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.

[yappysnap]

Lamb and Camacho are odd ones, but both could work well.

[formerly known as Sam]

Yeah they are a little bit. I think It's a bit of insurance against the future to be honest. Bowden hasn't inspired so I don't think he's trusted to play 10 and both his and Flood's contracts are up next summer so having Lamb and Williams as options we would have two ingrained flyhalfs one who should be able to step in as he has experience the other with a whole lot of potential. The academy 10 Bryant is only 17/18 I think and has captained the academy but I don't think he's going to be fast tracked ala Ford so 3 10s is prudent.

Camacho I don't understand in all honesty. A decent winger but we have Thompstone, Benjamin, Morris, Hamilton and Goneva all signed up for next season. I was hoping Murphy would be working magic with the academy back three options rather than us handed out contracts to a brace of wingers over 30. We have el Mahdi who was rapid with a step the only time I've seen him and Rhys Williams who is supposed to have a passing resemblance in style to 'ickle Shane. I'd rather have seen them given time.

Hamilton, Harrison, Tait and Chuter all officially confirmed as having new contracts today. I hope we got Tait's signature down before his searing end of season form.

[king_carlos]

A good looking squad forming IMO, but as Sam says some odd signings as well:

Props - Ayerza, Mulipola, Cole, Chuster, Stankovich, Balmain

Hookers - Youngs, Hawkins, Briggs, Chuter

Second row - Parling, Slater, Kitchener, Deacon, De Chaves

Flanker - Salvi, Croft, Mafi, Gibson

Number 8 - Crane, Waldrom

Scrum half - Youngs, Harrison, Mele

Fly half - Flood, Williams, Lamb

Centre - Allen, Tuilagi, Smith, Bowden

Wing - Goneva, Thompstone, Morris, Benjamin, Camacho

Full back - Tait, Hamilton

I think that's the squad as it stands. Anyone know about Cain and Thorpe, whether they are staying, going, released, etc?

As Sam says the signing of Camacho, whilst a good player, seems like an odd one given the players we already have there. I'd probably have rather seen Forsyth stay on as he covers centre as well where we look a bit light.

Also if we were to sign one of the more experienced players to stay on as cover I would've preferred Brett Deacon rather than Chuter as we now have 3 decent hookers with Briggs signing.

De Chaves I can't say I know much about but with Parling and Mafi almost certainly involved internationally and Kitchener/Slater moving that way it may well prove a good signing.

On a different note it's sad but not at this stage surprising to have Castro and Geordan moving on. They will be very much missed next season after being fixtures in the squad for so long.

[formerly known as Sam]

Cain has a nasty knee injury but was listed on the benh earlier in last season and was sent to Notts for further game time. He seems to be rated.

Brett is apparently injured and Tigers have told him he can stay at Welford Rd until he recovers and then go from there.

My understanding is that Lewington and Forsyth were offered new contracts but chose to go to smaller clubs in order to get more game time in the AP. Hence us bringing in Camacho and re-signing Hamilton.

With Clare and Stevens leaving this summer (Stevens being the one we wanted to keep) we only had Thacker to cover as 4th choice and he is rather young so Chuter is there to offer some mentoring and emergency cover. I expect Chutes and Hawkins to leave next summer.

[beshocked]

King carlos who is Chuster?

Tigers pack options particularly props, 2nd rows and flankers look really impressive for next season.

Always impresses me how Tigers are continually rebuilding and replacing.

Castrogiovanni and Murphy move on you would think would have weakened Tigers. Nope not at all - Tigers have Cole who has overtaken Castro. Tait now looks to have stepped into the shoes of Murphy. That big gamble looks to have paid off.

Well done Tigers.

[LondonTiger]

Thorpe and Brett Deacon were among the names of those who were moving on, though cannot confirm (or deny) what Sam says about Brett.

Joe Cain is still with the club, but will probably spend a lot of time at Nottingham next season.

[LondonTiger]

Oh and B, he means Schuster - the prop signed from Perpignan.

[formerly known as Sam]

Jerome Shuster from Perpignan, plays both sides, 27, has a couple of caps from years ago at loosehead with France.

[Geordie]

So another stuttering player that the tigers will probably turn in to a crackin player...

Sam you also mentioned that young second row..6'9 lineout lad...is he going to the championship this season or will he be getting the odd bit of gametime for the tigers in the cups etc?

[king_carlos]

Cheers Sam and LT for the updates there. I hadn't realised Stevens had moved on for good, I was under the impression he was going to be at Nottingham ready to be called up if necessary. Makes much more sense of Chuter being kept on though.

Beshocked - as has been said I meant Schuster the prop we've signed from Perpignan. Sounds like a decent signing, especially if he is as proficient on each side as we've heard. Given that Mulipola can also play on either side it gives us options for next season which is good. Balmain can cover either side as well I think but can't confirm for certain.

Does anyone know if there's a chance of Calum Green returning when his Leeds contract is up or is expected to keep looking elsewhere? I thought he looked a really promising player a couple of season back but needed to sort his discipline out and stop giving away silly penalties.

Fingers crossed that the Youngs brothers, Cole, Parling, Croft and Manu return from the Lions in better shape than most players usually do as well!

[formerly known as Sam]

Stevens has signed for LI as he's more likely to get game time. I doubt we'll get Green back as we have too many other lock options come through since.

Geordie Price had a bit of Notts game time and made made his debut this season. I'd expect a continuation for him, Wells and if he's fit Cain next season.

[broadlandboy]

Manu signed an extended contract, as usual with Tigers no details but rumour of it being for 5 years.

[formerly known as Sam]

It's a "long term" contract so I'd expect 3 or more years. The guy is still very young and already an established international and a Lion. Good deal for us.

[king_carlos]

Mulipola also signed a 'long term' contract as well which is great to see.

It's always been a strength of the Tigers the coaches ability to sign talented players but ones who are not really shining and get them to fulfill their potential. Mulipola, Mafi, Morris and Parling really stand out in my mind in this regard but also guys like Flood, Allen and Salvi have added new dimensions to their game here over time and Tait is now excelling as a 15. I've got high hopes Goneva and Benjamin can really kick on if they stay fit for a good length of next season as well.

1.Ayerza 2.Youngs 3.Cole 4.Slater/Kitchener 5.Parling 6.Croft 7.Salvi 8.Crane/Waldrom
9.Youngs 10.Flood 11.Goneva 12.Allen 13.Tuilagi 14.Morris 15.Tait

That would be my starting side from the current squad if by some miracle we can get everyone fit at some point near the start of next season!

[formerly known as Sam]

Ayerza will either be with Argentina or injured at the start of next season sadly.

I wouldn't write off Louis Deacon yet either, fully fit he's a beast in the tight and a massive asset in wet conditions in particular.

Tigers have done well out of some good scouting and a few quality academy grads. We need some of both to come through and perform next season if we're going to fight on two fronts successfully.

[Hood83]

Ayerza will either be with Argentina or injured at the start of next season sadly.

I wouldn't write off Louis Deacon yet either, fully fit he's a beast in the tight and a massive asset in wet conditions in particular.

Tigers have done well out of some good scouting and a few quality academy grads. We need some of both to come through and perform next season if we're going to fight on two fronts successfully.

What do you guys think about the backs though? There always seem to be cracking forwards coming through the academy but a dearth of backs, or at least a dearth of top notch ones. B Youngs and Morris have been the stand outs but are you a little disappointed with the rest? I still feel B Youngs hasn't kicked on as much as expected as well. The scouting system though seems top notch, Mafi and Mulipola have been superb.

[Hood83]

Forgot to say, congrats to Leicester on the Prem title. Richly deserved. I've been a little late in congratulating due to an op I've had and some convalescence. Easily the stand out team this year, and I still think there's lots of room for improvement. Scary stuff for the rest of us.

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Forgot to say, congrats to Leicester on the Prem title. Richly deserved. I've been a little late in congratulating due to an op I've had and some convalescence. Easily the stand out team this year, and I still think there's lots of room for improvement. Scary stuff for the rest of us.

Sarries ( ) deserve recognition for winning the league.

[Hood83]

Forgot to say, congrats to Leicester on the Prem title. Richly deserved. I've been a little late in congratulating due to an op I've had and some convalescence. Easily the stand out team this year, and I still think there's lots of room for improvement. Scary stuff for the rest of us.

Sarries ( ) deserve recognition for winning the league.

Well yes, but they won't get it from me until they lose the 'Stand up for the Saracens' and 'The big bad wolf' guff from their tannoy. A pitiful replacement for a genuine crowd atmosphere :-) But they did probably deserve some silverware this year and seem to slowly be developing a more complete game.

[formerly known as Sam]

What do you guys think about the backs though?

Well Hoody there's a couple coming through I'd like to see more of. Purdy made his debut last season and plays wing/OC and scored a few in the A League last season. Hopefully he'll get some more game time next season as he looks pacey but is quite a strapping lad, looks at least 6 foot and was very physical in defence playing for the England under 20s. There's also Javiah Pohe a Kiwi/Cornish powerful IC who looks like he could make an impact in either centreberth to be honest.

We've also got Catchpole who seems to play anywhere in the backline and two pacey wingers in el Mahdi and Williams though I don't think they'll see first team action this season. Hopefully A league for them.

[welshy824 (new)]

hi, I was just wondering what tigers fans think of Rhys Williams who is currently in the academy? and is he likely to feature at all for the tigers this season, in any competition?

[yappysnap]

Forgot to say, congrats to Leicester on the Prem title. Richly deserved. I've been a little late in congratulating due to an op I've had and some convalescence. Easily the stand out team this year, and I still think there's lots of room for improvement. Scary stuff for the rest of us.

Sarries (  ) deserve recognition for winning the league.

Well yes, but they won't get it from me until they lose the 'Stand up for the Saracens' and 'The big bad wolf' guff from their tannoy. A pitiful replacement for a genuine crowd atmosphere :-) But they did probably deserve some silverware this year and seem to slowly be developing a more complete game.

Every one goes in to all comps knowing there's no silverware for second place. Sarries couldn't adapt and deal with high intensity games against sides that couldn't be bullied and paid the price for a limited backline and redundant tactics (for the second year running).

Well done to Tigers though, when you guys were on it you were the only team to show total rugby (forwards AND backs combining to effect).

[Portnoy's Complaint]

Every one goes in to all comps knowing there's no silverware for second place. Sarries couldn't adapt and deal with high intensity games against sides that couldn't be bullied and paid the price for a limited backline and redundant tactics (for the second year running).

Triple Crowns and 6Ns Championship are non-mutually exclusive.

[yappysnap]

Ah but they're not given out for second place. One is for fulfilling a certain criteria, the other for coming first but not remaining undefeated.

[formerly known as Sam]

We've not seen him yet Welshy but he's one of several academy players getting good reviews. We're seeing a couple of our young flyers in the JP Morgan 7s. Unfortunatley he didn't get the nod for that, may well see him on loan at Loughborough Uni at Division 1 next season, maybe Jersey or Notts in the Championship.

Just seen Bryant has pulled out of the JP Morgan squad which is a shame he's supposedly a very classy 10 and I was hoping to see him as he's been captain of the academy team. Tahir El Mahdi the 19 year old flyer is in instead.

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