Leicester Tigers 2020-21

First topic message reminder :

No Geordie, Boris or Taylor. Borthwick definitively the top man and fair few new signings.

Head coach - Borthwick
Defence coach - Ford
Head of physical performance - Walters
Backs/attack coach - Smith (interim)

1.Genge, Gigena, Leatigaga, Bower, Whitcombe
2.Youngs, Clare, Mamukashvili, Kerr
3.Cole, Heyes, de Bruin, Dimen
4.Lavanini, Enever, Martin
5.Green, Wells, Henderson, Chessum
6.Brink, Lewis, Lavin
7.Taufua, Reffell, Wallace, Coghlan
8.Liebenberg, Wiese, Smith

9.Youngs, Wigglesworth, White, van Poortvliet
10.Ford, Bonilla, Henry, McPhillips

11.Nadolo, Williams, Simmons, Aspland-Robinson
12.Scott, Taute, Hardwick
13.Moroni, Porter, Kelly
14.van Wyk, Potter, Olowofela, Browning
15.Steward, Murimurivalu, Worth

There's a fair few things I like about that squad. The pack in particular looks promising with some good signings and a few development squad players looking ready for first XV rugby. Liebenberg, Brink, Wiese and de Bruin is a lot of Bok muscle, the sort of thing that many of us have felt was missing.

In the centre there's a few players I'm less convinced by but Steward coming through in the back three could be great for this side. Not wanting to heap pressure on the lad but if we are going to persist with a kick heavy game plan then a fullback with his boot and presence under the high ball could be vital.

I'm increasingly struggling to see where a few of the backs fit into the squad. Hardwick, McPhillips, Worth and Olowofela in particular. Kelly seemed to be getting deserved game time in the centre. Williams and Potter have signed as similar aged back three squad/project players. Aspland-Robinson regaining fitness and Simmons shifting position adds to that bracket. The Steward has broken through and Browning is coming up the rails. Plenty of good news for the squad as a whole there but perhaps not for those guys who might struggle to make an impact.

Ah not nice. Good to see the club's support.

Borthwick has only ever said Tom wasn't available for selection which was a good touch, Tom and Tiff deserve their privacy. Tiff has pulled through when things looked grim before and I hope for the family she can do so again, really feel for them they have haven't had much luck. Hopefully a show of support can be arranged for the next home game Vs Sale.

Awful news. Fingers crossed for the family.

Horrible news. They're a lovely family, to hear they are going through this all over again is just awful.

Fingers crossed there is good news at the end of the story once again.

Given we are already discussing the cap investigation on another thread I thought I'd revive this one for some different Tigers news.

Moroni has come out saying he wants to stay at Tigers and his agent is discussing a new contract with the club. Moroni staying would be fantastic news. He's one of the best defensive 13s in international rugby and offers plenty in attack. His availability has been excellent as internationals go to.

In formerly of this parish news Charlie Titcombe came off the bench to debut for Wuss yesterday in the PRC. He's with them on loan from Lough Students. When I saw Charlie for the U18s I rated him and am delighted he's got a chance. The Lough setup is really great for giving players that just miss out on Premiership contracts a chance to keep improving and kick on. Tigers are fortunate to have a close connection there but they've got a really good spread of players from across the academies.

Loughborough University have agreements with five different clubs to help with player development of which Tigers are one. I can't help but think we should have developed a closer link with the Uni years ago. 

I hope we are keeping an eye on his development and Lavin's recovery whilst they are playing at Loughborough, we might want both back in the fullness of time.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Loughborough University have agreements with five different clubs to help with player development of which Tigers are one. I can't help but think we should have developed a closer link with the Uni years ago. 

I hope we are keeping an eye on his development and Lavin's recovery whilst they are playing at Loughborough, we might want both back in the fullness of time.

I think all clubs should have developed these kinds of links with their local universities. Good development for Rugby.

More clubs seem to be recruiting through the University and BUCs now. Quins have done very well from it recently.

Ollie Smith is at Loughborough as well. I was very surprised he didn't get a dev squad contract with Tigers.

doctor_grey wrote:

formerly known as Sam wrote:Loughborough University have agreements with five different clubs to help with player development of which Tigers are one. I can't help but think we should have developed a closer link with the Uni years ago. 

I hope we are keeping an eye on his development and Lavin's recovery whilst they are playing at Loughborough, we might want both back in the fullness of time.

I think all clubs should have developed these kinds of links with their local universities.  Good development for Rugby.  

Your Saints have done they are one of the five that Loughborough University are working with. Saints have taken to sponsoring the Loughborough University Women's pro team as well (don't get me started on how Tigers missed that opportunity).

I agree with you both BUCS rugby is a good proving ground for young players, it always used to be the case as it wasn't unusual for a rugby player to go to Uni in the amateur and early pro days. Seems to have gone back to that a bit as teams want to look after their younger players and getting them further education and competitive rugby through a University is a good idea.

Great to see Ilione in the U20s. Presumably means he's approaching fitness and shows how highly rated he is given he's not played yet this season.

A bit surprised that Sam Edwards missed out. Maybe means Tigers have asked to keep him as he's expected to play when Lenny is with England.

Had Lewis Chessum been fit he'd have likely made it too.

Rob Hardwick, former Tigers academy, now with Wasps and Chinnor via some disciplinary is in there too.

I did wonder if Woodward might get a luck in, he seems to be the star of the current academy set up but he is a bit young by comparison to some of those selected.

I hope Ilione is on the mend, be great if he could make his debut before the end of the season.

Whats the lowdown on Lewis Chessum....

Ollie is looking a very bright prospect...

From what I've heard they are cut from the same cloth. Lewis the younger brother might actually end up the bigger of the two. He's been on loan and getting the odd game at Notts which at 18 is good going and similar to what Ollie did. The Nottingham website has Lewis at 18 stone already so he isn't small but looks quite gangly still, I suspect he might pack out as he grows. Hopefully he has the same workrate as Ollie and is just as handy at lineout jumping.

Yes i heard Lewis was about 6'9...so actually taller than Ollie.

Be interesting watch them develop...it an area we could really do with some BIG guys with class coming through.

Yeah I'd heard Lewis was the bigger of the two but I tend to take the size of age grade players with a grain of salt. I still think Ollie could keep growing into his frame, he certainly did over the summer. Ollie has turned into a very good lineout jumper, hopefully his brother has the same spring in his jump. At 6ft9 he could be even better which would be nice and it would hurt to have a proper monster come through in the row.

We seem to have a decent seam of forwards coming through. No real number 8 as of yet but props, hooker, locks and flankers we're doing alright.

Even better news for academy is that we might actually see a couple of centres come through been a while. Cusick who's already made his debut and is in the development squad and Woodward the current captain of the academy side looks like he could be a special one. A playmaking 12 who looks to have some physical attributes as well.

So then.

OTY confirmed retired. Sad but expected, especially after YBY's interview and glad he's getting to lead the team out this weekend. A true Tigers legend.

Sounding like Watson, Phil Cokanasiga, Cracknell and Gopperth are done deals. Montoya and Moroni rumoured to have signed new contracts which would both be brilliant news. Reffell under contract for next season at least it seems too.

On the downside Nadolo sounding more likely to be away back to Australia. Alongside Genge and Ford he is a massive loss.

Brink and Kobus already out midseason. Taute and Socino seem almost certain to move on though Taute might stay as a coach.

With Jansen impressing I'd be surprised if Robinson gets renewed but he is a good player and won't cost much so could feasibly go either way.

Ashton would be a useful renewal if Nadolo is indeed off. He may well fancy a chance at 100 tries as well and wont be expensive at this stage.

We've also been linked with David Williams from Notts who I thought did well in his previous stint back at Tigers and has a very good Championship strike rate.

1.Whitcombe
2.Montoya, Dolly, Clare, Vanes
3.Cole, Heyes, Hurd, Hoyt
4.Wells, Green, Manz
5.Chessum, Snyman, Henderson
6.Liebenberg, Martin, Cracknell
7.van Staden, Reffell, Ilione
8.Wiese, Jansen, Agbongbon

9.Youngs, JvP, (Wigglesworth?), Edwards, Law
10.Pollard, Burns

11.Potter, Saumaki, Cokanasiga
12.Kelly, Scott, Gopperth
13.Moroni, Porter, Cuisick
14.Watson, Ashton, (Williams?)
15.Steward, Hegarty

I've listed Cokanasiga as a wing there despite him being predominantly a centre. We are looking stacked at centre so I expect we might see all of Porter, Moroni and Cokanasiga covering wing next season.

The big question mark remains LH. Whitcombe is very talented but reinforcements are needed. James Cronin has been rumoured in. I hope Nephi stays and concentrates on LH. Realistically though we already have Genge out with Nephi, van Wyk and Richardson all players I could feasibly see moving on. Interested to see what Borthwick has planned here.

Overall I'm happy with how the squad's shaping up. Genge, Ford and Nadolo are gigantic losses but Pollard and Watson are fantastic replacements in two of those positions. Gopperth adds further depth for 10 and Cokanasiga a new carrier in the back line.