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Report | Tigers score eight in Cup win

Figure image

Leicester Tigers kicked off the 23/24 season with a 50-6 victory over Caldy RFC at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in the opening round of the Premiership Rugby Cup.

The home side got across the chalk on eight occasions in the first competitive outing of the campaign, including a double for Emeka Ilione and scores for Ollie Hassell-Collins and Jamie Shillcock on debut.

Tom Whiteley, in his first start for the club, Francois van Wyk, Phil Cokanasiga and Charlie Atkinson were the other try-scorers.

Shillcock added a further ten points from the tee to take his personal tally to 15 in his first appearance since arriving in the summer.

Match Details

HT ScoreHalf Time Score

LEI 14-6 CAL

FT ScoreFull Time Score

LEI 50-6 CAL

Attendance

13,166

Referee

Hamish Smales

Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
50

Full Time

Caldy
Caldy
6
Leicester Tigers
T
C
T
C
T
T
T
C
T
C
T
T
C
KOHTFT
Caldy
P
P

Match Stats

Leicester Tigers
Caldy
Possession
50%
50%
Territory
54%
46%
Penalties Conceded
10
13
Yellow Cards
0
1
Red Cards
0
0
Tackles Won
119/143 83%
92/127 72%
Scrums Won
5/5 100%
7/7 100%
Lineouts Won
17/20 85%
12/14 86%

Player Stats

Leicester Tigers
Caldy
Leicester Tigers
TCDP
15Jamie Shillcock1T5C
14Harry Simmons
13Guy Porter
12Phil Cokanasiga1T
11Ollie Hassell-Collins1T
10Kieran Wilkinson
9Tom Whiteley1T
1Francois van Wyk1T
2Nic Dolly
3Will Hurd
4Lewis Chessum
5Mike Williams
6Finn Carnduff
7Emeka Ilione2T
8Kyle Hatherell
16Archie Vanes
17James Whitcombe
18Dan Richardson
19Sam Carter
20Josh Manz
21Joe Powell
22Charlie Atkinson1T
23Jacob Cusick

Commentary

FULL-TIME

Tigers pick up the win in a more hard-fought game than the scoreline suggests but at times the home side's attack was simply unstoppable, a great opening match in the revamped Premiership Rugby Cup.

Final score: Leicester Tigers 50 - 6 Caldy

CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The fullback adds the extras with a simple kick.

TRY | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The fullback adds a try to his tremendous game.

He's initially caught and tackled in midfield but, with great game sense, realises he's been released and has space. He releases the ball but gets straight back up,  scoops it up and runs the full 40 metres to touch down under the posts.

TRY | PHIL COKANASIGA

The centre scores a cracking dancing try, Tigers exploiting a tired, disorganised defence to inflict a second score in as many minutes as we enter the final 10. 

CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

Cracking conversion from the right touchline from Shillcock, adding another two points to today's tally.

TRY | EMEKA ILIONE

The rolling maul returns!

Tigers kick a penalty to touch five metres out and the crowd know what's coming! The shouts of 'heaveeeeeee' echo around Mattioli Woods Welford Road and the shove is on, Ilione at the back of it as they drive over

67

Tigers defence holding firm

It's been all Caldy for the last five minutes, Tigers only able to get outside their own 22 with clearance kicks. 

But despite all the possession Tigers are relentless in defence, doubling up in tackles and not giving an inch.

Eventually the momentum swings and successive box kicks eventually put Caldy up against Harry Simmons and Joshua Manz who turn the ball over in the opposition's territory. 

Substitutions | Leicester Tigers

Tigers defend doggedly on their own line, refusing to be breached as Caldy chuck the kitchen sink at them. 

Eventually the home side can clear and make a pair of substitutions.

Try scorer Tom Whiteley and prop Will Hurd are replaced respectively by Joe Powell, who takes the captain's armband, and Dan Richardson

SUBSTITUTION | Leicester Tigers

Today's Captain Nic Dolly walks off to a resounding ovation from the Tigers faithful, the hooker replaced by Archie Vanes

CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The fullback slots the kick on the angle to extend Tigers' lead.

TRY | Charlie aTKINSON

A line-break around 15 metres out from Will Hurd opens the door for Tigers and allows an offload to an onrushing Charlie Atkinson who touches down. 

Trio of substitutions | Leicester Tigers

A trio of substitutions for the home, Kyle Hatherell and try scorers Ollie Hassell-Collins and Francois Van Wyk replaced by Joshua Manz, Jacob Cusick and James Whitcombe respectively.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION | LEICESTER TIGERS

Sam Carter makes his competitive Leicester Tigers debut, coming on for Mike Williams, whilst Charlie Atkinson comes on for Guy Porter

48

CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The fullback is again unlucky, again sending a kick from the far touchline just wide.

TRY | FRANCOIS VAN WYK

Tigers are right back into the Caldy half, hungry for more.

Although they initially lose the ball, they just as quickly win it back, forcing a penalty. 

Tom Whiteley thinks quickest, taking a quick tap and go and sending through prop Francois van Wyk to crash over from close range.

45

CONVERSION MISSED | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The creator of the try can't add the extras, kick going just wide.

TRY | EMEKA ILIONE

The flanker scores a lovely try in the corner.

Playing as an edge-forward, Ilione has been lurking on the right-wing and after a succession of phase play with big carries in the middle, Tigers spread it wide. 

Shillcock picks up a ranging pass off of his toes and fires the miss pass over to Ilione who, 1 on 1 with his man, makes no mistake and scores the opening try of the second half. 

41

The second half begins

The second 40 gets underway here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

It's still very much all to play for, with Caldy bringing the fight and kicking well. 

Tigers will be hoping the keep the momentum they had at the end of the first half. 

The away side kick off long to Hassell-Collins and we're underway!

41

The second half begins

The second 40 gets underway here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

It's still very much all to play for, with Caldy bringing the fight and kicking well. 

Tigers will be hoping the keep the momentum they had at the end of the first half. 

The away side kick off long to Hassell-Collins and we're underway!

HALF TIME

The half ends shortly after the disallowed try. 

It's Tigers with the momentum thus far but both sides are competing well despite the immense heat.

Half-time score: Leicester Tigers 14 - 6 Caldy

38

TRY DISALLOWED

This near-score is all about debuting winger Hassell-Collins. 

First in defence, Whiteley puts up a box-kick with serious hang time and Hassell-Collins brutally spears his opposite number to cheers from the Tigers faithful.

The wing combines brutality with beauty shortly thereafter, collecting a box kick and dancing inside one, two, three players before shooting past another couple as the crowd rise to their feet. 

The wonder try is cut short as Caldy just scramble back but the run has caused chaos and there's gaps all over the field. 

Tigers players fly in with typical impetus and a lovely offload sees Tom Whiteley show great feet and dive over for his second of the game. However, the referee has seen a knock on in the build-up and the score is chalked off. 

CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The fullback who started the move finishes it with an simple conversion in front of the posts.

TRY | TOM WHITELEY

And there it is! 

Tigers lose the ball in the opposition area leading to a goal-line drop out. Shillcock casually controls the kick, kills the ball dead and sets off on a run. 

He gets as far as the Caldy 30 metre mark and Whiteley astutely spots a huge gap that's formed to mark his onrushing options and goes himself, shooting through with incredible acceleration to touch down under the posts. 

YELLOW CARD | CALDY

Inside their own 22 and amongst a flurry of action, Caldy flanker Nye Davidson is sent to the sin-bin. 

28

Tigers with the wind in their sails

That score has really spurred on the home side and Tigers are now flying into contact.

It starts with a great run by Cokanasiga, showing Sam Rogers a clean pair of heels, before stepping his centre counterpart. 

Tigers build up phases, before Francois Van Wyk shoots through into space. 

He's brought down well but more Tigers come in on crash ball. The crowd sense a score is coming.  

PENALTY | CALDY

The away side win another penalty, this time on the Tigers 22 and on the angle, Sam Rogers puts through another well-struck kick to take it to a one point game.

24

Great defence by Hassell-Collins

Caldy pull off a magic trick at the line-out, reminiscent of France's move with Mauvaka at last night's World Cup opener, hooker Ollie Hearn going short and receiving the ball right back to make a break down the right. 

He's only got Hassell-Collins to beat but the winger slots him straight into touch.

PENALTY | CALDY

Fly-half Sam Rogers gets the Championship side back in the game with a confidently struck penalty from nearly 40 metres out.

18

Dancing feet on show!

Following some kicking for territory, Caldy decide to run it back. It's Connor Willkinson who does so, stepping inside one tackle, then spinning off another from Hassell-Collins to allow Caldy to advance. 

Tigers then win the ball back and respond in kind, Shillcock carrying really well, bouncing off one tackle and driving through another two, gaining a hard-earned ten metres.

However, another turnover and subsequent penalty gives Caldy a shot at goal from around 35 - 40 metres out.

15

Heat playing a factor

Tigers have been camped on the Caldy five-metre line but the away side do well to halt the momentum of successive rolling mauls, winning the ball back on the second and clearing to thirty metres out.

Tigers haven't been able to spread the ball through the hands much as of yet, with neither side able to really gather substantial momentum.

A water break has been called so the players can enjoy some much needed hydration.   

7

Young stars heavily involved

Jamie Shillcock has been at the centre of everything thus far, his versatile boot a great option both tactically and clearing the ball.

The aforementioned Hassell-Collins has looked dangerous with limited ball whilst Wilkinson, Chessum and Carnduff have all impressed thus far.

5

Tigers on top in opening exchanges

Things have settled down after a blistering opening thirty seconds, with Tigers enjoying the lions share of possession thus far and have built a nice couple of phases

Caldy have just won a penalty and kick well to Tigers 22 but from the line-out Lewis Chessum rises highest to win the ball back and Shillcock clears the lines. 

CONVERSION | JAMIE SHILLCOCK

The full-back adds the extras with a cracking kick from the right touchline, the heat showing no signs of slowing Tigers down.

TRY | OLLIE HASSELL-COLLINS

With less than a minute on the clock, debutant Hassell-Collins makes the perfect start to his Tigers career, collecting a cross-field kick from fellow debutant Jamie Shillcock to touch down in the far right corner. 

WE'RE UNDERWAY HERE AT MATTIOLI WOODS WELFORD ROAD

Kieran Wilkinson, playing today against his brother Connor who starts at 13 for candy, kicks us off with a high kick that's collected well by the opposition's No.8, allowing Caldy to clear out and then clear the ball long to touch.

-5

Five minutes to go!

Despite the intense head, we're all ready here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road. 

Welford is giving it large on the air-guitar, the flag wavers are doing a tremendous job and the terrace is a sea of green, white and red.

With big competitive debuts for the likes of Jamie Shillcock and Ollie Hassell-Collins and a maiden outing with the armband for Nic Dolly, this is one not too be missed.

Strap in, Premiership Rugby Cup action coming your way very shortly. 

-30

30 MINUTES TO KICK-OFF

There's half an hour until Tigers kick off their Premiership Cup campaign here at Mattioli Woods Welford Road against Caldy

Head down to the stadium or join us here on Matchday Live for all the updates but most importantly stay hydrated and enjoy the sun, it's almost rugby time!


Opposition Lineup

Starting XV

15
Rhys Hayes
14
Nicholas Royle
13
Connor Wilkinson
12
Michael Barlow
11
Louis Beer
10
Sam Rogers
9
Chris Pilgrim
1
Adam Aigbokhae
2
Ollie Hearn
3
Nathan Rushton
4
Sam Dickinson
5
Tom Sanders
6
Martin Gerrard
7
Nyle Davidson
8
JJ Dickinson

Replacements

16
Matt Gallagher
17
Joe Sproston
18
Ryan Higginson
19
Callum Atkinson
20
Callum Ridgway
21
Joe Murray
22
Lewis Barker
23
Michael Cartmill

Team News | Tigers side for Caldy clash

Figure image

Head Coach Dan McKellar has named the matchday squad for Saturday's Premiership Rugby Cup opener against Caldy RFC at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

The starting side includes four players - Ollie Hassell-Collins, Kyle Hatherell, Jamie Shillcock and Kieran Wilkinson - who will make their Leicester Tigers debuts. Meanwhile, on the bench, Sam Carter and Joe Powell are also in line for their senior club debuts.

Mike Williams, who returned to Leicester in the summer for his second stint at Tigers, will play his first game for the club in almost four and a half years - and 81st overall.

After missing the pre-season fixture against Nottingham, Nic Dolly and Guy Porter have been named for the Cup clash with Caldy and, respectively, captain and vice-captain.

The England international duo are among seven players in the twenty-three set for their first appearance of the 23/24 campaign after not featuring in last week's win over The Archers at Mattioli Woods Welford Road.

Finn Carnduff, who is one of eight Tigers Academy graduates in the matchday squad, and Tom Whiteley, who joined the club midway through last season, will make their first starting appearances in Saturday's match.

STARTING XV
15 Jamie Shillcock *
14 Harry Simmons [33]
13 Guy Porter (vc) [59]
12 Phil Cokanasiga [6]
11 Ollie Hassell-Collins *
10 Kieran Wilkinson *
9 Tom Whiteley [3]
1 Francois van Wyk [30]
2 Nic Dolly (c) [23]
3 Will Hurd [23]
4 Lewis Chessum [6]
5 Mike Williams [80]
6 Finn Carnduff [5]
7 Emeka Ilione [10]
8 Kyle Hatherell *

REPLACEMENTS
16 Archie Vanes [6]
17 James Whitcombe [35]
18 Dan Richardson [10]
19 Sam Carter *
20 Joshua Manz [4]
21 Joe Powell *
22 Charlie Atkinson [17]
23 Jacob Cusick [8]

* Leicester Tigers debut

posteamteam namepldwdlfadifftftatblbpts
1
Leicester Tigers
Leicester TigersLEI54012208813234124020
5
Caldy
CaldyCAL510476194-1181129206
Form Guide
Form
WWWWL
Last Match
Lost to Northampton Saints 12-31
Past Meeting
Won 50-6
Form
Last Match
Past Meeting
Form
WLLLL
Last Match
Lost to Newcastle Falcons 12-33
Past Meeting
Lost 6-50