Bears and Bosses - Bristol (A) Preview

Mike and Elliott host a somewhat chaotic episode which has an edited news section shoehorned in to cover the announcement of Geoff Parling as head coach for next season, with Bondi joining us for the news. Plus, we revel in a brilliant atmosphere and even better result after a crucial win over Sale, before looking forward to a challenging (and expensive) trip to table-topping Bath.

Mike and Elliott look ahead to what promises to be a brutal battle at Mattioli Woods Welford Road as Tigers host an in form Sale side with playoff places - and maybe even second place - on the line. Plus, we are joined by the turbo charged Adam Radwan, who jets in to tell us about how he's found his feet at Tigers and where *that* celebration comes from.

Mike is flying solo this week as Elliott sails the North Sea, but the bat signal went up and Bondi responds! The Tigers Comms guru sits down to reveal the key points from the "Meet the Board" event, put some rumours to bed and chat through a convincing bonus point win over beleaguered Harlequins which saw Adam Radwan pop his jet shoes on.

Mike and Elliott get the jacket of smugness back out of the closet following a nervy-yet-comprehensive win over the dangerous Bristol Bears, revelling in a performance of solid basics and vicious, intelligent defence. We look ahead to a key game against Harlequins which could cement playoff hopes and, dare we say it, put us in a good position for a home semi final. Of course, the head coach debate rumbles on and we're excited by a new name that's been thrown into the mix...

Mike and Elliott utilise yet another week of no news to effectively make their own news about who the new Tigers figurehead is likely to be, but we deduce that an announcement cannot now be far away. We also look ahead to a daunting trip to Ashton Gate and try to figure out a way to stop that incredible Bristol attack, which is hard enough to articulate, let alone to do.

Mike and Elliott get very grumpy as they review a chair-throwingly frustrating loss up in Scotland against Glasgow, with the mild benefit that at least we won't have to lose to Leinster this year. We also dive into the weekly muddy pond that is the world that is head coach rumours, but there are some potentially sweeter waters when it comes to the fly half situation...

Mike and Elliott have to remove last week's jacket of smugness as they come to terms with a frustrating loss at home to Sarries, along with the even more frustrating non-news in respect of the head coach and fly half search. Plus, we look ahead to a challenging fixture up in Glasgow, where a win would do wonders for the morale around the club.

Mike and Elliott record the podcast out of Smug City following a beautiful nilling of Saints on their own patch. We ask how much of that was due to great Tigers play and how much was down to Northampton having the worst case of the dropsies known to man. Plus, stay tuned throughout the episode for developing news on the Gustard situation, and we also look ahead to a home game against Sarries, who are coming off the back of a bad loss to Quins.

Mike and Elliott look at a potential hurdle in the Gustard appointment and enjoy the news (and reaction) that the Premiership will be trialling OPTIONAL away ends. We also pick apart a friendly win against a young Munster side and look ahead to an East Midlands derby which is sadly blighted by a case of "who-is-available-itis".

Mike and Elliott chat about some exciting and perhaps optimistic fly half rumours, the prospect of Gustard arriving as head coach, and a mid-season pre-season match against old rivals from across the sea, Munster. Plus, we speak to Fiji and Tigers fly half Ben Volavola about his experiences overseas, attacking rugby, and why he hasn't sampled a pork pie yet.