Leicester Tigers Thread 2014/15 (+ Squad updates for 2015/16) Part 2

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

Current Tables Positions:
AP: 3rd Losing SF to Bath
CC: Out (Group Stage)
LV: Out (Semi Final)
A League: 4th Northern Conference.
AP Sevens:
Academy AP U18 League: 2nd Northern Conference beating Bath on finals day to finish 3rd overall.

Next Game: V Argetnina (Welford road) 5th/6th September Time: TBD.

Senior Squad 2014/15: (Leaving), (Signed new deal) (Retiring)
Coaches: Cockerill (DOR), Blaze (Ass. Forwards), Blake (Defence + Skills Coach), Murphy (Ass.Backs)
1/3) Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo
2) T.Youngs, Ghiraldini, Briggs, Thacker
4/5) Deacon, De Chaves, Kitchener, Parling, Peterson, Price, Slater, Thorn, Whetton
6/7/8) Barbieri, Crane, Croft, Gibson, Pearce, Salvi
9) Harrison, Mele, Youngs
10) Burns, Williams
12/13) Allen, Bai, Hepetema, Loamanu, Pohe, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi
11/14) Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Hamilton, Scully, Thompstone
15) Bell, Morris, Tait

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

2015/16 Senior Squad ATM: (New Signings)
Coaches: Cockerill (DOR), Mauger (HC), Hansen (Defence + Skills Coach), Blaze (Ass. Forwards), Murphy (Ass. Backs)
1/3) Ayerza, Balmain, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo
2) Youngs, Ghiraldini, Bateman, Thacker
4/5) De Chaves, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Slater
6/7/8) Crane, Croft, Fonua, McCaffrey, O'Connor, Pearce, Williams
9) Harrison, Kitto, Youngs
10) Burns, Williams
12/13) Allen, Bai, Loamanu, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi
11/14) Benjamin, Betham, Camacho, Goneva, Thompstone
15) Bell, Morris, Tait

2015/16 Development Squad: N/A

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
Sam Harrison
Tom Croft
Niall Morris
Seb De Cheves
Mathew Tait
Niall Morris

Out Of Contract
Roberts
Camacho
Bell
Smith


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)

2015/16
Greg Bateman (Exeter)
Mike Williams (Warriors)
Mike Fitzgerald (Chiefs)
Opeti Fonua (Welsh)
Brendon O'Connor (Blues)
Peter Betham (NSW Waratahs)
Lachlan McCaffrey (London Welsh)
Jono Kitto (Bay of Plenty + Cheifs Development Squad)

Transfers Out 2014/15:
Paul Burke (N/A)
Phil Blake (N/A)
Neil McCarthy (N?A)
Mathew Tait (Bayonne)
Tom Price (Scarlets)
Geoff Parling (Exeter)
Neil Briggs (Sale)
Julien Salvi (Exeter)
Pohe (USC)
Brad Thorn (Retirement)
Peterson (Glasgow)
Hamilton (Coventry)
Bristow (Wasps)
R.Williams (?)
Whetton
Hepetema


Rumours:
IN
Matt Todd -------> Leicester
Francois Hougaard ----> Leicester, Exeter Chiefs.
Maxime Mermoz ------> Leicester
Burrow ----------------> Leicester

Out
Allen (Retirement)
Manu (Toulouse, Saracens, Racing)
 

[formerly known as Sam]

I hadn't heard anything about him being unhappy with tigers as such maybe about them letting him go.

I had heard this news for a while though before the bath game which is why he was not present there.

I had heard he was unhappy living in the area and had struggled to settle in Leicestershire with his friends and family on the other side of the world. I suspect that may have led to him gambling out of boredom.

Sorry state of affairs and more bad news this week. Wath the club announce a centre signing pronto to try and spin some good news for the fans.

[Gooseberry]

I know jimpy still an excellent player.

The fact is he is 22 so has plenty of time left and is signed in an area we have depth so him currently being injured isn't a problem to me.

Therefore I don't see how it is ridiculous.

Its ridiculous because some of the players that Cockerill has signed in the past who were injured at the time (with fairly innocuous injuries by the way) have turned out to be long term injured and never really fulfilled their potential. I seem to remember Miles Benjamin being a good example of this.

Stop signing injured bloody players!

Yeah like Tait for example ....

[formerly known as Sam]

It took a while for Tait to come good but he has proved to be a great asset to the squad. We rescued Pearce from an early retirement and towards the end of the season he looked every bit the successor to the 8 shirt.

Back to Tait where do we see him next season? Should he stay at 13, go back to 15 or is he the Mauger project for 12?

[Welly]

ATM IF the squad stays like it is would go with start of season:

9) Harrison
10) Williams/Burns
11) Betham
12) Manu
13) Tait
14) Goneva
15) Bell

21) Kitto
22) Bai
23) Loamanu/Benjamin

Assuming youngs is with England and Morris injured still.

[formerly known as Sam]

Burns as an option at 15 maybe with a midfield of Williams, Manu, Tait? Would give us a lot more creativity in the backs. Bell and Loamamo on the bench.

Morris will miss the start of the season. I assume the rest will be fit and firing by then.

[Welly]

I don't like the idea of burns @15 In a normal AP game and Bell has played there more and IMO looks very promising.

I also prefer Bells distance kicking @ 15 to burns more tactical kicking which suits 10 but not 15.

[king_carlos]

With Kitto playing ITM cup will he be back in time to make the start of the season?

Welly - I'd have Thompstone in there over Loamanu or Benjamin. I thought he was excellent for us last season at a time when our other wingers were either crocked or struggling for impact, Goneva especially.

9.Harrison
10.Williams
11.Thompstone
12.Manu
13.Tait
14.Betham
15.Bell

21.Kitto - Tresidder if he isn't ready
22.Bai
23.Goneva

I'd be tempted by that for the start of the season. Looking to use Nikki off the bench for his impact and versatility early on.

[Welly]

Forgot thompstone yes he will be up there.

RE Kitto is not def in the ITM squads unless I have missed the official squad announcements I know he is playing for BOP ATM in there trial games but nothing to say he is def in there squad.

Also doubt BOP will get into the finals anyway pretty poor record.

I think he will be here it is his best shot at game time till 6N's.

[formerly known as Sam]

I rate Thompstone over Goneva. Loamano is a better bench option as he covers more of the back line.

[king_carlos]

I think it depends how Goneva is used fkaS. If we over rely on him in a poor backline then he will struggle. Likewise if we jump him from wing to centre where his defense can be targeted.

However if we can get back to using him more sparingly in a better backline then I think he can become the threat he was during 2013/14 season.

[formerly known as Sam]

I like Thompstone's work rate though. Particularly in defence he'll really work to get back and cover whilst Niki won't. He also showed some good skills balm in hand towards the end of the season with that great finish vs Wasps in particular. You're right though Niki might come alive again in a functioning back line.

[Welly]

have signed matt Parr as player coach.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'm glad he's back but I hope he isn't required to play. I'm hoping to see the likes of Brugnara and Sio get game time. Rizzo will be back before long as well. The RWC is a good chance to progress our young props in a similar way to how we were able to progress Balmain last season.

Parr as a coach to our academy front row and as a strength and conditioning coach is a good move going forward though.

[king_carlos]

Whilst I don't agree with him being cut, Slater missing out on the 45 for England does mean that our skipper will have a full preseason with the new squad and coaches which is no bad thing. He should also be coming in with very high fitness standards if the noises about the camps are anything to go by.

I'd be very happy with this for a start of season side if Ayerza, Cole and both Youngs brothers are still away.

1.Rizzo or Mulipola
2.Ghirildini or Bateman
3.Balmain
4.Slater
5.Kitchener
6.Croft or Williams
7.O'Connor
8.Fonau

9.Harrison
10.Burns or Williams

11.Thompstone or Goneva
12.Tuilagi
13.Tait
14.Betham
15.Morris

If Morris isn't fit we can either give Bell a chance or keep Tait there with Loamanu, Roberts or Catchpole in the centre. That is hoping that Manu doesn't suffer another injury set back though.

[formerly known as Sam]

I doubt Morris is fit. I think Manu will be as there was a rumour he was fit and only withheld from duty due to his court case.

Slater being released is great for us but bad for England. Not only is he a great leader but there's not another lock with his all round abilities and sheer consistency of high quality performance. I wouldn't swap him for any other AP lock.

[formerly known as Sam]

New kit revealed tomorrow and on sale from August 1st.

[Welly]

Oh excited!!!!!!!!!

[Jimpy]

Oh excited!!!!!!!!!

[formerly known as Sam]

Well it's otherwise all gone quiet so nice for there to be some news.

[Welly]

Yep been a boring month.

[formerly known as Sam]

Certainly has. In a way it would be better if the free agent period had to happen at the end of the season so we had something to talk about.

[formerly known as Sam]

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/23197.php#.VadrlclwbqA

It's almost more traditional. ..

[Welly]

I like the classic version and the socks look nice with the white tops.

On the whole an improvement on recent years IMO.

[LondonTiger]

Yeah I prefer the classic version. Wonder what the away kit will look like as (wavy stripes apart) they have been the abomination recently.

[formerly known as Sam]

Yes I think the traditional kit will be bought en masse by those have been offended by recent kit options. It's a definite improvement. The training kit is a touch dull but we'll see what they offer up for the away kit.

[Welly]

Must be the biggest change in personnel in a long time for Leicester:

6 new backroom staff coming in.

17 Players leaving.
10 players arriving.

The change looks like this ATM:
Back Room staff:
Head Coach: Mauger -------------------> Burke
Backs/Defence coach: Hansen ---------> Blake
Team Manager: Cornwall ---------------> Jo
Academy Manager: Wilks ---------------> McCarthy
Head of Medical: Hollis -----------------> Hayton

Further changes:
Ged Glynn appointed to a new role of Head of Academy development.

Player Changes
Hooker: Bateman -----------------------> Briggs
Prop: Parr -------------------------------> Bristow
Lock: Fitzgerald -------------------------> Parling
Lock: Williams --------------------------> Thorn
Lock: Barrow ----------------------------> Deacon
Backrow: McCaffrey --------------------> Gibson
Backrow: O'Connor ---------------------> Salvi
Backrow: Fonua ------------------------> Barbieri
Scrum Half: Kitto ----------------------> Mele
Back 3: Betham ------------------------> Scully

Players leaving who haven't been replaced as of yet:
Lock: Price
Lock: Peterson
Lock: Whetton
Centre: Hepetema
Centre: Pohe
Centre: Allen
Back 3: Hamilton

TBH the only one that i think needs to be replaced from outside is Allen.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think we have to decide on what we're doing with Tait. If he's staying in the midfield then we have five centres in Bai, Manu, Loamano, Tait and Catchpole who we could confidently start in an AP game knowing they'd do a job with Roberts and Bryant who are capable understudies. That could leave us short at 15 though.

If Tait is staying at 15 then we have Morris and Betham as cover alongside him and we're safe. Does leave us with three experienced and three up and coming centres so maybe an additional steady hand on a short term deal might help.

Having Tait shuttling between the two positions as cover is dangerous in my opinion as an injury to him and we are only one other injury away from looking a little short in two positions. Especially at the start of the season. Loamano's ability to play 12 and 13 certainly helps us though.

[Welly]

Bell as well @15

[formerly known as Sam]

Good point I keep forgetting Bell. He's been a handy signing. Maybe we don't need another signing then, well unless Mauger wants a creative 12.

[broadlandboy]

Would Mauger prefer to work with Bryant as a creative 12 (mould to what he wants) rather than bring someone in.
IMHO unless a marque type 12 can see us going with what we have.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd prefer that option. Bryant has got the makings of a very good inside centre, probably not a fly half. Mauger helped a lot with the development of Twelvetrees so let's hope he does similar with Bryant.

[formerly known as Sam]

No release agreed for Kitto and O'Connor from their ITM cup teams. With Kitto that's not quite so vital but we desperately need O'Connor over ASAP. Could this be the administrative bungle that hinders the start of our season ?

[Welly]

Don't know still something like 3 months till start of season.

We have a good rep with the ITM teams.

McCaffrey will start at 7 I guess ATM.

Leicester would will have a plan B on this.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'm sure we have a plan B but given how excellent Salvi was we need his successor in situ and ready for the season otherwise he's going to struggle to get up to speed and we're going to lack bite at the breakdown.

[Welly]

At least ITM is off decent standard.

Shame if can't train with team but I think 7 can a position where you can slot straight in, Scrum half is a different matter but Harrison should be starting anyway.

[formerly known as Sam]

Lineout, defensive positioning and attacking interplay are all aspects that can't be learnt on the fly and incorporated at short notice but are areas we'd expect him to perform.

Kitto as you say will be third choice and it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to give Tresidder some game time in the kings of the north.

[Welly]

TBh Tresidder getting game time in kings of the north and Kitto getting game time in ITM could work out well.

I get that points although if he fills the salvi at first he prob won't be in the line out to much. The 2 locks and either Williams or Croft is enough IMO and crane jumps.

Although he is a lineout jumper for the blues so that is handy.

Attacking interplay For a loose forward IMo doesn't require much time (unless you are filling a croft role).

Defensive positioning O'Connor did train under Hansen and Mauger at one point so should have a rough idea of what they want.

It's not perfect but isn't a major blow IMO.

[Welly]

Camacho starting against a very Strong Aus back line.

Hopefully he will be staying if all goes well.

[king_carlos]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Injury-ravaged-Croft-set-Tigers-return/story-27466014-detail/story.html

Interesting Mercury article in which Cockerill states that Croft is participating in all parts of pre-season and should be fit for the first game of the season.

He also mentions that Williams and Benjamin are progressing well with their rehab.

Niall Morris is yet to get 'metalwork' out of his ankle and won't start rehab until after that so things aren't looking as positive there. Not having him for the start of season is as many expected however.

[formerly known as Sam]

I doubt we'll see Morris before Christmas. That was a nasty injury he picked up.

The concern is Manu isn't 100% yet and had five weeks rest before coming back in to training. We need him back.

[king_carlos]

The main concern with Manu seems to be that the medical staff still aren't 100% certain what the problem with his groin is.

I'm no doctor so am speaking as usual from a position of complete ignorance! From what I've gathered however it seems that no one is certain what the cause of the issue has been or how to best fix it. Which given he's now been out of action for 8 months and must have undergone a ridiculous number of scans and check-ups etc isn't a good sign.

We especially need him back if Morris and Williams are also going to miss the start of the season given that we then need Bell covering 10 again which means Tait will likely start at full back rather than centre.

9.Harrison
10.Burns
11.Betham
12.Bai or Roberts
13.Loamanu or Catchpole
14.Thompstone or Goneva
15.Tait

[formerly known as Sam]

I've heard that it's a similar problem to what Taity had which we know seems to take forever to heal as any sprinting or change of direction puts a lot of pressure on the muscle and any small pull can quickly put you straight back to square one. They are the muscles that take serious load when stepping at pace.

[Welly]

Could maybe see a backline of:

9) Harrison
10) Williams/Burns
11) Thompstone
12) Bai
13) Tait
14) Goneva
15) Betham

21) Tresidder
22) Burns/Bell
23) Benjamin/Loamanu/Catchpole

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd expect to see;

9. Harrison
10. Burns
11. Betham
12. Bai
13. Loamano/Smith
14. Thompstone
15. Tait

Bench - Tresidder, Williams, Catchpole

Depending on whether Loamano goes to the RWC with Japan or not. The RWC guys will be a little tired and need to learn the new backs game under Mauger. I think Williams will take some time to recover as those knee injuries are niggly for a while even when back to fitness.

[king_carlos]

If it is a case that it's similar to Tait then at least the medical staff will have bit of a blueprint to follow in getting him back on the field I guess.

Is Bai training with Tigers at the moment?

He's listed as a reserve for Fiji's PNC squad.

I was also interested to read on the Mercury that there was a release fee paid for Fitzgerald to get him before the ITM cup but not for O'Connor.

Betham and Fitzgerald are due to arrive this week I believe.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think they'd like to pay a fee and get O'Connor over here but his ITM teams aren't as keen to release. Which to be fair you can understand as we pinched Mulipola off them a couple of years back and are now pinching a player who was the player of the year for the Auckland Blues this season.

[Welly]

Betham arrived last week.

[Welly]

Mauger stating that he thinks we don't need a marquee signing ATM.

Stating in particular that Roberts has been impressive.

TBh I'm happy with that Mauger should be at his element at 12.

Also mentions that a marquee type player could be anywhere in the back line and has to fit the club. Also anything can happen after the World Cup in terms of signings.

Which to me is music to by ears.

All 3 championship players have proved to be excellent pick ups IMO.

Mauger so far has said all the right things IMO.

[nathan]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-set-multi-million-pound-cash/story-27558867-detail/story.html

Sounds interesting

[formerly known as Sam]

It's important he's not allowed to increase his shareholding beyond that point but the funding is welcome and will save us an awful lot of money on the stadium development loans.

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