The Rolling Maul

In this special bonus episode, we speak to former Leicester Tigers S&C coach Will Findlay about a subject that goes far beyond rugby.

Will talks with remarkable honesty about his mental health and severe intrusive thoughts, the moment he reached breaking point and why he made the decision to step away from coaching in Australia and return home.

Recorded, by coincidence, on World Suicide Prevention Day, this is a powerful and important conversation that we hope you’ll make time to hear and share.

Content warning: This episode contains open discussion of su...

Millie and David hear from multi-talented Tigers youngster Josh Manz before picking through the disappointing 45–21 defeat at The Stoop and sharing our picks from the first Revival Rum-sponsored Three-Word Reviews of the season.

They also react to reports that Everards is being replaced by BrewDog at Welford Road and ask what the change could mean for supporters.

Plus, the week’s other Tigers talking points and a look ahead to what comes next.

Millie and David discuss that new red kit, a new sponsor, this weekends’ forthcoming games and a Parmo!

Millie and David talk about taking over from Mike and Elliott and catch up with all the Tiger’s news from a busy summer. We discuss the new kit, recent friendly game and of course, the return of the King of Leicester! 

Mike and Elliott hang up the microphones with their last pod, but the Rolling Maul will live on with new (and probably better) custodians! We have a great last dig at it, reviewing the season, reminiscing on favourite episodes, and - of course - announce the winners of the Rollies, our big-budget end of season awards. It's been an absolute pleasure connecting with all of you - Tigers forever! Mike and Elliott.

Mike and Elliott look back with sadness but also pride as they dissect a tight loss to the Tigers' East Midlands rivals, Northampton, after an enthralling fixture at Franklins Gardens. Plus, we give kudos to the boys who have been selected by England and announce some big news for the pod.

Mike and Elliott get a little bit nervous ahead of the East Midlands Derby and look at where the game will be won and lost, the importance of physicality, and place a bet on who can be the first to nick Henry Pollock's gumshield out of his mouth and chuck it into the crowd.

Mike and Elliott are honoured to be joined by the chairman of the 8/10 minimum standard club, Hanro Liebenberg. He talks the draw of returning home to South Africa, his favourite Tigers memories and, of course, his favourite Leicester curry. Plus, we munch on about a disappointing and frustrating loss to Exeter and look ahead to an intriguing final fixture against Bath at the Rec.

A jet-lagged Mike returns to chat with Elliott about marketing, injuries, academy promotions and a juicy 3rd v 4th clash against the Chiefs on Sunday at Welford Road.

With Mike's work commitments proving difficult, super-sub David Cowe comes off the bench to review a rare and much-needed away win in Manchester. We also panic over the latest Fly-Half injury, as well as celebrate England call ups and a century for Joe Heyes. 

Mike and Elliott celebrate one of the best wins in recent memory as the boys batter their East Midland rivals at a raucous Welford Road. We talk scrums, lineouts, total rugby, and an angry little blonde fellow. Plus, we look ahead to the next big match up against Sale oop north.

Mike and Elliott pay tribute to some big-name leavers and get stuck into what promises to be an absolute war as they preview the East Midlands derby at Welford Road this weekend. Plus, Elliott catches up with young Tigers openside Sam Williams about life in the Leicester seven shirt, and following a strong tradition of groundhogs.

Mike and Elliott host a punchy pod as there is no game next week, but find the time to welcome the announcement of new coaches to the Tigers roster and bemoan one of the Tigers' most frustrating games of the season, following a loss to Sarries.

Mike and Elliott enjoy reviewing the 5000th match at Welford Road in a thumping win over Newcastle, where Gabe Hamer-Webb scored about 5000 tries. We look ahead to a huge fixture in the playoff picture against Sarries and reflect on the sad news of the departure of coaches Peter Hewat and Brett Deacon.

Mike and Elliott gloss over a crushing defeat to the brilliant Bordeaux to look ahead to a chance to get back on the horse against the Newcastle Red Bulls, alongside some confirmed (and rumoured) comings and goings whilst we've been off.

Mike and supersub David Cowe grapple with away fan zone trials, transfer rumours and "DoyleGate" before delving into a convincing but weirdly stop-start win over Gloucester for the Slater Cup at Villa Park. Plus, we look ahead to the simple matter of a trip to reigning champions Bordeaux in the Champions Cup...

Mike and Elliott look back on a crazy, madcap end to a thrilling win over the Bears which saw Geoff Parling's side take another step towards the holy grail of 'total rugby'. Plus, we talk injuries, returnees, and another instalment of the Slater Cup at Villa Park this Saturday.

Mike and Elliott celebrate the first trophy win of the Parling era, following a 66-14 demolition of the Chiefs in the Prem Cup Final. We talk relentless defence, ruthless attack and the Tom Whitely "b*tch slap". We also jump into an impassioned defence of the Tigers boys away with England following some ludicrous criticism, and look ahead to some Prem action with the Bears coming to town.

Mike and Elliott host a special Prem Cup Final preview podcast with break team news, breaking transfer rumours, and unstable hosts as Mike records on a Friday night after a bottle of wine. Plus, we speak to young Tigers 10 Tom Threlfall about saving the day at the last minute, balancing Champ and Prem Rugby, and making his mark in the Tigers first team.

Elliott is joined by David Cowe for a review of a comprehensive win over old rivals, Bath, who admittedly sent the kids over for some reason. Still, it brings up the first shot at silverware in the Parling era, and Mike will be back to join Elliott for a special Prem Cup Final preview episode later in the week!

Mike and Elliott welcome you to a mammoth pod as we:

Mike dips in and out of a podcast with Elliott doing most of the heavy lifting as we invite Tigers head of comms and marketing, Siobhan Moll, to tell us about the season ticket price freeze, increasing interest in the club and packing Welford Road to the rafters. Plus, David Cowe drops in to review the Quins game which sees the boys qualify as top of the group in the Prem Cup, and we launch an impassioned defence of our boy, Freddie Steward.

Mike and Elliott are joined by new Tigers hot-shot of comms, John Wiffen, in their latest Tigers Family feature to take a peak behind the curtain at the work that goes into keeping journalists and irritating amateur podcasters happy. Plus, Adam Whitty drops by to review a key win at Saracens in the Prem Cup, before we turn our attention to next weekend's double header against Quins.

Mike and Elliott introduce our new feature to run alongside the Prem Cup campaign, Tigers Family, talking to the people behind the scene at the club who make the whole thing tick. To kick things off, we chat with James Neal, Tigers' Head of Medical, about giving players bad news, working with coaches and the Freddie Burns sweepstake. Plus we chat about a very wet win over Newcastle and look ahead to a Prem Cup showdown at Sarries.

Mike and Elliott drop some bonus content, having a chat with emerging Leicester fullback George Pearson. We chat about making his mark in big games, learning from Freddie and chucking flour over your housemates' cars.

Mike and Elliott celebrate a comfortable win over an abject Quins side that had been showing signs of a resurgence, discuss a new signing and some rumours on the horizon, before looking ahead to battling our East Midlands nemesis in the next round of the Prem Cup.

Mike and Elliott look over a week of sub-optimal news - travel chaos to South Africa, a gallant defeat to the Stormers, a trip away to the reigning European champions, an injury to Radders and a Prem fixture against a resurgent Quins side. But don't worry, we find a way to be cheerful, as always.

Mike and Elliott temper joy at a thumping win over an understrength Bayonne side with concern that Radders may be struggling for the next few games, and get very excited about a new signing. Plus, we look ahead to daunting and historic trip to South Africa for the next round of European (lol) competition.

Mike and Elliott look recover from the Christmas overindulgence with a look back at a statement win over Sarries, led by the bashed-up rustler, Billy Searle. We look at a surprise success in the centre partnership, sexy attacking play, the departure of a club legend, some news and rumours and, of course, look forward to the visit of Bayonne at the weekend.

Mike and Elliott are in a festive mood as they relive a convincing thumping of the Cherry and Whites, revelling in a scrooge-like defence, a joyous attack and some Kata-led brilliance in the process. We also look ahead to the dreaded pre-New Year fixture which sees the boys face a daunting task against a revitalised Exeter down at Sandy Park...

Elliott flies solo as he is joined by the current owner of the Tigers 10 shirt, Billy Searle. They chat about recovery after the war against Leinster, what needs to be put right ahead of Gloucester, his move to Leicester and, of course, curries.

Mike and Elliott reminisce over the traditional loss to Leinster, but ponder if this particular one has far more to it than perhaps other efforts, focusing on a heroic effort from a young side missing so many stars. Plus, we wonder what is going on with the latest big departure, and look ahead to the return of Prem Rugby as Gloucester come to town.

Mike is joined by David Cowe to discuss the experience of a matchday in La Rochelle, the logic of sending a young side to the mammoth men of the French giants plus we discuss the departure of Gorgeous George. We also look ahead to the annual defeat against Leinster but ask...could this be the year we finally turn them over?

With Mike unavailable, Iain Morton comes off the bench this week to discuss the latest twists and turns in the George Martin saga, look over a well-fought win over Newcastle and preview a tough voyage to La Rochelle. In amongst this, we ponder if a real life tiger did meet Martin Johnson in the 90's!

Mike and Elliott are back in your ears to talk George Martin rumours, spiders, punch ups, derby wins, Red Bulls and frozen unmentionables.  It's all highbrow stuff as always!

Mike and Elliott are joined by Tigers stalwart and chief maul destroyer Harry Wells to celebrate his testimonial season and look ahead to some of the exciting events planned, raising money for some amazing causes in the process. Plus, the usual sprinkling of international reviews and rumour analysis to top things off.

After an unexpected week-long break, Mike and Elliott return to catch up on accounts, transfer rumours, international call ups, wins over Sale and Newcastle and Emeka Illione's mental carrying mentality. We also look over the first eight games of Geoff's reign and find plenty to be positive about.

Mike is joined by good friend of the pod, Iain Morton, who steps in for Elliott as he's away on his jollies, as they marvel at a gutsy, last minute win over the champions, Bath, thanks to a dominant scrum and some serious plums from Billy Searle. Plus, we look ahead to the always-brutal fixture against Sale, and ask if this is actually a pretty good time to play them...

Mike and Elliott review an hair-tearingly frustrating performance against East Midlands rivals, Northampton, as the boys go down to a narrow defeat which leaves us asking why Tigers seem to be struggling to take that final step to scoring at the moment. Things don't get easier as the Prem champions come to town and we preview our home fixture against Bath.

With Mike unavailable for selection, David Cowe is summoned from the subs bench to fill in to help review a topsy turvy win over Harlequins. We also process the sad news about Tigers hero Lewis Moody, as well as look ahead to the usual blood and thunder encounter with local rivals Northampton this weekend.