Wednesday Round-Up

Parling worry for Tigers: Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill is today sweating over the long term fitness of British and Irish Lion Geoff Parling, after the second rower picked up what is his second concussion of the season to date. Having incurred a blow to the head during a pre-season friendly against Edinburgh, the Tigers’ medical staff had been on high alert to monitor Parling’s progress. Now with a second concussion suffered during the tigers’ heavy loss to rivals Bath at the weekend, Parling is expected to face a lengthy time on the sideline. Parling is set to see a neurological specialist later in the week before a decision is made on the remainder of the season. The 30 year old England international also suffered two bouts of concussion last season.

Jennings blow: Irish province Leinster will be without the services of experienced back rower Shane Jennings for roughly four weeks, as he looks to recover from a troublesome hamstring injury. The former Leicester Tiger picked up the knock during last weekend’s narrowest of losses away to Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway. While the 33 year old’s impending absence hits head coach Matt O’Connor hard, it comes at a more positive time on the injury front, with Dave Kearney back onto the pitch doing rehab on his knee injury and Richardt Strauss nearing a comeback, having partaken in contact sessions all last week. Leinster take on the Cardiff Blues on Friday.

Tigers 9 banned: Leicester fans have yet more problems on their hands following the weekend’s embarrassing defeat at the hands of Bath, with news of a suspension for scrum half David Mele. Mele, who arrived last summer from France, has been banned for a solitary week, having been found guilty of excessive use of the boot and stamping/trampling on an opponent at the base of a ruck. Having been sent off by referee Wayne Barnes in the 77th minute of the encounter, Mele has now been handed a 7 day ban, beginning on the 23rd of September.

Ryan Sheady