English Premiership
Meyer says more to come from Tigers
PA Sport
November 14, 2008
Leicester Tigers coach Heyneke Meyer look on as his side compete in the 2008-09 Guinness Premiership
Leicester boss Heyneke Meyer insists that we haven't seen the best from his side © Getty Images
Enlarge

Heyneke Meyer believes the best is yet to come from his Leicester side as they prepare for tomorrow's top-of-the-table Guinness Premiership clash against Bath.

The Tigers boast an 80% success rate across all competitions this season, with only Wasps and Cardiff Blues getting the better of them. Victory at the Recreation Ground - they won there in an EDF Energy Cup clash last month - could take Leicester top.

And their challenge has been strengthened by the return of England elite squad members Dan Hipkiss, George Chuter and Jordan Crane, who were not required for international duty this weekend.

Meyer said, "We haven't played our best rugby. I am quite positive that things will fall into place soon. It is very tough playing away, but we have a good record playing away from home. It should be a huge challenge, but I am positive and I think the guys will live up to it.

"It will be a very physical and tough game, and to go there and get the points is what we need to do."

Bath are minus England forwards Lee Mears, Matt Stevens and Michael Lipman, but they will remain in confident mood following an impressive start to their Premiership campaign.

"The guys have come back full of beans this week," said Bath head coach Steve Meehan. "They are over their knocks and bruises, mentally they are fresh, and this is a tremendous way to come back and restart our Premiership campaign."

Eighth-placed Newcastle hand a debut to New Zealand recruit Tane Tu'ipulotu when they host London Irish on Sunday. The powerful centre has linked up with the Falcons from Wellington Lions after enjoying an impressive Air New Zealand Cup campaign.

Newcastle rugby director Steve Bates said, "Tane has been here two weeks now, and the initial impressions are all very good ones. I think people have to be patient, because it will certainly take him time to get used to the Premiership and to playing with a totally new team, but that process starts this weekend.

"Before he even arrived in England he had downloaded and watched all of our games over the internet, so he's up to speed in that regard and aware of what game we are trying to play."

Harlequins, who have signed Samoan World Cup scrum-half Junior Polu on a short-term contract, welcome back their former All Blacks No. 10 Nick Evans against visitors Wasps on Sunday.

Evans has not played since suffering an injury on his Quins debut more than two months ago. "It is going to be my first experience of a derby match between the two big London clubs, but I can imagine the level of intensity the game is going to hit," he said. "I played in some pretty big games back home between Otago and Canterbury, and I am really looking forward to the atmosphere these kinds of games generate, especially for my first game back."

Wasps are desperate for points, having dropped to 10th spot, but they will be without nine players because of this weekend's packed international programme.

Elsewhere on Sunday, bottom club Bristol will strive for a first Premiership win at the sixth attempt this season when they host Northampton, while new signings Wikus van Heerden and Brad Barritt could feature off the bench for Saracens against Gloucester at Vicarage Road.

© Scrum.com

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.