Leicester Tigers 18-19

by **LondonTiger** Wed 11 Jul 2018, 11:53 am

First topic message reminder :

Fixtures

Pre-Season

Saturday 11th August - Cardiff Blues (a)
Friday 17th August - Benetton Treviso (a)
Friday 24th August - London Irish (h)

Gallagher Premiership

SEPTEMBER
Saturday 1st 16:30 Exeter Chiefs (a)
Saturday 8th 15:00 Newcastle Falcons (h)
Sunday 16th 15:00 Wasps (a)
Sunday 23rd 15:00 Worcester Warriors (h)
Sunday 30th 15:00 Sale Sharks (h)

OCTOBER
Saturday 6th 15:00 Northampton Saints (a - Twickenham)

NOVEMBER
Friday 16th 19:45 Gloucester (a)
Sunday 25th 15:00 Saracens (h)
Friday 30th 19:45 Bristol (a)

DECEMBER
21/22/23 Harlequins (H)
28/29/30 Bath (A)

JANUARY
4/5/6 Gloucester (H)

FEBRUARY
15/16/17 Saracens (A)
22/23/24 Worcester Warriors (A)

MARCH
1/2/3 Wasps (H)
8/9/10 Sale Sharks (A)
22/23/24 Northampton Saints (H)

APRIL
5/6/7 Exeter Chiefs (H)
12/13/14 Newcastle Falcons (A)
26/27/28 Bristol (H)

MAY
3/4/5 Harlequins (A)
18 Bath (H)
24/25 Semi

JUNE
1st Final

European Champions Cup
12/13/14 October - Round 1
19/20/21 October - Round 2
7/8/9 December - Round 3
14/15/16 December - Round 4
11/12/13 January - Round 5
18/19/20 January - Round 6
29/30/31 March - 1/4 Finals
19/20/21 April - Semis
11th May - Final

Premiership Rugby Cup

Saturday October 27th 15:00 Saracens (a)
Saturday November 3rd 15:00 Worcester Warriors(h)
Friday November 19th 19:45 Sale Sharks
January 25/26/27 Northampton (a)
February 9th Semi-finals
March 16th Final

Squad and Coaching Team:

Head Coach: Matt O'Connor
Forwards Coach: Mark Bakewell
Assistant Coach: Geordan Murphy
Scrum Coach: Boris Stankovich
Senior Development coach: Brett Deacon
Team Manager: Teresa Carrington
Head of Rugby Operations: Ged Glyn

First Team Squad:
(as on Tigers website)

Props: Greg Bateman, Dan Cole, Gaston Cortes, Ellis Genge, Facundo Gigena, Owen Hills
Hookers: Jake Kerr, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Jimmmy Stevens, Tom Youngs
Second Row: Mike Fitzgerald, Graham Kitchener, Will Spencer, James Voss, Harry Wells
Back Row: Dave Denton, Will Evans, Sione Kalamafoni, Valention Mapapalangi, Brendon O'Connor, Guy Thompson, Fred Tuilagi, Mike Williams

Half Backs: Joe Ford, George Ford, Sam Harrison, Matt Toomua, Ben Youngs
Outside Backs: Jonah Holmes, Jonny May, Gareth Owen, Matt Smith, Matthew Tait, Charlie Thacker, Adam Thompstone, Manu Tuilagi, Telusa Veainu, George Worth

Development Squad:

Forwards: Taylor Gough, Sam Grahamslaw, Joe Heyes, Cameron Jordan, Henri Lavin, Sam Lewis, Keston Lines, Harry Mahoney, Tommy Reffell, Thom Smith
Backs: Sam Aspland-Robinson, Tom Hardwicke, Jordan Olowefela, Harry Simmons, Ben White

by formerly known as Sam Thu 20 Jun 2019, 6:53 pm

mikey_dragon wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Better than Anscombe and Patchell? Cardiff don't have much on paper to worry Tigers but they play well as a side which currently Tigers do not.

Certainly Patchell right now who has been struggling to return to form. Anscombe is a solid and confident player now, but has less pace and is less skillful than Evans. There was a reason that when both are available Evans would be favoured at 10. That may divide opinion, but it’s pretty clear to me.

Cardiff’s backline should worry you.

Cardiff are a very fluent side, particularly in the backline but when we should be naming an all international backline of;

9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Reid
13. Manu
14. Holmes
15. Vienau

We should be capable of getting the job done. This year the back up options should be fairly decent as well the only issue is if George Ford picks up an injury as the options are moving Reid to 10 or using the youngsters Hardwick (20) or Costelow (18).

by formerly known as Sam Thu 20 Jun 2019, 6:54 pm

Gooseberry wrote:It says a lot about Tigers fall that we are asking if they are capable of winning the group in the "everyone deserves a chance" cup.

After last season I'm unsure we'd beat Hinckley Colts let alone another professional team. Squad should be a lot better and there should be some fresh coaching blood as well so hoping for much better things.

by mikey_dragon Thu 20 Jun 2019, 7:10 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Better than Anscombe and Patchell? Cardiff don't have much on paper to worry Tigers but they play well as a side which currently Tigers do not.

Certainly Patchell right now who has been struggling to return to form. Anscombe is a solid and confident player now, but has less pace and is less skillful than Evans. There was a reason that when both are available Evans would be favoured at 10. That may divide opinion, but it’s pretty clear to me.

Cardiff’s backline should worry you.

Cardiff are a very fluent side, particularly in the backline but when we should be naming an all international backline of;

9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Reid
13. Manu
14. Holmes
15. Vienau

We should be capable of getting the job done. This year the back up options should be fairly decent as well the only issue is if George Ford picks up an injury as the options are moving Reid to 10 or using the youngsters Hardwick (20) or Costelow (18).

Pretty good, I didn’t know what your backline could be off the top of my head. It’s all international for Cardiff too; except for Owen Lane who is probably soon to be capped, and Halaholo who is waiting on residency after declaring his intentions to play for Wales - he’ll get capped for sure.

9. Tomos Williams
10. Evans
11. Adams
12. Halaholo
13. Lee-Lo
14. Lane
15. Amos

Matthew Morgan can slot into 10 or 15 with Amos moving to wing if needs be. Back up centre from the academy Millard is also very promising. Apart from their back-row is another great strength.

Tigers’ team looks too good to be struggling, they should be a top 6 team next year.

by maestegmafia Thu 20 Jun 2019, 10:51 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:
mikey_dragon wrote:
formerly known as Sam wrote:Better than Anscombe and Patchell? Cardiff don't have much on paper to worry Tigers but they play well as a side which currently Tigers do not.

Certainly Patchell right now who has been struggling to return to form. Anscombe is a solid and confident player now, but has less pace and is less skillful than Evans. There was a reason that when both are available Evans would be favoured at 10. That may divide opinion, but it’s pretty clear to me.

Cardiff’s backline should worry you.

Cardiff are a very fluent side, particularly in the backline but when we should be naming an all international backline of;

9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Reid
13. Manu
14. Holmes
15. Vienau

We should be capable of getting the job done. This year the back up options should be fairly decent as well the only issue is if George Ford picks up an injury as the options are moving Reid to 10 or using the youngsters Hardwick (20) or Costelow (18).

I think Costello got injured vs the ABs at the JRWC

by formerly known as Sam Fri 21 Jun 2019, 8:13 am

Tigers were to good to struggle this season but we were paying the price of poor management over the last decade.

Costelow has got a broken jaw. It'll be 6 to 8 weeks recovery and after a months holiday he'll be able to come back and do some fitness.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 21 Jun 2019, 5:04 pm

So, new deal for Hayes plus signing of Johnny McPhillips a 22 year old 10/12 from Ulster and the 23 year old Joe Thomas a centre who while Welsh has been playing in NZ.

Both played in the 2016 JWC for Ireland and Wales respectively. McPhillips, born in Newcastle, also appeared for England at U18 and is EQP.

No idea if they are any good, but for me better bringing in young guys than the older journeymen we have recruited in the past.

by carpet baboon Fri 21 Jun 2019, 5:11 pm

McPhillips is a very good distributor, and when given a run of games looks handy, but this season he clearly wasn't rated by McFarland and got very little time at 10.
Personally I think hes a good signing

by maestegmafia Fri 21 Jun 2019, 7:12 pm

LondonTiger wrote:23 year old Joe Thomas a centre who while Welsh has been playing in NZ.

Joe has only been in Hamilton for three months with Otorohanga RFC. Good player though. I’m not surprised that a good club picked him up. He did well at the Ospreys and was most likely just caught out by the new pay structure imposed on regional rugby.

I hope he gets a few chances at Tigers, everyone at Ospreys are sad to see him leave.

by formerly known as Sam Fri 21 Jun 2019, 8:17 pm

Heyes new contract is essential, 20 year old tighthead should not be as technical as him. He could develop into one hell of a player.

The other two are just punts. We need cover at 10, centre and 15 so they make sense. We have development players coming through at 10 and 15 but not at centre.

by king_carlos Sun 23 Jun 2019, 11:23 pm

Happy with McPhillips, he's a step up on Joe Ford and has more potential to improve.

Joe Thomas is a punt but he adds depth and if he comes off could be a shrewd signing. Won't cost much either.

9.Youngs, Harrison, White, Simmons
10.Ford, Hardwick, McPhillips
11.May, Olowofela
12.Reid, Eastmond, Thomas
13.Tuilagi, Taute, Viljeon
14.Holmes, Thompstone, Aspland-Robinson
15.Veainu, Worth

Plus Costelow and Steward who could realistically get game time as cover from the development squad.

The versatility of several players there gives good options. McPhillips can cover 15 so it will be interesting to see if another back three player will be signed.

I'm really looking forward to the PRC games starting off the season for a change. I think that all sides having players at the RWC and new signings to blood will lead to a good mix of youngsters with more experienced players.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 24 Jun 2019, 8:08 am

I don't think we'll see another back three signing. I think Murphy and the board are looking at the academy lads coming into the development team and are thinking that one or more of these lads can do a job plus EW Vijion can drop back if required. In the development squad we'll have an England under 18s wing and fullback and a Welsh under 18s wing.

Looks like we are looking at having playmaking 15s again, TV, Worth and McPhillips all listed as options and all capable of creating something.

by **LondonTiger** Tue 02 Jul 2019, 10:03 am

J

ordan Coghlan has agreed a move to Leicester Tigers from Championship side Nottingham Rugby ahead of the 2019/20 season.

The Irish born back-rower has spent the past three seasons with the green and whites after stints with both Leinster and Munster.

Born in Dublin, Coghlan was drafted in to Leinster’s academy at 16 and made his senior debut in 2012 at just 20 years of age.

While with Leinster, he represented Ireland Under-20s and was a two-time winner of the British and Irish Cup.

In 2015, Coghlan moved to Limerick to join Munster and went on to make 8 appearances in just one season with the two-time European competition winners.

Coghlan joined Nottingham ahead of the 2016/17 season and has since made more than 60 appearances for the Midlands club.

Speaking about Coghlan’s arrival, Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said: “Jordan is a physical, athletic and experienced player who we are looking forward to welcoming in to the club.”

“His junior career speaks for itself and achievements back home in Ireland as a young man have served him well in his career.

“He is an exciting talent and he has earned his spot with impressive showings for Nottingham over recent seasons.”

Coghlan added: “This is Leicester Tigers - the most successful club in English history. For me, to be part of that is a huge honour.”

“Geordan [Murphy] is working hard to build something special here in Leicester and get Tigers back to the top flight of the Prem, where they belong, and I’m happy to be a part of that.

“I’m just looking forward to getting stuck in.

“I’ve met the squad and coaches, who have all been amazing and really welcomed me in to the club. There is a lot of talent in this squad and great people around, so I’m really excited to be a part of it and contribute to the club.”

Coghlan’s signature makes the 26-year-old the tenth signing of the summer for the club ahead of the 2019/20 season which kicks off in September with Premiership Rugby Cup before the Gallagher Premiership gets underway in October.

Two thoughts:

1) Who?
2) Shows how far we have fallen that this the kind of player we recruit.

by **LondonTiger** Tue 02 Jul 2019, 10:33 am

Viljoen now confirmed.

by **LondonTiger** Tue 02 Jul 2019, 11:00 am

And now Liebenberg.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 02 Jul 2019, 11:26 am

Also Coghlan. As expected but nice to see them confirmed. I wonder if we will get another surprise signing at half past.

by king_carlos Tue 02 Jul 2019, 3:22 pm

I'm really happy with Coghlan signing. He's got pace to burn, good link man and won't cost much. His Championship credentials and reputation are comparable to Guy Thompson before Wasps picked him up.

I'm happy with the increase in pace across the back row. Just a shame that Will Evans has moved on.

Liebenberg is a top signing. The guy is a unit and a leader at only 23. Being able to rotate him and Kalamafoni is a completely different prospect to last season. Especially with Taufua coming in as well.

by Gooseberry Tue 02 Jul 2019, 3:36 pm

LondonTiger wrote:

2) Shows how far we have fallen that this the kind of player we recruit.

As opposed to a 33 year old division 2 french side player? (albeit the premierships top try scorer in a former life)

by **LondonTiger** Tue 02 Jul 2019, 3:57 pm

Yeah well, I am ignoring the dalliance with Varndell last season. Must admit I chose the right season to relinquish my season ticket for the first time in over 20 years.

by king_carlos Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:00 pm

Gooseberry wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:

2) Shows how far we have fallen that this the kind of player we recruit.

As opposed to a 33 year old division 2 french side player? (albeit the premierships top try scorer in a former life)

Whilst I agree completely with the observation of Varndell not being an inspiring signing your occasional posts on the Tigers thread make me wonder whether you're like Victor Meldrew from One Foot in the Grave in real life, Goose. Whistle

Your ability to make simultaneously accurate yet unremittingly negative observations about all sporting matters makes me wonder how exhausting being a sporting fan must be for you! I try to take a positive view when supporting sports teams, even then it's often exasperatingly frustrating to watch the sides I support. Especially Tigers of late.

I can't imagine how tiring it must be to follow so much sport whilst being seemingly unable to just sometimes think, "oh that's OK".

by **LondonTiger** Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:09 pm

I don't belieeeeeeeeve it!

by **LondonTiger** Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:11 pm

Anyway if you want pessimism try going to games with my dad. I am sure that Victor was moulded on him, and the trips to WR are just a heap of fun and laughter.

Some people view a glass as half empty, some half full. My dad looks at it and wants to know who pissed in it.

by king_carlos Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:15 pm

A good friend who I go to Edinburgh games with these days has a dad who's like that. Long time Edinburgh season ticket holder who goes to every game with his son I'm good friends with. He's a very knowledgeable rugby man but I really do question whether his continued viewing of rugby is masochistic at this stage.

One of the best thing to come out of Billy Mata being at Edinburgh is finally seeing a player grace Murrayfield who he's yet to find severe fault with!

by bluestonevedder Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:28 pm

king_carlos wrote:I'm really happy with Coghlan signing. He's got pace to burn, good link man and won't cost much. His Championship credentials and reputation are comparable to Guy Thompson before Wasps picked him up.

I'm happy with the increase in pace across the back row. Just a shame that Will Evans has moved on.

Liebenberg is a top signing. The guy is a unit and a leader at only 23. Being able to rotate him and Kalamafoni is a completely different prospect to last season. Especially with Taufua coming in as well.

I'm incredibly excited by this signing. He's destructive all over the pitch.

6. Taufua
7. Thompson
8. Liebenberg

Looks like a decent starting backrow!

by Collapse2005 Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:41 pm

I see Leicester just got Jordan Coughlan from Northampton. He was a great player at schools level. Ripped it up for Clongowes.

One to watch for me.

by king_carlos Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:44 pm

bluestonevedder wrote:
king_carlos wrote:I'm really happy with Coghlan signing. He's got pace to burn, good link man and won't cost much. His Championship credentials and reputation are comparable to Guy Thompson before Wasps picked him up.

I'm happy with the increase in pace across the back row. Just a shame that Will Evans has moved on.

Liebenberg is a top signing. The guy is a unit and a leader at only 23. Being able to rotate him and Kalamafoni is a completely different prospect to last season. Especially with Taufua coming in as well.

I'm incredibly excited by this signing. He's destructive all over the pitch.

6. Taufua
7. Thompson
8. Liebenberg

Looks like a decent starting backrow!

1.Genge 2.Kerr 3.Cole 4.Lavanini 5.Spencer 6.Taufua 7.Thompson 8.Liebenberg
1.Bateman 2.Youngs 3.Heyes 4.Wells 5.Green 6.Denton/?? 7.Reffell 8.Kalamafoni

Those are two exciting packs to work with. I'm not saying the squad is now perfect or that I'm expecting an overnight transformation but I'm excited by the direction that recruitment has taken. Hopefully Jan McGinity can continue that improvement in his newly created role.

There are definite risks in the forward recruitment. Namely:

- Lavanini has had disciplinary issues to say the least
- Denton's situation is currently uncertain but doesn't look promising
- Youngs and Polota-Nau need to play more consistently to the level expected of their experience and salaries
- Taufua may well be a Samoa player if not selected by the ABs, hence potential international call-ups for a key player
- Whilst I'm delighted that Tommy Reffell seems lined up for a key squad role he is of course yet unproven at Prem level

I'm very happy with the squad being put together though. I really hope that more carriers across the pack see us get more out of TPN. His physicality should suit the direction being taken.

One addition I would like in the forwards is an experienced second row brought in whilst Jordan and Martin continue their development.

by St John The Enforcer Tue 02 Jul 2019, 4:44 pm

Wrong thread

by formerly known as Sam Tue 02 Jul 2019, 5:58 pm

Collapse2005 wrote:I see Leicester just got Jordan Coughlan from Northampton. He was a great player at schools level. Ripped it up for Clongowes.

One to watch for me.

Nottingham not Northampton. He seems to have built himself a good reputation playing in the Championship. None of the comments I've heard/seen from Notts fans are in the least bit surprised he's gone to a Premiership team. I suspect he'll be filling in at 7 until Reffell finds his feet and at 6 until Denton has fully recovered. If he's another Thompson I'll be delighted. We need mobile, physical players who just want to compete for everything. We were far too passive last season.

We seem to have got Lavanini at the right time, he's getting stellar right ups in Super Rugby this season. We certainly need some more nasty in the second row. I too think we'll see an experienced second row come in to act as a mentor to the young trio coming through or duo if Manz isn't retained.

by king_carlos Tue 02 Jul 2019, 6:24 pm

Cohen said on the Radio Leicester podcast that 11 U18 players are progressing to the development squad.

Whitecome, Martin, Eveliegh, Ashworth, Jack Van Poortvliet, Jonny Law, Joe Browning and Sam Costelow have been confirmed through various sources. Steward and Gulliand are both in the pre-season photos. Those add up to 10.

So one more to find out about. Manz may well be the 11th. Ronnie du Randt will have a good shot too. Apparently Pheonix is eyeing up a move to Sevens.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 02 Jul 2019, 7:02 pm

I suspect injuries have scuppered Phoenix chance of landing a development contract. Be interesting to see whether it's du Randy or Manz both were staples of the team last season. You'd assume du Randt is more likely given our lack of development options at 13.

by king_carlos Thu 04 Jul 2019, 11:58 am

Seems that we've signed Kyran Bungaroo from Biarritz. He's EQP, back three, 21 years old. Guessing he will come into the development squad the same as Aspland-Robinson did when he signed.

Also linked to Roelef Smit of the Bulls. Only way I can see there being cap for that is if Denton isn't expected to play this season sadly.

Scarlets have released Blommetjies and payed out the second year of his contract. Could be an affordable signing to round out back three depth.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 04 Jul 2019, 1:11 pm

Between the development signing and Blommetjies that would give us a lot of back three depth which to be honest we might need. With Owolofela missing the start of the season, Thompstone returning from a really nasty injury and May away in England duty for half the season. Two players capable of playing 15 will certainly help us as well.

The big Bok backrow Smit looks like he could be a good signing for not a lot of money. His style of play seems to be comparable to Louw which is would be very handy for us (another physical unit with a skillset that includes the ability to play openside). Injuries at inopportune times seem to have robbed him his chance of staking a claim internationally and building up a reputation which might help us acquire him on a reasonable salary. Him joining would certainly point towards Denton not being ready to return until at least 2020.

by **BigGee** Sat 06 Jul 2019, 6:15 pm

Speculation on the Glasgow Warriors forum that your LH academy prop, Sam Grahamslaw, who has played U20s for Scotland, is not included in your academy this year and may be heading north.

Any of you Leicester guys know if there is any truth in that?

He seems a pretty good prospect from what we saw of him in the juniors. Unfortunately he was injured for the JWC, we could have done with him.

Not clear where he would go if he does come, both Scottish sides are not exactly short of LHs for next season. Maybe it would be an academy place and the chance to prove himself in the new super 6 competition. We were tantalisingly told by Sean Lineen, that some good players were heading north to take their chances in the Scottish system.

by king_carlos Sun 07 Jul 2019, 1:45 am

I'd be sad to see Grahamslaw go but it seems he is. Glasgow or Edinburgh would make a lot of sense. He was a back rower who converted to loosehead and took to it very well.

As a Tigers fan who now lives in Scotland and follows Scottish club rugby I think Sam would do very well at either club.

I'd rate him a better prospect than George Thornton who Glasgow have signed for next season. Also think he's a better talent than Murray McCallum at Edinburgh. Ross Dunbar from Muir is a really exciting player in the Edinburgh academy so perhaps Warriors would make more sense, but then Cockers will know of Grahamslaw from Tigers.

The SRU must be in an odd position with looseheads. Schoeman and Kebble are very good players who may become available for Scotland selection in the future. McSchoeman in particular could be a top international at LH.

Some other Scottish looseheads I'm less sold on. Marfo had a promising start to his international career with that performance against the All Blacks in 2017. Since then I've seen him get folded in half at scrum time against Scottish Prem tightheads. Perhaps a player who didn't adapt to scum changes as well as others?

Alex Allan has come on immensely since his Accies days but I'd rate him a strong club player rather than a strong international. Similar with Rory Sutherland.

In Grahamslaw and Dunbar the SRU could have two LHs with the potential to push on further than a lot of SQP looseheads currently at Glasgow and Edinburgh.

When Jan McGinity was announced by Tigers I was expecting prospects to be heading the opposite way over the border though frankly.

by **LondonTiger** Sun 07 Jul 2019, 7:24 am

AFAIK he is too old for the academy and has not been promoted to the Development squad.

As he is currently studying at Loughborough, I assume he will stay there until he has completed his course.

by formerly known as Sam Sun 07 Jul 2019, 9:50 am

Tigers also have a large development squad for next season (two back to back undefeated academy campaigns) and aren't short of propping options in the senior squad. There was probably some tough choices about who to retain and who to let go. There's some good props coming into the last year of their academy contracts as well that may have effected the thinking as well.

by **BigGee** Sun 07 Jul 2019, 12:50 pm

It will be interesting to see if he pops up north of the border then.

Thanks for all the insights

by king_carlos Mon 08 Jul 2019, 11:13 am

LondonTiger wrote:AFAIK he is too old for the academy and has not been promoted to the Development squad.

As he is currently studying at Loughborough, I assume he will stay there until he has completed his course.

Grahamslaw was in the development squad last season. He's too old for the academy though, yes.

He came across as a really nice young man the couple of times I met him. I hope he does push on to international honours with Scotland if that's his long term ambition.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 08 Jul 2019, 11:52 am

David Mele returning as a coach, working with Academy and Development squads as well as with all half backs.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 08 Jul 2019, 7:55 pm

LondonTiger wrote:David Mele returning as a coach, working with Academy and Development squads as well as with all half backs.

Makes sense we've got two development scrum halfs and two scrum halfs just promoted from the development squad to the first team. Age grade flyhalf just promoted from the development squad and in the development squad. Plenty of mentoring for him to do as well as his academy work. Good signing, he always had very good skills so let's hope he can help develop those in the others.

I did wonder whether we might see his compatriot Dupuy as I think he's still out of work having left Stade.

by king_carlos Tue 09 Jul 2019, 3:10 pm

As Sam says, with a number of talented scrum-halves coming through a specialist coach makes sense. Simmons in particular I think could be something special at scrum-half.

Blommetjies has re-signed with the Cheetahs to quash rumours of a potential longer term move to Tigers.

9.Youngs, Harrison, White, Simmons
10.Ford, Hardwick, McPhillips + Costelow
11.May, Olowofela, Aspland-Robinson
12.Reid, Eastmond, Thomas
13.Tuilagi, Taute, Viljeon
14.Holmes, Thompstone + Browning
15.Veainu, Worth + Steward

I still wonder if another back three player is required for depth. May will miss a lot of rugby with international duty and Veainu needs rotating. The versatility of McPhillips and Taute covering 15, Hardwick covering 12, Viljeon covering wing along with Worth, Olowofela and Aspland-Robinson covering multiple positions means depth is there. I just worry about injuries hitting those starters. Guess that's what the injury dispensation cap is for though.

Thompstone could feel like a new signing this season as well. Particularly with the dispensation wingers signed last season having very mixed impacts.

by formerly known as Sam Tue 09 Jul 2019, 9:01 pm

There's Bungaroo (Biarritz, Full Back) to add to that list. 21 yo who is English and went to school down south, moved over to France for rugby. Supposed to have very quick feet and likes an offload. He will slot into the wing as well.

We missed Thompstone last season, very underrated defensive game, he makes a lot of cover tackles which would have been very handy last season.

by **LondonTiger** Fri 12 Jul 2019, 7:28 am

Bobo joining up with Canada for their summer internationals and WC.

by formerly known as Sam Sat 13 Jul 2019, 8:01 am

LondonTiger wrote:Bobo joining up with Canada for their summer internationals and WC.

Not surprising he's done such a good job on our set piece.

by **BigGee** Thu 25 Jul 2019, 3:42 pm

I nsee that DSam Grahamslaw has indeed signed with the Scottish academy. So he is going to try his luck north of the border.

Probably be aligned with Edinburgh, as I saw Glasgow announced their academy players and he was not in it.

Good luck to the lad.

by formerly known as Sam Thu 25 Jul 2019, 4:22 pm

BigGee wrote:I nsee that DSam Grahamslaw has indeed signed with the Scottish academy. So he is going to try his luck north of the border.

Probably be aligned with Edinburgh, as I saw Glasgow announced their academy players and he was not in it.

Good luck to the lad.

Yeah good luck to him. A little surprised we didn't retain him as there's been some positive noises about his development. There's been a lot of promotion from the academy to the development squad this summer though and there's only so much budget that can be given to development contracts. There's a queue of promising players still sat in the academy as well so it was one of several tough choices I think.

by **LondonTiger** Mon 05 Aug 2019, 1:02 pm

Taufua playing in the Mitre Cup I see. Means we will see him late and knackered.

by formerly known as Sam Mon 05 Aug 2019, 2:31 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Taufua playing in the Mitre Cup I see. Means we will see him late and knackered.

Was always going to be the case, he wants to remain eligible for an emergency call up for the ABs at the RWC. The Crusaders managed his work load so he should be pretty fresh, hopefully the Mitre doesn't take too much out of him and when he gets here in October/November he'll be match fit.

Opens up the opportunity of Coghlan or one of the development players sticking their hand up for selection during the PRC and early season though.

by TightHEAD Thu 15 Aug 2019, 10:38 am

Sad to hear about Steve Booth condolences to all.

by BamBam Thu 15 Aug 2019, 10:39 am

Wow, that's shocking news. So sad, but especially at such a young age

by formerly known as Sam Thu 15 Aug 2019, 12:23 pm

Very sad, 42 is no age at all. One of the few cross code players to play at Tigers and who arrived at the club at a time where if you weren't outstanding you weren't getting a look in.

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