By Tallbird
September 26 2002
This was a fantastic night, which I can safely say was enjoyed by all, It was extremely amusing and entertaining! The evening began with an introduction by Matt Poole. He then introduced Ben and Lewis saying a little about how they became Tigers.
Apparently someone had told Ben that I was going, I cant think who that might have been Officeboy!
I have tried to write as comprehensive report as I can, although it is subject to poetic license. The questioning then began.
What’s happening?
BK- The quality of the league was pretty poor last year although there were a couple of incidents that could have caused some games to swing either way. I don’t think its panic stations yet
LM- We’ve done a lot of good things this on the pitch but they just haven’t gone our way
Will we be stuffed by Gloucester, as Vickery has claimed in his article?
LM- What a penis
What do you think about the way in which Danny Grewcock has been treated by the RFU?
BK- I think it’s a shame he hasn’t been banned for 10 weeks that way he would have missed the internationals.
Was Cardiff equal to or better than Paris last year?
LM- They were both amazing days and to win again was unbelievable.
BK- I just think the Neil Back ruined the game!
No seriously it was fantastic, I have never been so nervous standing in the tunnel the noise was tremendous with the roof closed.
Would you have done the same as Neil in the scrum if you had got the chance?
LM- I tried in the scrum before, but missed.
BK- If an Irish player had done it he would have just been a cheeky chappie, but they made an issue out of it because we are Leicester.
What should the new mascots be called?
LM- To be honest I haven’t seen them yet!
BK- Based on that hairstyle, Boothy
LM: We are still waiting for the dancing girls
Do you think the referees are improving?
BK- A referee probably wants to lay down the law early in the season, In my case I simply miss timed the tackle.
LM- I do think there are those who ref very well.
BK- I do think we should have got more than half a days notice that they were changing the line-out laws before we played a game. Ten of the lads were on international training duty and we had no time to train together.
Who is most irritating at training? BK- Garforth, Boothy and Cockerill
Is it Tigers target to finish third in the league? BK- No, we have high standards, I don’t think we have set ourselves any targets like that.
LM- They have introduced this new system as a way of trying to keep the excitement in the game.
Club or Country?
BK- It’s a catch 22 situation, Clive Woodward wont pick you if you unless you are on top form at your club but we are away a lot on international duty.
LM- I don’t think that CW is the best negotiator. It’s not going too well at the moment Both Clive and Deano want their teams to be the best in the world.
Who are our main challengers this season?
LM- Gloucester
BK- Us and us.
Austin- Have you had to slap him yet?
BK- You don’t need a reason to slap Austin. He is a game breaker, Forwards have been complaining that they haven’t been getting into the game enough.
LM- He’s produced some fantastic performances at number 10. He knows what he has got to do.
If you could choose anyone to play for the Tigers who would it be?
BK- Jonny Wilkinson
LM- I agree
Who is the worst player you have ever roomed with?
LM- Alex Sanderson
BK- Lewis Moody
MP- Brian Moore
I’m sure Office boy will enlighten you all on the reasons for these choices.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Both- What spare time!
BK- I have recently been taking care of my lawn with a little guidance from the WR staff (God help his lawn, is all I can say!)
LM- Bumming around
What did you want to be when you were a child?
LM- I wanted to be a vet
BK- I’ve always know that I wanted to play rugby for a living.
Boxers or briefs?
MP- I do hope this question is from one of the females in the audience
BK- Boxers
LM- Boxers or commando.
Do you go onto the independent website?
LM- I know Jamie Hamilton spend most of his time in there, some of the guys had a phase of going on the internet, about 3 years ago.
Would you relish playing Richard Cockerill in the European cup?
BK- That would be a dream
Can you see Deano as the next England manager?
BK- I think he would do a good job
How about you (BK) taking over the captaincy when Johno eventually retires?
BK- It would be a great job, my job at the moment is to play the best for my team. If they were to offer me it, I would bite their hand off.
Ladies Rugby, do you think it has a place at WR?
BK- No, I don’t think it has a place at Leicester. It’s out of our hands its not our decision.
LM-We should have cheerleaders!
Lewis are you missing Gussie?
LM- I am very much so, I lived with him for many years.
The whole evening was very entertaining, I really enjoyed myself and am hoping to attend future evenings, I would recommend them to everyone.
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