A Leicester Tigers fans’ podcast. Unofficial and probably ill-informed, Mike and Elliott bring you a weekly dose of match reviews, previews, general chat and wildly optimistic predictions. Follow on Twitter at: @rollingmaulpod or email us at [email protected]
WIth Elliott off relaxing in the Lake District, Tigers fan Iain Morton takes on the hard yards in reviewing a pant-browningly tense win against Ealing that saw the boys get through to the Premiership Cup final and a shot at some silverware.
Mike and Elliott look forward to a return for action as the boys take on Ealing in the semi-finals of the Premiership Cup, joined by Tigers scrum half Tom Whiteley in the process to chat about getting back after a mid-season break, developing his game and having the balls the shout at some of the mutants in the Leicester pack. Plus, Jess Bunyard of the LTW Fancast drops in to chat about the progression of the women's side following an emphatic derby win and how we can look to improve engagement ...
As we enter the mid-season break, Mike and Elliott host the Rolling Maul's fist Tigers' Forum-Debate-Thing, with Adam Whitty (Radio Leicester), John Wiffen (Leicester Mercury) and Ethan Clamp (Leicester Tigers Memes). On the topics for discussion - what do we make of the rumours of Saudi investment in the club, how is the team performing and where can they improve, who has shone so far and, critically, does Mike Brown drink the blood of his enemies to remain forever young?
Mike and Elliott take a smug amount of pleasure in reviewing a critical away win at the Stoop for Tigers which catapults them right back into the thick of the playoff race. We take a look at why Tigers deserved this victory, notwithstanding the large dollop of fortune at the end, and why there is much to be optimistic about heading into the 6 Nations break. Plus, we look at some of the rumours floating around on the number 8 and loosehead prop front.
Mike and Elliott are joined by sports journalist John Wiffen as they review another case of the blues against Leinster before looking ahead to a crunch fixture against Harlequins, with both sides depleted by international call ups. Plus, we wonder what the solution could be as the absentee list leaves us down to the bare bones in the 3 shirt...
Mike and Elliott sift through the ashes of a brutal loss against a big, mean gang of bullies at La Rochelle, pick through the issues of the Tigers' attack, but still look for crumbs of comfort to take into the next daunting fixture, at home against Leinster. We preview that one and wonder if this represents the best chance to get the big blue monkey off our backs...
Mike and Elliott are joined by the voice of rugby, TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins, to chat about the state of the game in England and Tigers progress under Dan McKellar. We also bask in the glory of a crucial win against Saracens and a dominant scrummaging display, before warily eying up a monster of a challenge away at double Champions Cup winners La Rochelle.
Mike and Elliott welcome in 2024 with Tigers hooker Charlie Clare as the rehabbing stalwart chats injury, how the squad is pulling together with some huge games on the horizon, and Christmas feasts. Plus, we review a solid 5 point win over Bath to finish 2023 on a high, look ahead to a crunch encounter (and double-header with the women's side!) against Saracens, as well as pumping out some juicy rumours for Jasper's replacement in the 8 shirt...
Mike and Elliott are joined by BBC Radio Leicester host Adam Whitty to revel in a young Tigers' side's remarkable win away against French giants Stade Francais, paying special homage to the Vane Train and Harry Wells, the Prince of Paris, in the process. We also look ahead to a tough and pivotal fixture against a superbly drilled Exeter side at Sandy Park, as well as looking at potential replacements following the sad news that Jasper Wiese will be off at the end of the season.
Mike and Elliott breathe a sigh of relief after seeing the Tigers avoid a major banana skin against the heavily rotated Stormers in the Champions Cup and wonder what it must be like to incur the wrath of McKellar. We also check out some frightening options for the 13 jersey for our Nails XV and look ahead to a challenging trip to Paris to face old rivals Stade Francais.
Mike and Elliott sit on their soggy bottoms to chat to the people's champion of the Great British Bake Off and huge Tigers fan, Dr Josh Smalley, about his experiences in the tent, playing rugby and following Leicester through thick and thin. Plus, we keep things high brow by chatting to Charles Richardson of the Daily Telegraph about the big home win against Newcastle, before turning our attention to the Champions Cup opener at Welford Road against South African side, the Stormers.
Mike (battling illness) and Elliott review the latest victory at Kingsholm where Tigers produced a long-awaited, if not entirely seamless, bonus point win. We also look ahead to a home fixture against table-proppers Newcastle, and list out the candidates for the fly half jersey in the Nails XV.
Mike and Elliott are joined by East Midlands derby veteran and Tigers legend George Chuter to review a scappy yet hugely important win over Northampton, reminiscing about his silky ball skills in the process. Plus, commentator Sam Roberts joins us to talk about the upcoming Slater Cup match against Gloucester and his work with the ex-Tigers and Cheery-and-Whites favourite, and we find time to name the toughest, lippiest scrum half to have ever worn the Leicester jersey.
Mike and Elliott find that a sober rewatch of a frustrating loss to Quins shows real signs of progression, and are then joined by former Leicester Mercury journalist Bobby Bridge, now plying his trade at Franklins Gardens having turned to the dark side, to look ahead to the East Midlands derby. Plus, we chat to young hooker Archie Vanes about coming through the ranks as a budding member of the ABC club, and how the team will fix their lineout worries.
Mike and Elliott pick apart a tough loss at Saracens where the major talking point was one side resting their returning World Cup stars, and the other...well...not. We find shoots of promise before turning our attention to a home fixture against Quins which should see some serious cavalry return, as well as naming some niggly little so-and-sos as options for the 9 shirt in our Nails XV.
Mike and Elliott reflect on two significant kicks over the weekend, Jamie's Shillcock's last minute winner against Bath, and the kick in the preverbials as we come to terms with rumours that Rugby Australia want Dan McKellar to replace the disastrous Eddie Jones. Plus, we speak to Fezcast ahead of the game against Saracens and take a peek at some bully-boy number 8s for our Nails XV.
Mike and Elliott return from their (separate!) trips abroad to find Tigers still struggling to find their groove against Sale. We try to decipher where things are going wrong during a disappointing start, look ahead to a tricky trip to the Rec to play an in-form Bath side, and Mike reveals his dislike of American tour groups.
Mike and Elliott host a shortened podcast due to work/holiday commitments but that's probably for the best as they face up to a sobering evening at Ashton Gate as the Tigers crash to a disappointing loss against Bristol. We also look at how the boys may find redemption against Sale at Welford Road on Saturday, as well as naming a proper nutter at blindside in our Nails XV.
Mike and Elliott host a jam packed episode which features an interview with former Tigers try scoring machine (now smooth radio commentator) Tom Varndell, before previewing the big Premiership kick off against Bristol with Pete Brearley from the Bears Beyond the Gate podcast. Plus, we review a tough loss for a young side at Bedford and look at the options for the 6 shirt in our Nails XV feature.
Mike and Elliott are joined by young Tigers centre Joe Woodward to chat about his progression through the ranks, life in the McKellar era and, importantly, his worst housemate. Plus, we look back on an emphatic statement win over Newcastle, check in on the final Premiership Cup fixture away at Bedford and (finally) complete our wider season preview of the remaining Premiership Clubs.
Mike and Elliott think things are starting to build nicely for Tigers after a convincing win over Ampthill in the Premiership Cup, but look for the side to take it up a notch in the upcoming crunch game against Newcastle, which will likely decide who tops the group. Plus, we look at some legendary locks for the Nails XV and wonder if the disastrous World Cup campaign for the Wallabies could have a knock on effect at Welford Road...
Mike and Elliott chat through a scrappy (but rare and welcome!) over Sale and dig a little deeper as to whether or not there are any off field drivers behind Tigers' strong team selections for the Cup. Plus, we look ahead to another new fixture at home to Ampthill, as well as hyping up an imaginary scrap between Julian White and Darren Garforth.
Mike and Elliott are joined by Tigers legend Austin Healey to discuss his time at Tigers and the challenges of remaining impartial when commentating and wanting them to win every game 50-0. Plus, we review a tough win against a resilient Caldy side in the Premiership Cup, before looking ahead to a tricky fixture away at Sale in the same competition.
Mike and Elliott host a front row bonanza, chatting with Tigers hooker Charlie Clare (long time/part time listener, first time caller) and reviewing the pre-season hit out against Nottingham with now regular guest, tighthead prop Joe Heyes. Plus, we look ahead to the first Premiership Cup fixture against Caldy, as well as throwing around the names of some genuine hard b*stards in our new feature, the "Nails XV".
Mike and Elliott discuss some rumours, kits and injuries before looking ahead to Dan McKellar's first hit out against Nottingham in a pre-season friendly and taking a stab at what we hope to see in our first hit out of the year. Plus, we lay the groundwork for future humiliation by looking at Bath, Bristol, Exeter and Gloucester's prospects for the Premiership season.
Mike and Elliott carry on their in depth look at the Tigers squad, predicting who will be the player of the season, young player and the best newcomer, whilst also getting excited about a cheeky kit rumour doing the rounds...
Mike and Elliott usher in a new season of the Rolling Maul pod, taking in the latest news, running the rule over some tasty stash and making our calls on who will be players to watch this year.
Absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Mike just watched Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, relax and roll your eyes at this overdramatic, overelaborate 2 minute trailer for what we've got in store in Season 3.
Mike and Elliott present a bumper season finale, chatting to King of Leicester Freddie Burns as he parties in Dunedin for the Highlanders, as well as having a natter with tighthead prop Joe Heyes about the season just gone, and what lies ahead. Plus, Tigers commentator Chris Egerton joins us to review our end of season awards and welcome in the Dan McKellar era.
Mike and Elliott review a heartbreaking but stirring effort against Sale in the Premiership semi-final, a loss that sees the season come to an end a little earlier than last time out. We look at the reasons for the defeat, and explore some of the huge positives to come out of it too.
