Following his facet’s bonus-point, 62-3 victory over Newcastle Red Bulls, Leicester Tigers head coach Geoff Parling was delighted with the attacking mindset on show.
“At half time it was 31-3, which is a similar-ish scoreline to the Gloucester game (at Villa Park three weeks ago). But we put in a very different second half performance.
“I’m actually happy. I assumed we did some great things up entrance, actually shifted the ball nicely. There was one interval the place I assumed perhaps we bought a bit of bit free – however then we bought again to doing our fundamentals very well.
“In general we stuck to our basics and we did them well.
Parling was also pleased with the versatility and tenacity shown by his charges: “It was good to get our guys some good gametime off the bench; we noticed some guys in numerous positions that they may not be used to, Joaquin Moro moved to #7 fairly early on. We needed to get Orlando (Bailey) some good time at #10. We noticed Ollie Hassell-Collins come on at #15.
“The players lead that (performance). Against Gloucester we maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit and the players referenced that today at half time. They were the ones driving that: we restart this game, we go again, we need to get that first score. So I’m really proud of them today.”
With wings Gabriel Hamer-Webb and Adam Radwan scoring seven tries between them as we speak, Parling was requested in regards to the expansive model of play that he had instilled on this squad; nonetheless, the top coach was fast to level out the broader squad effort.
“Listen: we got two maul tries. I’ve just said in the changing room there – those guys out wide only get their opportunities if you’re doing something right on the inside.
“The platform and the power of our 9, 10, 12 was nice.
“But look we’ve got some tremendous outside backs. You’ve named three there (Hamer-Webb, Radwan and Hassell-Collins) but also Freddie Steward, George Pearson. Gabe certainly get some great touches today and it would have been nice for him to get over at the end there. I’m not sure what a double hat-trick is called, is there a term for that?
“We’ve bought loads of choices within the again three and it is an excellent headache to have.”
Finally, with Tigers currently occupying a play-off berth and the Gallagher PREM run-in looming, Parling was asked about those final five matches of the regular league season.
“When we play our sport, it is a good sport. We take issues one sport at a time.
“Next is Sarries away – I’ve seen a lot of posts about the crowd they’re going to get, it’s pretty much sold out. They’re a big physical team, a good team so what a great test for us”.
Following that large conflict and subsequent up at Mattioli Woods Welford Road, it is the massive one, East Midlands derby day.
