11:18am, 30 October 2019

English and European giants Leicester Tigers endured their annus horribilis last season, finishing eleventh in the Gallagher Premiership and being perilously close to relegation at times.

ADVERTISEMENT

After a summer which saw a number of signings at Welford Road and a restructure of the coaching team, Geordan Murphy’s side were expected to bounce back this season. However, after two games, the Tigers sit at the bottom of the table and are yet to register a point, and fans are starting to fear a repeat of last season.

This may be a hasty reaction, as Dan Cole, Ellis Genge, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi and Jonny May are all to return from the Rugby World Cup with England, where they face South Africa in the final this Saturday.

New signing Tomás Lavanini is also yet to play after his RWC with Argentina, as is Tongan fan-favourite Telusa Veainu, and Midlands-bound Jordan Taufua is soon to arrive after his exploits in the Mitre10 Cup in New Zealand.

While such an influx of players should ease many fans’ worries, the majority of those players were part of Leicester’s disastrous campaign last season. Moreover, after two games, fans on social media have not seen anything to suggest there has been an improvement.

The Tigers have lost away to Worcester Warriors so far, and at home to reigning champions Saracens last Sunday. A depleted Leicester were always going to struggle against Saracens, who, despite having a host of players at the RWC, can still boast a powerful side, but to come away empty handed from both games has caused concern.

ADVERTISEMENT

Upon their return to the Premiership, London Irish have invested a lot in new players, some of which are household names in world rugby, including Sean O’Brien and Waisake Naholo. There does not look to be the token relegation candidate this season, which means four or five teams are in danger of the drop, and after two games, some Leicester fans fear it may be their side.

This is what has been said:

https://twitter.com/ShutUpStott/status/1188571783835856898?s=20

https://twitter.com/dragonfiretiger/status/1188517786491985921?s=20

https://twitter.com/TTweds/status/1188509900562939904?s=20

https://twitter.com/Samo4Rowe/status/1188499094861426689?s=20

https://twitter.com/rickybissex/status/1188525580888743936?s=20

https://twitter.com/patrickspillane/status/1188499878193876992?s=20

https://twitter.com/DeanMancini1/status/1188509569343000578?s=20

Looks like survival is going to rest on George Ford's shoulders yet again. 10-24 was flattering. — Daniel Cox (@danielcox194) October 27, 2019

Theoretically, with the class of players that are set to return to Welford Road from England, many of whom have been stars of Eddie Jones’ side, this will help them surge up the table. But the question is how long Leicester will need to wait for them to return after what has been a taxing year. In the meantime, the Tigers have to do as best they can to ensure the likes of Ford do not need to save the day again when they return.

ADVERTISEMENT