LEICESTER TIGERS v NEWCASTLE FALCONS
07
Peter Tom CBE
CHAIRMAN Welcome to matchday and this Gallagher Premiership Round 15 meeting between the Tigers and Newcastle Falcons. There are, of course, a number of faces who are very well known to us in the Falcons set-up and they will have been delighted by the strong start they made on their return to Premiership Rugby this season. We have also enjoyed some good form recently, with a longawaited away win at Gloucester on the back of victory over London Irish in our last home game, and then a determined fightback at Exeter last week which brought the consolation of a bonus point in defeat. Steve and the team would have, of course, preferred not to have to come back from such a big deficit in the first half, but the commitment to the cause and the sheer ‘never say die’ mindset of that performance in the final 50 minutes said a lot for the players, coaches and support staff, and for the improvements that have been made this season. The win at Gloucester was hard-earned and, likewise, the team had to dig in for the victory over Irish here after conceding a try in the opening minute of the game. But the belief and confidence that comes with those performances can only stand us in good stead. The England internationals have returned this week after the Six Nations and their presence,
along with the growth and experience gained by the players who have played for the Tigers through this extended run of Gallagher Premiership fixtures, adds to the strength across the board as Steve approaches this next set of games. I am sure you would like to join me in congratulating George
European Challenge Cup and we look forward to welcoming them to Mattioli Woods Welford Road next Saturday evening, with a home quarter-final against Ospreys or Newcastle for the winners. That will be an intriguing contest but, first, all eyes are on Tigers and Falcons this afternoon.
Hard-earned point at Chiefs last week
Martin, who gained his first England cap in the Six Nations last weekend. Just like Ben and George, George joined Tigers while still at school and has worked his way through to reach the senior ranks and is now a full international. That is a credit to him and everyone who has worked with him along the way. Since our last home game, we have been paired with Connacht Rugby in the last 16 of the
As always, thank you all for your loyal support, wherever you follow the game. While this year-long lockdown has brought many challenges, it has also been humbling to know just how much the club means to you and our community, and that makes us all the more determined to enjoy the days when we can all be together again in our stadium.
