacked in the corner, and was then replaced after suffering an injury before half-time. Two penalties early in the second half from replacement Joaquin Diaz Bonilla brought the gap back to four points and gave Tigers fresh hope of taking some reward from the afternoon, as they built their first spells of pressure deep in Exiles territory.

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Charlie Clare Nephi Leatigaga Joe Heyes Tommy Reffell Jordan Taufua Ben White Joaquin Diaz Bonilla Guy Porter

IRISH: Homer, Loader, Rona, Meakes, Hassell-Collins, Jackson, Meehan; Dell, Creevy, Kepu, Nott, Mahu, Cooke, Cowan, Rogerson (c). Reps: Matu’u, Elrington, Hoskins, Munga, Mafi, Phipps, Brophy Clews, Parton.

But they were unable to add to their tally before two more penalties from Jackson dragged Irish clear again in the closing quarter and the fly-half landed the final blow with another three-pointer with the clock on 80 minutes to leave Tigers emptyhanded from the trip south. NOTEBOOK… First appearance of the season for Matt Scott, Jordan Taufua and Nephi Leatigaga… First start for Cyle Brink in an all-South African back row… Firstever game for London Irish at their new home. QUOTE “Discipline was poor in the first half and that put us under pressure, but the boys are gutted we couldn’t back up on the win in Round 1” Matt Scott

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

Andrea Pinchen

FROM THE BOARDROOM

It’s all about steps on the journey

Tigers chief executive officer Andrea Pinchen provides a news update from the club. It’s incredible how quickly the world is moving at the moment. In my previous programme notes just two week ago, I welcomed you to a supporter-less season, a situation which we had somewhat grown to accept, though when I actually arrived at the game, the stadium felt emptier than ever. Hopefully we are now starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel and, at some stage in the season, we could very well be welcoming you back to Mattioli Woods Welford Road stadium. It’s extremely positive to see other clubs in the league who are not in the same Tier 3 system being able to play in front of up to 4,000 fans. We wish them all the best with their matchdays and we hope that we won’t be too far behind. We also know that our supporters will be equally as loud in front of their televisions at home, cheering the team on. On the pitch, it’s been two games of two halves, as the saying goes. A strong performance against

Gloucester led to a frustrating night down in London against London Irish last Sunday. As Steve said after the Gloucester game, it’s the first of many steps we as a club have to take. His philosophy, his identity and style of play is something that everyone at the club has bought into and will be required to match the challenge of an Exeter side riding high. With what Steve is building at Oval Park, the aim is to once again be up there to challenge sides such as Exeter every step of the way. Their success has not come quickly. A decade in the making has called for patient support from their fanbase and we’re all at the start of our own journey back to success. For now, we meet them as opponents at the start of what I’m sure will be an exciting season. Once again, we will call on your support at home and, with attention turning to Europe in the weeks before Christmas, today’s fixture is the chance to take another step in the right direction.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

THE

TIGERS TEAM T H E M A N AG E M E N T T E A M

STEVE BORTHWICK Position: Head Coach

ALED WALTERS Position: Head of Physical Performance

TERESA CARRINGTON Position: Team Manager

MIKE FORD Position: Assistant Coach

JAN McGINITY Position: Head of Elite Performance Recruitment

SIMON BARBOUR Position: Head of Analysis

BRETT DEACON Position: Assistant Coach

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

SAM ASPLAND-ROBINSON

JOAQUIN DIAZ BONILLA

RYAN BOWER

Position: Wing

Position: Fly-half

Position: Prop

Position:

Born: 03/01/97

Born: 02/04/89

Born: 25/02/91

Born: 16/01/94

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height: 1.78m/5ft10in

Height:

1.86m /6ft 1in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Weight:

94kg/14st 8lb

Weight:

108kg/17st 2lb

Weight:

114kg/18st 5lb

80kg/12st 8lb

CYLE BRINK Back row

Honours: Argentina ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

CHARLIE CLARE

JORDAN COGHLAN

DAN COLE

LUAN DE BRUIN

Position: Hooker

Position:

Back row

Position: Prop

Born: 16/12/91

Born: 30/10/92

Born: 09/05/87

Born:

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.95m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

110 kg/17st 4lb

Weight:

113kg/17st 11lb

Weight:

123kg/19st 5lb

Weight:

125kg/19st 11lb

13/12/93

Honours: England/Lions ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

BLAKE ENEVER

GEORGE FORD

ELLIS GENGE

FACUNDO GIGENA

Position: Lock

Position: Fly-half

Position: Prop

Born: 12/10/91

Born: 16/03/93

Born: 16/02/95

Born: 15/09/94

Height:

2.01m/6ft 7in

Height:

1.78m/5ft 10in

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

114kg/17st 1lb

Weight:

86kg/13st 7lb

Weight:

117kg/18st 6lb

Weight:

111kg/17st 6lb

Honours: Australia

Honours: England

Honours: Argentina

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

CALUM GREEN

TOM HARDWICK

ZACK HENRY

JOE HEYES

Position: Lock

Position: Fly-half/Centre

Position: Fly-half

Position: Prop

Born: 15/07/90

Born: 24/03/99

Born: 01/10/94

Born: 13/04/99

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Weight:

119kg/18st 12lb

Weight:

94kg/14st 13lb

Weight:

89kg/14st 0lb

Weight:

126kg/19st 12lb

ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

JAKE KERR

TOMAS LAVANINI

NEPHI LEATIGAGA

SAM LEWIS

Position: Hooker

Position: Lock

Position: Prop

Position: Lock/Flanker

Born: 13/04/96

Born: 22/01/93

Born: 09/12/93

Born: 27/04/98

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

2.01m/6ft 7in

Height:

1.93m/6ft 4in

Height:

1.95m/6ft 5in

Weight:

105kg/16st 7lb

Weight:

130kg/20st 7lb

Weight:

149kg/23st 6lb

Weight:

110kg/17st 4lb

Honours: Scotland

Honours: Argentina

Honours: Samoa ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

HANRO LIEBENBERG

SHALVA MAMUKASHVILI

JOHNNY McPHILLIPS

MATIAS MORONI

Back row

Position: Hooker

Position: Fly-half/Centre/Full-back

Position: Centre/Wing

Born: 10/10/95

Position:

Born: 02/10/90

Born: 13/03/97

Born: 10/07/91

Height:

1.97m/6ft 5 in

Height:

1.80m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.80m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

110kg/17st 4lb

Weight:

101kg/16st 9lb

Weight:

89kg/14st 0lb

Weight:

83kg/13st 5lb

Honours: Georgia

S P O N S O R E D BY:

Honours: Argentina

S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

KINI MURIMURIVALU

NEMANI NADOLO

JORDAN OLOWOFELA

GUY PORTER

Position: Full-back/Wing

Position: Wing/centre

Position: Wing/full-back

Position: Centre/Wing

Born: 15/05/89

Born: 31/01/88

Born: 17/04/98

Born: 23/01/97

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Height:

1.96m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.88m / 6ft 2in

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1lb

Weight:

83kg/13st 5lb

Weight:

120kg/19st 5lb

Weight:

92kg / 14st 7lb

Weight:

95kg/15st 1lb

Honours: Fiji

Honours: Fiji ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

HARRY POTTER

TOMMY REFFELL

MATT SCOTT

HARRY SIMMONS

Position: Wing

Position: Flanker

Position: Centre

Position: Scrum-half

Born: 15/12/97

Born: 27/04/99

Born: 30/09/90

Born: 25/11/97

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.84m / 6ft 0in

Height:

1.85m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

Weight:

89kg/14st 13lb

Weight:

103kg / 16st 3lb

Weight:

101kg/15st 12lb

Weight:

90kg/14st 2lb

Honours: Scotland ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

ACADEMY GRADUATE S P O N S O R E D BY:

S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

JORDAN TAUFUA Position:

JACO TAUTE

KOBUS VAN WYK

LUKE WALLACE

Back row

Position: Centre/Full-back

Position: Wing

Position: Flanker

Born: 29/01/92

Born: 21/03/91

Born: 22/01/92

Born: 02/10/90

Height:

1.87m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3 in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3in

Height:

1.83m/6ft 0in

Weight:

108kg/17st 0lb

Weight:

108kg/17st 0lb

Weight:

98kg/15st 6lb

Weight:

100kg/15st 11lb

Honours:

South Africa

S P O N S O R E D BY:

HARRY WELLS

BEN WHITE

JASPER WIESE

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH

Position: Lock

Position: Scrum-half

Position:

Back row

Position: Scrum-half

Born: 29/09/93

Born: 27/05/98

Born: 21/10/95

Born: 09/06/83

Height:

1.96m/6ft 5in

Height:

1.81m/5ft 11in

Height:

1.91m/6ft 3ins

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Weight:

110kg/17st 5lb

Weight:

87kg/13st 11lb

Weight:

116kg/18st 5lb

Weight:

83kg/13st 1lb

Honours: England ACADEMY GRADUATE

ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

F I R S T-T E A M S Q U A D

GEORGE WORTH

BEN YOUNGS

TOM YOUNGS

Position: Centre/Full-back

Position: Scrum-half

Position: Hooker

Born: 08/10/96

Born: 05/09/89

Born: 28/01/87

Height:

1.86m/6ft 1in

Height:

1.79m/5ft 10in

Height:

1.75m/5ft 9in

Weight:

95kg/14st 13lb

Weight:

88kg/13st 12lb

Weight:

104kg/16st 5lb

Honours: England/Lions

ACADEMY GRADUATE

S P O N S O R E D BY:

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

D E V E L O P M E N T S Q U A D

OLLIE ASHWORTH Position: Back row Born: 21/05/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JOE BROWNING Position: Wing/Centre Born: 14/04/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

OLLIE CHESSUM Position: Back row Born: 06/09/00

OSMAN DIMEN Position: Prop Born: 30/09/98

SAM EDWARDS Position: Scrum-half Born: 14/06/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

CAMERON HENDERSON Position: Lock Born: 13/01/00

EMEKA ILIONE Position: Back row Born: 20/03/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

DAN KELLY Position: Centre Born: 16/01/01

HENRI LAVIN Position: Back row Born: 05/07/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JONNY LAW Position: Scrum-half Born: 19/12/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

AVA I L A B L E TO SPONSOR

TOM MANZ Position: Lock Born: 09/07/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

GEORGE MARTIN Position: Lock Born: 18/06/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JACK ROWNTREE Position: Prop Born: 06/05/02 ACADEMY GRADUATE

KIT SMITH Position: Back row Born: 29/09/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

FREDDIE STEWARD Position: Full-back Born: 05/12/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JACK VAN POORTVLIET Position: Scrum-half Born: 15/05/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

ARCHIE VANES Position: Hooker Born: 16/09/01 ACADEMY GRADUATE

JAMES WHITCOMBE Position: Prop Born: 20/11/00 ACADEMY GRADUATE

THOM SMITH Position: Back row Born: 02/12/1999 ACADEMY GRADUATE

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

LEICESTER TIGERS FOUNDATION

UPDATE OF THE WORK UNDERTAKEN IN EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITY Like much of the world, The Leicester Tigers Foundation has suffered major disruptions this year following the Covid-19 outbreak. However, the Foundation is extremely proud that it has been able to maintain its educational provisions in both the post-16 HITZ programme and the pre-16 Dynamite project. A strong and committed effort from the Foundation team ensured that all of our students achieved the support to succeed in qualifications in English and Maths, alongside sports and employability skills. As we look towards the future and the new year in 2021, the Leicester Tigers Foundation will be looking to evolve and grow in order to offer much-needed support to the most disadvantaged people within Leicestershire and beyond.

The Foundation’s educational programmes will continue to reach out and support groups of young people, both at the stadium at Mattioli Woods Welford Road and in schools across the county. There are also plans being put in place to complete the long-awaited heritage programme, which will see a Tigers monument constructed outside of main reception at the stadium. This is an exciting project and one that will no doubt offer a fantastic tribute to the fallen. The Foundation will continue to keep a close eye on government guidance to allow us to get back up and running some fantastic events as we look towards the next 12 months, so watch this space. We will soon be revealing the launch of an exciting new ebay page, so for any memorabilia enthusiasts, keep an eye out for an opening auction launch, with lots of unique items available.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CITY

LEICESTER TIGERS

COMMUNITY TEAM Delivered nationally by Leicester Tigers and colleagues at Premiership Rugby clubs, the Greggs Foundation is pleased to offer primary schools across England the opportunity to take part in the Greggs Tackling Health programme.

This is an interactive project for children aged seven to eight which takes a holistic approach to teaching them about their own health, wellbeing and about leading a healthy lifestyle with a rugby focus. Greggs Tackling Health has been developed alongside Premiership Rugby’s new App, ‘Premiership Rugby Champions’. This innovative cross-curriculumbased digital app has been developed with expert learning technology company Aspire 2Be to inspire primary school children to get moving while developing important life skills. Teachers can bring learning to life with interactive resources including tackling health, numeracy and character, with digital literacy development at the heart of the content. Developed by teachers for teachers, Premiership Rugby Champions will provide you with interactive, themed project-based lesson plans and materials for in the classroom and outside.

Kinghton Mead PE lead Charlie Whitham said: “The Tigers’ delivery of Greggs Tackling Health provided a fantastic opportunity for children to learn from positive role models and has truly encouraged them to be more active and make healthier choices.” After the challenges Covid has presented and the impact it continues to have on our community, we at Leicester Tigers, now more than ever, are committed in our efforts to support our essential workers and are dedicated to tackling important issues such as obesity and unhealthy lifestyles, educating pupils to make healthier choices. The Leicester Tigers Community Team is now looking for schools to participate in the Greggs Tackling Health programme starting in January. If you would like to particpate in this event, or would like more information please contact Laurence.walters@tigers.co.uk or call 07534 922582.

SUPPORTING TIGERS’ COMMUNITY PROGRAMME

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

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Did you know? Supported by retailers NEXT, the Junior Tigers Club is THE place for young fans to celebrate their support of Leicester Tigers. Membership is free to supporters aged under-16.

Hanro Liebenberg and Tito Bonilla both spent short spells in Paris before joining Tigers – Hanro with Stade Francais and Tito with Racing 92.

All tied up

Name the Tiger fastening his boot laces during this training session at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

5 to Tackle Matchday mascot

This week’s we welcome our first-ever virtual mascot to support the team on matchday. Harry Fryer has been desperate to get down to the stadium for months, so he is over the moon to have won this experience in the 12 Days of Christmas draw. Do you want to be in with the chance of being our next virtual mascot? Buy a Junior Tigers Club membership for £35 and you will be entered into the draw for each home fixture. Membership benefits also include a bobble hat and goodie bag!

1. Tigers were the first visitors to London Irish’s new stadium last weekend, but with which football club do they share the venue? 2. Who do England play against in the last game of the Autumn Nations Cup tomorrow? 3. Who scored Tigers’ first try of the season – against Gloucester two weeks ago? 4. In what position does Tigers’ Georgia international Shalva Mamukashvili play? 5. From which club did Tigers sign Ellis Genge?

All tied up: Zack Henry Five To Tackle: 1 Brentford, 2 France, 3 Kobus van Wyk, 4 Hooker, 5 Bristol

Proud sponsors of the Junior Tigers Club

Sign-up to be part of the Junior Tigers Club for free by visiting www.leicestertigers.com/jtc

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

Matt Hampson FOUNDATION

Update from one of the club’s official charities...

Million Metre Lockdown Challenge The Matt Hampson Foundation set its beneficiaries a challenge to reach one million metres through any activity of their choice before the end of the national lockdown this week. Whether out for a push, a handcycle or walking during physio sessions, every metre counted towards the target. The idea of the challenge, aside from having some fun, was to keep the Foundation’s special community connected and motivated even when they could not be together physically. Within a couple of weeks, the beneficiaries smashed the target, so it was upped to two million metres which they’re hoping to complete very soon! To sponsor beneficiaries as they complete their final metres, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ MHFlockdownchallenge.

2021 calendar Back by popular demand, the Matt Hampson Foundation calendar is now available from the online store - making the perfect Christmas gift for any rugby fan. The 2021 calendar is a special edition to celebrate the Foundation’s 10th Anniversary and features Tigers players past and present. To place an order, please visit www.gblmemorabilia.co.uk.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

Tigers History

DEC

ON THIS DAY

1891

Jesse Ball scored two of the six tries in a 15-0 win over Rugby during the club’s final season at Belgrave Sports Ground. 1896

Coventry were beaten 3-0 at Welford Road with wing Harry Wilkinson claiming the only score in front of a 4,000-strong crowd. 1903

Jimmy Burdett - later Lieutenant-Colonel Burdett, winner of the Military Cross and Legion d’Honneur – made the first of 108 firstteam appearances in a 14-5 win over Rugby. 1908

Pedlar Wood scored twice in a 17-12 win at Manchester. Maurice Mann also claimed a try in the last of his 11 appearances for the club. 1925

Scotland international forward Jock Lawrie scored in the 11-9 win away to Harlequins. 1931

Paddy Coote, an Ireland international, scored twice as Tigers beat Harlequins 11-0 in front of a crowd of 5,000. 1936

Tigers started a five-match losing run with 24-5 defeat at Harlequins. 1953

On the day that the Midlands faced New Zealand at Welford Road, fly-half Mel Channer led Tigers to a 12-9 win away to

Waterloo. The representative side featured five Leicester players and they gave a decent account of themselves as they were edged out 3-0 by Bob Stuart’s All Blacks in front of a 20,000 crowd, with the club earning ringing praise from the visitors.

1959

Legendary wing Tony O’Reilly was the tryscorer in an 8-0 win away to Waterloo, with full-back Mike Gavins kicking the remaining points. 1964

John Allen (2), Nick DrakeLee, David Matthews and Alan Raine were on the scoresheet in a 22-6 win over Waterloo. 1970

John Allen repeated his feat of 1964 with a double in a 40-3 victory over the same opponents during his season as captain. David Matthews and John Duggan also scored twice.

05 1992

Wing Peter Sandford scored twice but Tigers were beaten 36-13 at Gloucester. 1999

Tigers slipped to fifth place in the Allied Dunbar Premiership with a 36-20 defeat at Saracens despite a first-minute try from Tim Stimpson. They would gain a measure of revenge with a 48-20 win in the return fixture six weeks later on the way to winning the first of four successive league titles. 2004

Tries in the opening 20 minutes from Lewis Moody, Geordan Murphy and Martin Corry set Tigers on the way to a 38-31 away win over London Wasps in the first leg of a famous European Cup doubleheader. A week later they completed the double with a 35-27 victory on home turf.

1981

Another December 5, another clash with Waterloo, another win, this time by 49-3 with Paul Dodge (2), Dusty Hare, Angus Collington, Nick Jackson and Clive Woodward providing the tries. 1987

Gloucester were beaten 19-12 at Welford Road with scores from Barry Evans and Simon Povoas, plus three penalties and a conversion from captainfor-the-day Dusty Hare.

2015

A penalty try with just seven minutes remaining and a last-minute score from Lachie McCaffrey secured a 29-20 win over Worcester Warriors at Sixways in the sixth round of the post-World Cup season.

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LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

WELFORD ROAD 2,500

FOR THE RECORD HOME OF THE TIGERS 2,500 1,836 131 PLAYED

WON

DRAWN

533 LOST

7,889

TRIES (INCLUDING 85 PENALTY TRIES)

4,030 3,109 CONVERSIONS

PENALTIES

454 DROP GOALS

GOALS FROM A MARK

47,706 23,533 POINTS FOR

POINTS AGAINST

MOST CLUB APPEARANCES AT THE STADIUM

SID PENNY �� 301 DAVID MATTHEWS �� 282 DOUG NORMAN �� 265 JOHN ALLEN �� 252 BILLY FOREMAN �� 233 PEDLAR WOOD �� 227 PAUL DODGE �� 225 JACK BRAITHWAITE ��217 GEORGE WARD �� 212 DUSTY HARE �� 208

MOST POINTS SCORED DUSTY HARE ��2,692 JOHN LILEY ��1,423 TIM STIMPSON �� 983 ANDY GOODE �� 939 HAROLD DAY �� 812

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

S TAT PA CK

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH T HE T IGE R S S CRUM-H A L F M A DE HIS M A R K IN HIS DE B U T DUR ING T HE L A S T HOME G A ME , A G A INS T GL OUCE S T E R DUR ING L A S T MON T H… HE P L AY E D ON T HE OP E NING W E E K E ND OF T HE P R E MIE R SHIP SE A S ON F OR T HE 14T H T IME, PA S SING T HE P R E V IOU S R E C OR D HE SH A R E D W I T H F OR ME R T IGE R S HOOK E R GE ORGE CHU T E R , A L E X BRO W N A ND P HIL DO W S ON. HE A L S O BE C OME T HE SE C OND --OL OL DE S T P L AY E R ON DE B U T ER F OR L E ICE S T E R AFA TE AD A F T E R BR DRT BR HOR N T HOR N IN 20 14. HE GR A BBE D T HE FA S T E S T DE B U T T R Y B Y A T IGE R S P L AY E R SINCE P E T E R BE T H A M IN 20 15.

LEICESTER TIGERS v EXETER CHIEFS

FanZone

YOU SAID IT…

LEICESTER TIGERs

FORMER TIGERS HOOKER BENJAMIN KAYSER, NOW HELPING OUT AT TUNBRIDGE WELLS RFC:

“I thought I would never coach, but the brotherhood of rugby does not have any borders.”

VERSUS

EXETER CHIEFS

TOM YOUNGS ON RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH:

G A L L AG H E R P R E M I E R S H I P SAT U R DAY, D E C E M B E R 5, 2020 K I C K- O F F 3.00 P M

PROGRAMME CREDITS

“Guys will learn a massive amount from him. And it makes me not the oldest so that’s even better”

Cover star: Richard Wigglesworth Editorial: Gary Sherrard, Phil Warrington & Sam Williamson

TOM YOUNGS ON HIS TRY AGAINST GLOUCESTER:

Photography: Dave Wainwright, Malcolm Couzens, Geoff Sellars & James Baylis for Tiger Images and the team at Getty Images

“It’s always nice to get one. My daughter at six years old will think I’ve had a great game because I scored a try.”

Design and Production: Ignition Sports Media

BIRTHDAY WISHES Happy birthday to Tigers season ticket holders celebrating today. We’re sorry that you’re unable to share it at Welford Road, but we look forward to seeing you again soon. • David Eary • Billy Fordham • Janet Gillett • Janet Heeley • David Hextall • Ashley Hoare • Ian Marston

• Des McClelland • Nicholas Meakin • Carole Norman • Patricia Parkinson • Carole Ponberth • Riley Smith • Bill Sutton

• Deborah Swatland • Marian Vanham • David West • Lesley Woodward • Anthony Wright

TA KE A WALK

IN THE S E B O OTS

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