Leicester Tigers 2016/17 thread.

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

2016/17:
Director of Rugby: Richard Cockerill
Head Coach: Aaron Mauger
Assistant Backs Coach: Geordan Murphy
Assistant Forward Coach: Richard Blaze
Defence and Scrum Half Coach: Scott Hansen
Head of Rugby Operations: Ged Glynn
Team manager: Matt Cornwall

2016/17 Senior Squad: (Confirmed So Far) (Blue = EQP)
Hookers: Bateman, McGuigan, Thacker, Youngs
Props: Ayerza, Balmain, Brugnara Cilliers, Cole, Genge, Mulipola, Rizzo
Locks: Barrow, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Slater
Back Row: Croft, Fonua, Hamilton McCaffrey, O'Connor, Williams
Scrum Half: Harrison, Kitto, Youngs
Fly Half: Burns, Williams
Centre: Catchpole, Roberts, Smith, Toomua, Tuilagi
Back 3: Betham, Brady, Pieterson, Tait, Thompstone, Veainu
Squad number: 37, EQP: 24, Academy products: 8

Transfers
IN: (7)
McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons), Cilliers (Montpelier), Genge (Bristol), Hamilton (Agen), Toomua (ACT Brumbies). JP Pieterson (Sharks), Brady (Sale)

OUT: (12)
Ghiraldini (Toulouse), Pasquali (Treviso), De Chaves (London Irish), Crane (Bristol), Pearce (Sale), Bell (London Irish), Baikeinuku (retirement), De Villiers (Retirement), Benjamin (retirement), Morris (N/A), Camacho (N/A), Goneva (Newcastle Falcons)

Not Sure: (No official confirmation of leaving or Staying) 3
Aguero, Sio Loamanu,

Rumours:
Harry Wells (Bedford) Lock/6

2016/17 Development Squad: (15)
Bryant, Evans, Hills, Lewis, Mahoney, Maksymiw, J.Olowofela, R. Olowofela, Owen, Simmons, Thacker, Tuilagi, White, Worth, Yawayawa

Transfer
IN: (7)
Lewis, Mahoney, J.Olowofela, R. Olowofela, Simmons, White, Yawayawa

OUT: 11
Odogwu (sale), Beckett (Glous), Povoas (Coventry), Tresidder (Rotherham Titans), Douglas, Farnworth, Galletly, Hogan, Murrin, Nairn, Priestley-Nangle.


Academy
Academy Head Coach/forwards Coach: Brett Deacon
Academy Backs Coach: Anthony Allen

[LondonTiger]

25 minutes in and already 3 tries to nil down.

Yet I feel nothing at all, it's just so standard to be in this position now that it doesn't elicit any emotion from me. I know it's only an LV cup game but 3 years ago I'd have been desperately drowning my sorrows after the second try.

Edit: Really enjoyable second half though, even if the comeback ultimately falls short.

Pretty much mirrored my feelings.

[Geordie]

Hows Big Dom doing?

[LondonTiger]

Hows Big Dom doing?

Sam will disagree with me, but I feel he has been our best second row since joining. I feel we really missed him when he was concussed and he is coming back nicely. Captaining the side yesterday seemd to give him added oomph.

[Geordie]

Ive said all along he's a cracker. He just had too many injury issues with us, that stopped him getting the regular gametime he needed. This combined with it being our strongest area, it wasn't difficult to see him moving on.

If you have them under control and he can just get a run of games going, he could be pushing for England...he's that good. And he has that massive physical presence aswell!

[LondonTiger]

I do worry about his effectiveness at the line-out, though he has stolen a few oppo throws in his time.

[Geordie]

Just get Croft back...problem solved

[LondonTiger]

Just get Croft back...problem solved

He had a very good game yesterday, though the inexperience and naivety of some of the Saracen's pack has to be mentioned to qualify that.

[formerly known as Sam]

Hows Big Dom doing?

Sam will disagree with me, but I feel he has been our best second row since joining. I feel we really missed him when he was concussed and he is coming back nicely. Captaining the side yesterday seemd to give him added oomph.

Once he stopped giving away dim penalties I became a fan. Had a blip in the Racing semi final but other than that fits in well and I'd happily keep him movie forward.

[formerly known as Sam]

Just watching the game back. Lot of positives from that. In the second half once Burns stopped playing like it was a social sevens game we looked alright. Young guys worked hard and did well. Defence and ruck work looked more aggressive and once we started playing direct with some good field position we threatened.

McGuigan still needs to work on his lineout throws as he was really good other than two or three brain fart throws.

[king_carlos]

Ayerza out for 10-12 weeks because of a nerve problem in his back. A big blow for the squad and Marcos. That will be his season you'd imagine, give him a proper pre-season and have him raring to go in September. He wasn't at his best prior to injury this season but he still has a couple of seasons in him, especially rotating with a guy like Genge.

JPP and TV won't be available for the Gloucs game according to the Merc. Genge and Mike Williams have been released though.

[Welly]

Could see Marcos retiring.

[formerly known as Sam]

Would be a huge blow for Ayerza to retire. I imagine that every Tigers fan would also hope he doesn't retire under these circumstances and that we get the chance to applaud him from the field on his final game. Hopefully he can come back and slide into a Julian White roll but with some coaching of the academy etc involved.

[formerly known as Sam]

Rizzo, Youngs, Cilliers 
Slater, Barrow 
Fitzgerald, Hamilton, O'Connor 
Kitto, Burns 
Smith, Roberts 
Thompstone, Tait, Brady

Bench: McGuigan, Genge, Bateman, Williams, Thacker, Harrison, Williams, Mermoz.

Fitzgerald at 6  . Not sure about Kitto at 9 and how Tait is still starting over Worth I have no idea.

[lostinwales]

Rizzo, Youngs, Cilliers 
Slater, Barrow 
Fitzgerald, Hamilton, O'Connor 
Kitto, Burns 
Smith, Roberts 
Thompstone, Tait, Brady

Bench: McGuigan, Genge, Bateman, Williams, Thacker, Harrison, Williams, Mermoz.

Fitzgerald at 6  . Not sure about Kitto at 9 and how Tait is still starting over Worth I have no idea.

Thacker now getting a run as a back row ? (even if starting on the bench)

[formerly known as Sam]

Started there last week and Evans the young openside is currently injured.

[formerly known as Sam]

Gloucester Rugby: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Charlie Sharples, 13 Andy Symons, 12 Billy Twelvetrees, 11 Henry Purdy; 10 Billy Burns, 9 Willi Heinz (c); 1 Josh Hohneck, 2 Richard Hibbard, 3 John Afoa; 4 Tom Savage, 5 Jeremy Thrush; 6 Lewis Ludlow, 7 Jacob Rowan, 8 Sione Kalamafoni
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Yann Thomas, 18 Salesi Ma'afu, 19 Mariano Galarza, 20 Matt Kvesic, 21 Callum Braley, 22 James Hook, 23 Matt Scott

[carpet baboon]

How strong is the rumour your end that your signing Conan from Leinster?

[formerly known as Sam]

How strong is the rumour your end that your signing Conan from Leinster?

Not as strong as I'd like it to be. He's been linked and that's sadly it. I'm hoping for the rumours to increase as we're definitely in the market for muscle in the backrow with Kalamafoni the Tongan no 8 at Glaws joining in the summer (and playing against us this weekend).

[king_carlos]

Rizzo, Youngs, Cilliers 
Slater, Barrow 
Fitzgerald, Hamilton, O'Connor 
Kitto, Burns 
Smith, Roberts 
Thompstone, Tait, Brady

Bench: McGuigan, Genge, Bateman, Williams, Thacker, Harrison, Williams, Mermoz.

Fitzgerald at 6  . Not sure about Kitto at 9 and how Tait is still starting over Worth I have no idea.

Good side.

Genge and Mike Williams were away for most the week so reasonable to start them from the bench.

Hamilton has been growing performance by performance and deserves to stay in the side. He always puts in a big defensive shift and carries better than I expected him to when he arrived.

Shazam should be starting though. When I see him benched for Kitto it does make me worry that he'll be off at the end of the season, would be a huge loss to the club.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd hope Harrison is under contract for next season. Proper Leicester lad that loves the club and covers 9 and 10. He's like Smith in that he wouldn't even think about putting his body on the line for the club he does it every game he plays. If he goes then the management will have some annoyed fans on their hands.

I'd have liked to see Croft at 6, he played well in the LV and the Glaws lineout is there to be targeted.

[king_carlos]

If I'm right in thinking he re-signed in 2015 then it depends whether he's on a 2 or 3 year deal. I hope he's in contract but if he isn't then others will be circling. His service is some of the best in the Prem, as is his consistency. He'd be huge loss. I'd really like to see Harrison and Ford in partnership if possible.

Crofty is being eased back. He played very well in the LV but Prem is a step up in intensity. I wouldn't be surprised if is back in the 23 for Bristol after a week off.

Is Kitch injured at the moment?

[formerly known as Sam]

I asume Kitch has a niggling problem. I'd be surprised if he was left out for three or four weeks otherwise. Good point on Crofty he has been out for a while so a week off is probably a good idea. I know Mauger had him doing extra training because he was keen to get him back match fit.

Agree completely on Harrison.

[Guest]

Fitzgerald at 6  .

Puzzled by this aswell. Last season's downturn coincided with the forced move of Fitz to 6 and it's been more of the same this season. With Croft and Williams both available it's infuriating to see Mauger stick with something that has so clearly been a problem.

[formerly known as Sam]

I very much dislike the three locks tactic Fuzzy. If Williams is at 6 we can get away with it because he's so mobile. Doesn't work with Fitz or Slater there. We try to play with width having on one flanker and the 8 trying to do the work of a full backrow and wonder why our rucks are under resourced and we get picked off in defence.

[king_carlos]

Huge game today. Lose and we'll be sitting 8th. Very glad that it's a Saturday 3pm KO.

Key match-ups for me:

Kitto vs Heinz - I'm expecting a lot of scrappy ball and how the 9s clean it up will dictate how open the game gets. Especially given how much better both Burns usually play going forward, as with most 10s. Scrum half is a match-up that worries me given how much better Heinz has played in the Prem with his experience.

Front row - Tigers front row has been inconsistent all season. The Gloucs unit of Hohneck/Hibbard/Afoa is excellent on paper but hasn't performed to their pedigree as often as Shed Heads would like.

Both benches are strong.

It should be a good game.

[Welly]

Front row has been good IMO in recent times, Stanko certainly has helped.

[formerly known as Sam]

We do look pretty solid in the scrum at the moment. A really nice return to form from the start of the season when even our first choice options seemed the struggle, those were concerning times. The scrum started to improve just before Cockers left and has continued to improve after. Be a tough challenge against a good Glaws front three.

[nathan]

Going in at half time in the lead. Not used to this..

[formerly known as Sam]

TBP win. Nothing for Glaws. Very nice.

[Welly]

Kitto was excellent he needs to learn how to box kick though but was excellent.

Barrow has a huge work rate.

[LondonTiger]

If anyone can see highlights, look for the line run by Roberts in the build up to the first try.

[nathan]

it was a great run, really impressed with him.

[Welly]

Shame he is off to Cardiff

[formerly known as Sam]

Would be a shame to see him go. Bit of an odd one as he's not anymore likely to be first choice there (Lee-lo, Allen and Hallahallo the incumbents) and isn't likely to be on the international radar.

[nathan]

Shame he is off to Cardiff

Seriously?


Just watching the game back, can't believe Mafi wasn't given a yellow for his high tackle and then holding the player on the floor.

[king_carlos]

Shame he is off to Cardiff

Seriously?

It's been rumoured for a while that he had an offer from a region. Around the New Year Cardiff as the region came out.

A few fans seem pretty convinced it's a done deal.

It'd be a shame. He's been really good this season, improved his defence and handling massively since he arrived.

[LondonTiger]

Shame he is off to Cardiff

Seriously?


Just watching the game back, can't believe Mafi wasn't given a yellow for his high tackle and then holding the player on the floor.

High, no are tackle. Holds the player down, then punches him. iirc

[Welly]

He IS off.

Mermoz also ISN'T staying.

[formerly known as Sam]

We promoting from within or signing someone else? Be a shame not to hold on to Mermoz he's a good quality player. I suppose a utility back who can play centre and fullback is probably the best redistribution of Tait's wages.

[king_carlos]

12.Toomua, Smith
13.Manu, Betham

If true the centres are backs at that for next season.

[king_carlos]

If Brizz go down then Jason Woodward would be a good bit of business.

As would Will Hurrell.

[Welly]

Rizzo is having a bit of a Indian  summer isn't he. Destroyed Afoa in the scrum and a decent ball carrier.

[LondonTiger]

Aye, Rizzo was a real positive.

It was a strange game though, with a very subdued crowd, and a Gloucester team that created a lot of chances but would then make horrendous mistakes.

[Welly]

Kitto staying which is goodIMo he is progressing well IMO needs to work on his kicking but he is bossy and is dangerous around the edges.

[LondonTiger]

When Kitto is looking to move and play the ball quickly he is very good. At times though this season he has lokked as if he is trying to impersonate Lee Dickson. Have to say after the weekend I cannot decide if he is left or right footed.

[formerly known as Sam]

Bateman joins Kitto in penning a new deal. Good utility option in the front row.

[HongKongCherry]

You lot are just a discourteous rabble. We provide you absolutely no opposition and you offer not a single word of thanks.

I'm sure you enjoyed that game, I certainly didn't. Our first choice front 5 were utterly put to shame. The only saving grace was that Owen Williams looked good, but then a blind, one-legged monkey would have looked good with the arm chair ride he was given by your pack. Good luck for the rest of the season

[LondonTiger]

You lot are just a discourteous rabble.  We provide you absolutely no opposition and you offer not a single word of thanks.

I did appreciate the way that every time we messed up and ceded any advantage, your boys would then mess up too.



Back to new contracts - Mike Fitzgerald stays. All we need is Matty Tait to sin a new contract and we may see Sam's head explode

[Welly]

Fitzgerald a good player.

Barrow for me is the future though definitely a bit of Johnson about him.

[LondonTiger]

And now BOC.

But what about Harry?

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