The Leicester Tigers thread

[Portnoy]

First topic message reminder :

2012/3 may well prove to be a memorable one.

For once, there seems to be (albeit not unplumbable) strength in depth, a fairly healthy squad and a straightforward, uncomplicated international season.

[formerly known as Sam]

He would be one of the preferred choices.

[Manu's Boxing Coach]

Great news.

Perhaps he'll put a keeness on the dull edge of the Tigers' attack.

Is our attack that dull? By no means perfect but I think O'Connor deserves more credit than he's getting.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Is our attack that dull? By no means perfect but I think O'Connor deserves more credit than he's getting.

Yes I think so MBC.
Not hopeless by any means, but not a canteen of surgical implements by any means.

And as you are his boxing coach, can't you have a word with your colleague to work harder on his dexterity skill-set? He's 22 this month!

Hang on. Hold that thought.
That'll be Mauger's job soon so they say.

[Manu's Boxing Coach]

Have to agree that our attack does lack some really effective strike moves from set piece and in general play, however I do like our attacking pattern in general and that has come to fruition in recent weeks.

Regarding Manu he's still got a good 5 years until he reaches his peak and I think his handling and vision is improving with time and the Lions tour will undoubtedly improve him as a player with the help of BOD and co.

[formerly known as Sam]

The Leicester Mercury have broken down the most likely options for the new recruit. It goes like this:

1. Mauger comes over as a direct replacement.
2. Burke gets promoted, Geordan comes in an his assistant.
3. Ollie Smith (head coach at Esher) comes in as a direct replacement.
4. Burke gets promoted and Vesty (a level 3 coach, only 5 levels) comes in as his assistant.

Lots of options there. Perhaps Vesty and Geordie come in as assistants. Interesting times, though Geordie will get a coaching role somewhere.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

The important thing for me is the key matter of understanding the Tigers culture.

Good to see that the article Sam refers to ( http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/options-offer-Tigers/story-18913289-detail/story.html#axzz2SauUAthV ) does not stray from the pattern which has historically served the club well.

Others have tended to fail when they bring in and attempt to impose their pre-conceived, 'un-cultured' ideas and methods.

[ed] Sam Vesty's mention is interesting. Three generations of forefathers might just indicate that the DNA is right to re-enter the Tigers den.
(Do Tigers have dens?)

[HongKongCherry]

No surprise really to see Murphy retire. A truly outstanding player who you always never wanted to see on the Tigers team sheet and for the bulk of his playing career would have walked into every other team's starting XV. He deserved more international caps, but he will rightly be remembered as a great. you'll have some difficulty replacing him.

[formerly known as Sam]

HKC the only benefit we have is that the great man will mentor his replacements, Tait has picked up some Murphy traits already.

I hope Murphy will be part of the club for a long time yet.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

HKC the only benefit we have is that the great man will mentor his replacements, Tait has picked up some Murphy traits already.

I hope Murphy will be part of the club for a long time yet.

Seconded.
It would be a waste was it otherwise.

[HongKongCherry]

Mike Tindall was interviewed at the weekend about Richie Baxter and what he said is just as relevant to Murphy; he was saying that you need these types of players to ensure the next generation understand what it means to play for the club. So it is no surprise that someone who has been with Tigers for so long and more importantly, was as immensely talented as he was, has move into coaching.

Do you know why he has retired with immediate affect? Did he pick up an injury?

[Portnoy's Complaint]

A knee injury HKC. http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Murphy-confirms-retirement/story-18914215-detail/story.html#axzz2SauUAthV

[lostinwales]

Scrum.com article says its from the end of the season - that he had considered playing on part time assuming he could manage the knee but that there wasnt room in the salary cap to do so. There was also the offer of coaching on the table so off he goes

[formerly known as Sam]

He's been struggling with that knee injury for too long and player/coaches have to have their entire salary under the cap.

[nathan]

Looks like the Castro move will finally be announced tomorrow.

[formerly known as Sam]

Sad to see him go. Slight worries by our lack of propping resources. We've got two Italy under 20 props (one of whom is still only 18) and two former England under 18s (I think both are 19 now). We are, however, losing Harris (LI), Castro (Toulon), Brookes (Falcons) and then possibly Stanko (retiring) and Bower (Notts). That definitely leaves us:

LH: Ayerza
Both sides: Mulipola, Balmain
TH: Cole

Plus the two THs and two LHs that have age grade rugby experience (mentioned above).

Rumours about Schuster plus the new bigger Mulipola have died down. I think we need to retain Stanko if possible and bring in a couple whilst getting those young guys blooded.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

A Ligers/Tions squad:

Graham Rowntree
Tom Youngs
Dan Cole
Martin Johnson
Ben Kay
Tom Croft
Neil Back
Dean Richards

Ben Youngs
Austin Healey
Tony Underwood
Will Greenwood
Manu Tuilagi
Rory Underwood
Dusty Hare

subs
Julian White
Dorian West
Peter Wheeler
Martin Corry
Lewis Moody
Austin Healey
Clive Woodward

[LondonTiger]

A Ligers/Tions squad:

Graham Rowntree
Tom Youngs
Dan Cole
Martin Johnson
Ben Kay
Tom Croft
Neil Back
Dean Richards

Ben Youngs
Austin Healey
Tony Underwood
Will Greenwood
Manu Tuilagi
Rory Underwood
Dusty Hare

subs
Julian White
Dorian West
Peter Wheeler
Martin Corry
Lewis Moody
Austin Healey
Clive Woodward

Two hookers on the bench? Instead of a second LH prop I guess. I would have Peter Wheeler ahead of Tom Youngs personally, though I guess you have put all of this years crop in the starting lineup.
You cannot start with Healey and have him on the bench. Harry Ellis can be the SH on the bench, while Geordan Murphy is also a Lion and can be your 3rd back on the bench.
Paul Dodge was a mid tour replacement in 1980. Eric Miller went on the 97 tour.
Not old enough to know if there were any earlier players.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd slot Murphy on the wing over Tony. Ollie Smith could also pad out the bench if required.

[LondonTiger]

Ah yeah, forgot Ollie went in 05

[Portnoy's Complaint]

I'd slot Murphy on the wing over Tony. Ollie Smith could also pad out the bench if required.

Was Murphy a Lion? I don't recall that.

I forgot Ollie.

Paul Dodge was a mid tour replacement in 1980.

OK. he's on the bench.

Austin would have propped if asked.
And no doubt would have made a fist of it.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

I prefer an all-English Ligers team.

[formerly known as Sam]

Murphy started the final test in 2005 didn't he? He's not English but he's a true Tigers and I'd find space for him in any Tigers team.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

We need a kicker though Sam- Hare's yer man. Dodge could be subbed on in a crisis.

[formerly known as Sam]

We need a kicker? We have Dusty "highest points scorer in first class rugby" Hare at full back. Murphy and Rory on the wings and that's a back three that'll pop.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Nice haul of gongs and recognition at the Jeff fest last night!

Tom (POTS) and seven other Tigers in the dream team plus Bowden's TOTS. Nice one lads http://www.espnscrum.com/premiership-2012-13/rugby/story/178130.html

[tigerleghorn]

I bet O'Shea will really wind his Quins players up for Saturday now!

First it was our six Lions v their nil. Now we supply eight players to the "Dream Team" and not one Quins player picked!

[Portnoy's Complaint]

You have to remember that this all took place in a private gathering of consenting adults.

[formerly known as Sam]

I agree leghorn, O'Shea will use this as ammunition. Quins are not the media darlings they were 12 months ago, no one is showering them in praise at the moment. They'll have a point to prove.

I hope Cockers is firing the lads up for tomorrow, they'll need to be at their best to ditch this Quins side out of the playoffs.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Ah. Here's the fly in the ointment as revealed on the Tigers site

Youngs has also been selected in the talkSPORT Dream Team which was, for the first time, selected by supporters of Aviva Premiership Rugby.

More than 1,000 votes via Twitter were cast for the team and Youngs was joined in it by his brother Ben and six other Tigers players - Dan Cole, Ed Slater, Geoff Parling, Julian Salvi, Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi. Parling and Flood are the only two players to appear in the Dream Team for the second consecutive season.

What a surprise that the biggest-supported club gets the Lions' share of the vote.
Bloody silly and meaningless.

[LondonTiger]

We will be the home team in the final - so do not have to wear tegh blue kit. thank sgod.

[formerly known as Sam]

Canterbury will be delighted at the continued marketing opportunity ahead of next season. At least we'll look sensible in the final this year.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Castro 'capped'? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22541849
Toulon don't want him and it likely that the Tigers can't afford him.
Whither Martin?

[formerly known as Sam]

I'm sure rugby was the only thing on his mind. Nout to do with the hefty pay rise and South of France location.

[Manu's Boxing Coach]

Aaron Mauger has distanced himself from the vacant head coach role at Tigers which is unfortunate.

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Ex-star-ruled-Leicester-Tigers-new-head-coach/story-18991022-detail/story.html#axzz2TRtl4Qxg

Didnt realise he was only 32, so probably too early in his coaching career to take the role.

[formerly known as Sam]

The report seems to indicate that we'll split the coaching of defence and attack for next season and as he currently does both at Canterbury probably didn't want to dilute his responsibilities at coaching level.

The role just isn't for him at the minute, he says he still follows the club online so it might happen another time.

Who else remains with Gibson also out the picture at the Waratahs? Burke and Geordie take it on? Do er bring in Vesty who is level 3 qualified with no experience or do we bring home fan favourite Ollie Smith who has been head coach at Escher?

[tigerleghorn]

New prop revealed!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22569543

Watch his star rise only to be unavailable for AI's and 6Nations.

Well I guess if you want the best...

[Sgt_Pooly]

A real quality LH, Tigers scrum will be a real force next season. I'm not so sure of his TH abilities but he's a very good prop.

[formerly known as Sam]

He'll have to go some to get ahead of Mas whilst playing off the Tigers bench behind Cole. Seems a good signing though.

[Sgt_Pooly]

I imagine he'll start with Cole Sam

[formerly known as Sam]

He's being mooted as playing both sides so I'm not sure. He'll do well to get ahead of Ayerza if he plays more loosehead. Though with loosehead at the Southern Hemisphere International Tournament he might get an early season opportunity.

[nathan]

Leicester have announced all the players that will be leaving at the end of the season.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/16437.php#.UZoHjZRwZdg

[formerly known as Sam]

Interesting that Symons isn't on the list despite signing for an ITM team.

The squad is taking shape nicely for next season and with Nottingham having a first team of just 19 players at the moment we should be able to get some good game time to younger players.

[yappysnap]

I see that Quins and Tigers are playing a pre season tournament in Geneva against Racing Metro and Montpellier respectively (could be painful for the Tigers boys there). Would be cool to be able to get out there to see it, unlikely though hopefully it'll help raise the profile of the sport in that part of the world though.

[killer938]

Ah nice, do you have the dates yappy? I might head over for that

[yappysnap]

Friday 9th Mate.

The current LV= Cup holders will kick-off the season by competing in a new rugby festival to be held in Geneva, Switzerland on Friday 9th August.

In a double header at the Stade de la Praille Stadium, Harlequins will play Racing Metro 92 (kick-off 5.00pm) before Leicester Tigers play Montpellier HR in the evening's second fixture (kick-off 8.30pm).

For tickets please visit the festival's website: http://www.legiongenevachallenge.com/en/categorie/tickets

And yes it is depressing for Quins to refer to themselves as the current LV cup holders.

[formerly known as Sam]

If It's anything like previous seasons expect a Tigers A team to be on display. Mix of first team, reserve and academy with internationals/Lions watching from the sidelines.

[LondonTiger]

Dan Hipkiss announced his retirement due to injury yesterday. whiel now a bath player, as his last gasp try won us our last premiership title I reckon he deserves some acknowledgement here as well.

thanks for everything Dan, and good luck with whatever life brings next.

[LondonTiger]

New Coaching team confirmed:

Cockerill DoR & Forwards Coach
Richard Blaze, Assistant Forwads Coach
Paul Burke, Backs Coach
Geordan Murphy, Assistant Backs Coach.

Blaze and Burke have both been more prominent in recent weeks during the pre-match drills.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Dan Hipkiss announced his retirement due to injury yesterday. whiel now a bath player, as his last gasp try won us our last premiership title I reckon he deserves some acknowledgement here as well.

thanks for everything Dan, and good luck with whatever life brings next.

Dan was a class act at the Tigers. What stands out for me was his ability to stand up in the tackle and thereby he enabled phases to go on longer than their apparent sell-by date.

I don't know what they do at Bath to negate the practical utility of perfectly serviceable ex-Tigers though.

[formerly known as Sam]

Dan was a good player for us and will be well remembered. Best of luck to him.

Signings of Shuster, Biggs, Gibson, Mele, Lamb, Williams and Camacho all now confirmed.

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