Leicester Tigers 2014/15 Thread.

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

Current Tables Positions:
 AP: 5th
 CC: 2nd in Group 3
 LV: 1st in Pool 3 

Last Game: V Bath @ Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
Next Game: V Harliquins @ Twickenham Stoop (15:15 KO) Sat 10 January 2015, (Live on BT Sport)


Official 1st XV squad 2014/15: ( Injured, Internationals, Suspension, "Knocked", )
 Head Coach/DoR: Richard Cockerill
 Assistant coaches: G. Murphy, R. Blaze, P.Blake,
 Captain: Ed Slater
 Props: Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo

 Hookers: Briggs, Ghiraldini, Thacker, Youngs .

 Locks: Deacon, De Cheves, Kitchener, Parling, Price, Slater, Thorn, Peterson

 Back Row: Barbieri, Crane, Croft, Gibson, Matera, Pearce, Salvi, Whetton

 Scrum Half: Harrison, Mele, Youngs

 Fly Half: Burns, Williams

 Centres: Allen, Bai , Heptema, Loamanu, Pohe, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi ,

 Back 3: Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Hamilton, Morris, Scully, Tait, Thompstone, Bell

Development Players 2014/15:
 Oliver Bryant, George Catchpole, Jake Farnworth, Tom Hudson, Ed Milne, Will Owen, Aniseko Sio, George Tresidder, Rhys Williams.


 New Deals 2014/14
 Dan Cole (Long term)
 Marcos Ayerza (3 years)
 Tom Youngs (Long Term)
 Owen Williams
 Graham Kitchener
 Fraser Balmain
 Tiziano Pasquali
 Harry Thacker
 Riccardo Brugnara





 Transfers in 2014/15:
 Brad Thorn (Highlanders)
 Tommy Bell (Jersey)
 Jack Roberts (Rotherham Titans)
 Aaron Mauger (Canterbury Crusaders)
 Jack Whetton (ACT Brumbies)
 Greg Peterson (Manly)

 Transfers Out 2014/15:
 Paul Burke (N/A)
 Neil McCarthy (N?A)
 Mathew Tait (Bayonne)

 Rumours:
Nyanga -----> Leicester, Touion or Metro(http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 29,00.html)
Fonua ------> Leicester
Dusautoir ----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
Albacete -----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
(both https://twitter.com/pauleddison)
Liam williams -> Leicester (Rugby Paper)
Jerome Kaino --> Leicester
Willem Alberts --> Leicester (Gillingham)
Mike Williams ---> Leicester (Fissler)
Justin Tipuric --> Leicester (TRP)
 

Home tickets can be brought Here:

[b]Premiership rugby 7's[/b]:

Leicester Finish as Plate winners of the 2014 Premiership Sevens!!!!!!!!!

Pre-season games 2014 + friendlies:
 Sat Aug 16th 15:00: Nottingham v Leicester Tigers @ Lady Bay Sports Ground, Nottingham's training ground, in West Bridgford (Lost 26-19)
 Sat Aug 23th 14:00: Edinburgh V Leicester Tigers @ Melrose. (Won 10 -11)
 Fri  Aug 29th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Cardiff Blues @ Welford Road (Won 21 - 17)
 Tues Nov 4th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Barbarians @ Welford Road (Lost 26 - 59)

 Fixtures AP 2014/15:
R1: Saturday 06 /09/14, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (H) – Welford Road (Won 36 -17)   (Att: 22,639)
R2: Saturday 13/09/14, 15.15 – Exeter Chiefs (A) – Sandy Park (BT Sport) (Won 20 - 24)  (Att: 9,721)
R3: Saturday 20/09/14, 15.15 – Bath Rugby (A) – The Rec (BT Sport) ( Lost 45-0)  (Att: 12,817)
R4: Saturday 27/09/14, 15.00 – London Irish (H) – Welford Road (Lost 19-22)  (Att: 21,682)
R5: Saturday 04/10/14, 15.15 – Gloucester Rugby (A) – Kingsholm (BT Sport) (Lost 33 - 16)  (Att: 15,127)
R6: Friday 10/10/14, 19.45 – Harlequins (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Won 22 - 16)  (Att: 21,510)
R7: Saturday 15/11/14 – 15.00 – Saracens (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Draw 21 - 21) (Att: 21,680)
R8: Sunday 23/11/14 – 14.30 – London Welsh (A) – Kassam Stadium (BT Sport) (Won 5 - 26) (Att: 3,249)
R9: Saturday 29/11/14, 15.00 – Wasps (H) – Welford Road (Won 18 - 16) (Att: 21,907)
R10: Saturday 20/12/14 15.00 – Northampton Saints (A) – Franklin's Gardens (Lost 23 - 19) (Att: 13, 362)
R11: Saturday 27/12/14, 14.00 – Sale Sharks (A) – AJ Bell Stadium (Won 30 - 32) (Att: 11, 247)
R12: Saturday 03/01/15, 15.00 – Bath Rugby (H) – Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
R13: Saturday 10/01/15, 15.15 – Harlequins (A) – Twickenham Stoop
R14: Saturday 14//02/15, 15.00 – Gloucester Rugby (H) – Welford Road
R15: Saturday 21/02/15, 15.00 – London Irish (A) – Madejski Stadium
R16: Saturday 28/02/15, 15.00 – Sale Sharks (H) – Welford Road
R17: Sunday 08/03/15, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (A) – Kingston Park
R18: Saturday 28/03/15, 15.00 – Exeter Chiefs (H) – Welford Road
R19: Saturday 11/04/15, 15.00 – Saracens (A) – Allianz Park
R20: Saturday 25/04/15, 15.00 – London Welsh (H) – Welford Road
R21: Sunday 10/05/15, 14.00 – Wasps (A) – Adams Park
R22: Saturday 16/05/15, tbc – Northampton Saints (H) – Welford Road
Fixtures in Rounds 1-6 are confirmed. From Round 7 onwards they are subject to television selections.

 Champions Cup pool + Fixtures 2014/15:
 Pool 3
 Toulon
 Leicester Tigers
 Ulster
 Scarlets.

European Champions Cup fixtures
Round 1: Saturday, October 18 (7.45pm) Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby (Won 25 -18) (Att: 19,943)
Round 2: Saturday, October 25 (7.45pm) Scarlets v Leicester Tigers (Lost 15 - 3) (Att: 8,235)
Round 3: December 5/6/7 Leicester Tigers v RC Toulon (Won 25 - 21) (Att: 22,114)
Round 4: December 12/13/14 RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers (Lost 23 - 8) (Att: 15, 045)
Round 5: January 16/17/18 Leicester Tigers v Scarlets
Round 6: January 23/24/25 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

 
LV Cup

 Pool 3
Leicester Tigers
Wasps
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets

 LV Cup fixtures
 Round 1: Saturday, November 1 (3:00PM) London Irish V Leicester Tigers (Won 16 - 17) (Att: 5,131)
 Round 2: Sunday, November 8 (3:10PM)  Leicester Tigers V Sale sharks ((Won 29 - 13)) (Att:)
 Round 3: 30/31 Jan/ 1 February Leicester Tigers V Northampton Saints
 Round 4: 6/7/8 February Cardiff blues V Leicester Tigers

 
Fixtures
Round 1 - 31 October/01/02 November: London Irish v Leicester Tigers
Round 2 - 07/08/09 November: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks - Sunday, November 9, KO 15:15. Live on Sky Sports
Round 3 - 30/31 January/01 February: Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Round 4 - 06/07/08 February: Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers
Semi Finals - 13/14/15 March
LV= Cup Final - 22 March (venue to be confirmed)

 

[b]A League Fixtures[/b]:

 
 Academy Squad 2014/15:
 

Spoiler:

[Welly]

Would be happy to get Mauger and Todd coming together though.

[Guest]

If there's any truth in this then it would add a bit more weight to the otherwise unlikely Dusautoir rumours.

While the names being mentioned here and elsewhere are upgrades over Salvi I worry about how much of an improvement they would offer in relation to their higher salaries. Though I suppose with the French clubs interested in him any contract renewal would see that gap close dramatically anyway.

[Welly]

Doubt there is many players who are a upgrade to Salvi.

 Same level yes.

 Todd to me is the NZ Salvi, both would be international regulars if not for the fact that their countries produce great 7's.

 Also Duane Vermeulen rumour to England (I would love).

[king_carlos]

I thought the Vermeulen rumours were to Bath though Welly? I heard he's been offered £450,000 per season as a marquee player alongside Genia on another absurd contract!

I rate him extremely highly and think he'd fit in at Tigers brilliant so would love to see it but can't imagine it happening. Plus if we are replacing Salvi with Todd or Dusautoir the salary cap would surely be a huge issue with Vermeulen as well? Also news is if Dusautoir comes to Welford Road Albacete would have to follow, who whilst a great replacement for Thorn and Deacon departing it would likely require a hefty contract.

I must admit that, between his injuries and necessity to make the most of his career whilst he can, I'm becoming increasingly worried that Croft won't be at Tigers much longer. It would be a crying shame as I love watching him play and think he adds a massive amount to the side, however his luck with injuries in recent years has been atrocious.

[Welly]

The vermulenlen rumours started as England Yesterday and have turned to bath today (Not much of a surpised considering Bath have been linked with every player to don a international jersey.

 It all depends on leaving and staying.

 The strong rumours ATM are Parling, Deacon, Thorn, Salvi, Matera.

 And the strong rumours of players possibly coming in ATM are Dusautoir, Albacete and whetton.

 Although Personally Vermeulen is a brilliant player who would fit us, for that money I would rather see pearce play and given a chance to become that as he certainly looks to be a more athletic Henry in some aspects given game time imo Pearce has the talent to be a top player. We also have the likes of Milne coming through so in terms of Cap 8 isn't a needed really.

 If the rumours of outgoing are true ATM we need to look for Lock, 7's and 12's imo.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'm not keen on us bringing in another 12. Bai and Allen are signed up for next season. Pohe and Hempetema are due for negotiations and we have both Bryant and Thacker coming through as well as the option of Loamano covering there. Unless we're bringing in a 12 that will light up the prem I'd stay with what we've got. Certainly Bryant looked every bit the premiership standard 12 vs Sale a very mature performance.

Lock is a concern with Parling, Deacon and Thorn all looking likely to be leaving albeit midway through the season in Deacon's case. Seven would also need a seriously good signing if Salvi is to go as he has been not only brilliant but a near constant over the last few years.

[Welly]

Deacon is injury dependant though.

 Albacete would be good with De Cheves and Price moving up a setup, maybe bring in Wells.

[formerly known as Sam]

Albacete and Wells returning would work. Slater, Albacete, Kitchener, De Chaves, Wells, Price. That's a pretty youthful bunch of locks for us. Deacon and Thorn might hold off on their retirements until after the RWC but that'll be it from them.

It'll be kind on the salary cap though. Allow us more finance to strengthen the back row. As we are one short with Mafi gone and Croft has injury issues.

[hugehandoff]

Anyone got any news on Tigers injured players?

[formerly known as Sam]

Which one there's a substantial list?

Tom Youngs is expected to return next month. Loamano and Thompstone are easing their way back in. Mulipola I think is supposed to be back in January. Parling is back next month. Slater is back in March. Deacon who knows but hopefully soon as wet weather conditions is his style of rugby.

No idea of Manu, Croft, Morris or Bai. I think February was mentioned for Matera.

[Welly]

Last I heard Cockers was saying that

 Bai, Parling, Youngs, Manu and Croft should back throughout December.

 Mulipola Jan
 Matera Feb
 

 Deacon is still in a very bad way I think.

[LondonTiger]

Richard Cockerill wants head coach to ease burden click for more

[Welly]

Bit of journo License in the article listen to the podcast in RL RH for a better grasp.

 Basically has a long list of names that are being looked at.

 Jim Mckay (Former Queensland Reds and Wallabies Attack Coach Till 2014 was involved with Tigers), Gibson and Mauger mentioned.

 Scully will be fine for the weekend.

 Barbieri is back.

 Also has a good interview with Phil Blake.


 http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/tigers

 Talk on another forum that Salvi and Parling have had no talks with anyone. (Salvi focusing on his family and his expecting wife).
.

[formerly known as Sam]

Hard for Parling to have talks with his concussion issues. If he makes a return then expect the French to circle.

[Welly]

Full quote
http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/read/s103.htm?106,14988107
 
Geoff did not suffer multiple concussions - he suffered one concussion and two 'impact migraines' - his phrase not mine and I don't know what the difference is - but he was adamant that they were different. He briefly had a headache and some blurred vision after the concussion but no other symptoms. He wasn't terribly happy about how the club handled it - he didn't like it being made public - but was proper, fired up angry about how it had been reported by the press - he does not like journalists (a recurring theme) who he accused of lying. [I know! I know!] He rang both the Hate Mail and Torygraph sports desks to demand that they correct deceitful articles on his condition that had caused upset to his family due to their manufacturing of stories of up to six concussions, 'They lied.'

[formerly known as Sam]

Wow. Glad he's okay. Link is also interesting with both not looking at French moves. Good news. Hopefully see him back in the team soon though I think Kitchener may have overtaken him.

[Welly]

Good result for us in some ways.

 Cokers has said OTY will be back next weekend

 With Ayerza, Leo and Goneva as well, hopefully it will be a better performance.

[broadlandboy]

Mauger signed as new head coach from next summer
http://crusaders.co.nz/news/740-mauger-to-coach-leicester-tigers-after-2015-super-rugby-season

[ScarletSpiderman]

Heard talk of Liam Williams possibly (probably seeing as he isn't a dual contract player) heading to Welford Road this summer

[Welly]

OMG Getting Mauger and possibly Liam Williams I would faint.

 Mauger and Murphy together again hopefully carry on from where they left off.

[nathan]

Brilliant news about Mauger!

Is Liam Williams really that good Welly? Is that the lad who can sometimes be a bit hot headed or am i confusing him with someone else?

[LondonTiger]

With the Premiership starting late next season, Mauger could well be present for the entire pre-season.

[formerly known as Sam]

I suspect Liam Williams and his agent are feeling unloved by the WRU and want a pay rise. He'd be a good signing but moving out of Wales won't help his international aspirations and that is what Welsh players often focus on.

Mauger is exactly what we were after. A good result.

[Welly]

Suspect it to but if he hasn't signed a DC by the 6N I suspect there will be something into it.

 Wonder if Mauger has any players lined up for his vision of a tigers backline.

[formerly known as Sam]

Saili and Todd please. A ball carrying ground hog who is onlyy playing second fiddle to a living legend. Saili a big bosh in 12 but with pace and a skill set. Get some X factor in that midfield. Both are only on the fringes of the AB squad so could be tempted.

Then again I'd really like to see what Mauger can encourage from Bryant. He's a lad with potential be interesting to see what Mauger can get out if him especially if he moves to 12 which I think he will given how well he played there vs Sale.

[Welly]

Saili unfortunately is a major pipe dream. he is young and with Nonu and SBW prob out of the picture come 2015 has a big chance.

 Would love to have nadolo in 2 season time as a goneva replacement though

[formerly known as Sam]

Saili could have two years here and still return in time to partner that young OC they've got heading into the next RWC. Then again SBW still has time on his side.

[Welly]

Jack whetton has arrived at Leicester

[Welly]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Tom-Croft-Geoff-Parling-set-return-Leicester/story-24738136-detail/story.html

 Parling and Croft both fit for Toulon game.

[LondonTiger]

Cockers comment that Tom Youngs "will certainly have some time on the pitch at the weekend" suggests to me he will be on the bench.

Thus we can expect to see a pack looking like:

Ayerza, Ghiraldini, Cole; Thorn, Kitch; Gibson, Salvi, Crane

with Youngs, Rizzo, Balmain, DeChaves & Barbieri on the bench.

Should be able to put the backs on the front foot.

[Rugby Fan]

News for Tigers fans:

Christian Loamanu has just had his indefinite ban lifted by the Japanese RFU

The ban was originally because he allegedly tested positive for marijuana. He denied taking any and was not prosecuted.

Loamanu made an application to have the ban lifted and the tone was obviously suitably repentant.

It now opens the way up for him to return to Japan at some point, and perhaps even represent them again at international level, although that might be a big ask.

[Welly]

FFS that another player gone during the WC then by the looks of it.

 (How selfish of me)

 

 TBH japan rugby could do with a player of his size and versatility in the backline.

[nathan]

Tait has been linked with a move to French club Bayonne, hopefully it's not true as he's class when fit and has a few games under his belt.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9582055,00.html

[Guest]

Given the way he's spoken about repaying the club for looking after him during his injuries it could be that his departure wasn't by choice. Will be a shame to see him go (edit: if there's any truth to it, that is. We've seen with Salvi that these rumours aren't exactly reliable), frequently set back by injuries but starts to show what he brings after a good run of games.

Expected some kind of bad news after we've been supplied with so much good news this week.

[Welly]

Wonder if the liam Williams rumours now have more strength?

 He has a hot head but Salvi was a penalty machine before he came to us, maybe L.Williams needs a stronger coach in terms of personality. Because he is certainly an aggressive player which is needed in the backs atm.

 Mind you wouldn't mind seeing Morris at 15 either though.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well Geordan Murphy was a fiesty fullback. He certainly didn't shy away from confrontation. Nothing wrong with aggression as long as it's channelled and we're good at doing that as a club.

[LondonTiger]

Rumours we are interested in Francois Hougaard, as a winger though rather than scrum half.

[formerly known as Sam]

Meh I'd rather we didn't. He has pace and a step with some footballing skills but he is prone to brain farts. We have ample wingers and only Hamilton off at the end of the season I think we can cover with the academy if required. Save the money for a monster ball carrier up front or another seven if Matera goes.

[LondonTiger]

Agreed, not really interested in him. Is Mele out of contract in the summer - thus hougaard could cover Wing/SH? Even then I would rather just see Harrison and Tressider each step up one spot.

[formerly known as Sam]

Harrison is currently better than Mele anyway. I think Mele had one year left on his deal anyway. He signed a two year deal initially then a one year extension at the end of his first season. Decent squad scrum halfs aren't hard to find we could pick someone up if we had injury problems.

[Welly]

Rumours we are interested in Francois Hougaard, as a winger though rather than scrum half.

Where did you hear that?

[LondonTiger]

Rumours we are interested in Francois Hougaard, as a winger though rather than scrum half.

Where did you hear that?

The Rugby Paper

[Welly]

Neil McCarthy leaves Tigers Academy
http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/212 ... HwjPREqUdU

[formerly known as Sam]

That's not good news. Took us a couple of years to get the youngsters through after Dusty left. Just when things were looking good in the academy this is either a serious blow or we've got someone good lined up. I hope it's the later...

[Welly]

Maybe vesty?

[formerly known as Sam]

Hmm maybe. Would prefer someone with more experience. Perhaps look to recruit an England age grade coach? Ellis or Bemand?

[Welly]

seems like there is to be a mjor shake up in our academy system.

 http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/21254.php#.VHxtExEqUdU

Ged Glynn in charge now.

Leicester Tigers have announced a change to the structure of the club's pathway into senior rugby with the appointment of Ged Glynn in the role as Head of Rugby Operations.

A former coach at London Irish, Rotherham, Orrell and England 'A' as well Spain's national coach, Glynn joined the club in 2010 as chief scout.

The additional responsibilities in his new role will include management of both the academy and the intermediate group of players to effect a more seamless transition from junior to senior ranks.

Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen said: "Ged has a huge amount of experience in the game within different environments and his experience, particularly in coaching both young players and in the Championship, will ensure that the club is best able to provide the talent within the academy the right exposure at the right time to make step up to the first team."

 Good move IMO.

[formerly known as Sam]

Suppose he already knows the structure and can step right in and implement his plans. Given his cv he should be up to the job. He's been credited with finding some of our more bargain finds (e.g. Goneva) so it'll be interesting to see what he does from his new position. Hopefully start by scrapping the elitist bull crap that goes into academy selection where which school you play for is a prominent factor.

Whole thing smacks of a bit of a cull behind closed doors. SCW out and Ben Kay in, Burke out Mauger in and now McCartney out and Glynn promoted. Something is afoot.

[Welly]

Suppose he already knows the structure and can step right in and implement his plans. Given his cv he should be up to the job. He's been credited with finding some of our more bargain finds (e.g. Goneva) so it'll be interesting to see what he does from his new position. Hopefully start by scrapping the elitist bull crap that goes into academy selection where which school you play for is a prominent factor.

Whole thing smacks of a bit of a cull behind closed doors. SCW out and Ben Kay in, Burke out Mauger in and now McCartney out and Glynn promoted. Something is afoot.

 Certainly seems that way, will be interesting times ahead.

[yappysnap]

Didn't realise Mauger was in and around the set up, this is something all the fans wanted for a while right? Ben Kay seems like the right kind of guy to have around as well.

[Sponsored content]