Mulipola staying with Tigers

Logo and Niall Morris have agreed new contracts. Tigers never seem to say how long they are for, but it will be interesting to See Mulipola at LH at the start of nexst season.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/13824.php

Looks like a good player that Mulipola bloke. Impressed by him against us at VR.

You probably got him cheap which is a bit worrying for the rest of us.

Logo has been a great find for Tigers and at loosehead he'll get some good action with Ayerza at the 4Ns. He may be at Samoan international but his experience of professional rugby is pretty low (he was propping and playing 8 at previous clubs!) so there should hopefully be more to come.

Interesting that Morris has signed a new deal, he only joined last summer and that was on a two year contract so I wonder if one of the Irish Provinces has been sniffing around so Tigers have added a year onto his deal to make sure they keep him.

Who is Niall Morris? I know very little about him.

Full back picked up from Leinster as squad cover. He's turned out to be a fair signing in that he reminds me of Hamilton, good footballer with a rounded skill set and will finish given the opportunity. Only issues are that he shares Hamilton's slight wobble under the high ball and that he lacks Geordan's footwork magic so may find it hard to wrestle the 15 shirt of its long term incumbant. Glad he's staying with us but think long term he is likely to be overtaken in the pecking order by either the mended Tait or possibly young Lewington who has more pace, step and that little bit of something else like Geordie though as Cockerill puts it Lewington can be a bit 'rash' at times.

Thanks for the summary Sam

Geordan Murphy seems to have been with you for absolutely ages. Good player and nice bloke.

14 or 15 years for Smurph at Welford Rd (he joined aged 18 I think), never met anyone with a bad word to say about him and it's almost a yearly thing to hear one academy boy or other talk about some help he's given outside of training. The man is a legend in Leicester and will have a contract with the club until he retires and will then no doubt be offered a coaching role.

Speaking of former Tigers in coaching roles Harry Ellis has been given the job of attack coach for the Leicestershire County team, his main focus being attack off of first phase ball according to the local rag so he may be back at Oval Park in a year or twos time.

Its got to the point now where when Tigers make a substitution it strengthens the team (witness Mafi for Croft).

Scrums well, carries well, defends well.

Its a good retention.

I'd stick him on the wing. He's fast enough to replace Tuilagi!

You have to give Tigers credit, they know how to find a prop, and a lock, and a flanker, and a...

Leicester have really got their recruiting and resigning sorted this season...

They have signed Miles Benjamin, 23, Adam Thompstone, 24, and Dan Bowden, 26 for next season...very good, and have signed anouther Fijian winger / Centre Vereniki Goneva.

I think Benjamin in particular is a cracking signing for them.

Blimey, have Falcons run out players to send us?

'Bring me another boy, this one is broken'

They have signed Miles Benjamin, 23, Adam Thompstone, 24, and Dan Bowden, 26 for next season...very good, and have signed anouther Fijian winger / Centre Vereniki Goneva

Happy with the first three as we needed players in those positions but not sure about Goneva. I would have rather seen the likes of Forsyth and Lewington get more game time then bring in some more squad cover. Unless he is likely to be pushing for a first team place and is real quality I'd have rather invested the money elsewhere (specialist fullback, hooker or in a young second rower/renew Green's contract).

Just out of interest could someone post Leicesters squad for next season? I'm just trying to get my head round how big it must be and all the talent that's there. If you like I can try to do the same for Quins as a comparison.

As mentioned the strength in depth (even in some third choice players) is terrifying.

Props:
Ayerza, Brookes, Castro, Cole, Mulipola, Stanko

Hookers:
Chuter, Hawkins, Youngs

Second Row:
Deacon, Kitchener, Parling, Slater

Back Row:
Crane, Croft, Mafi, Newby, Salvi, Woods, Waldrom

Half Backs:
Flood, Ford, Harrison, Young, Youngs

Centres:
Allen, Bowden, Forsythe, Manu, Smith, Tait

Back 3:

Benjamin, Hamilton, Lewington, Morris, Murphy, Thompstone




Dual Registered Players (not all staying):

Balmain, Bowers, Duffey (FR)
Green (SR)
Armes, Carpentier, Pienaar (BR)



Sam can add more I am sure.

Loosehead - Ayerza, Mulipola, Stanovitch, Harris
Hooker - Chuter, T Youngs, Hawkins, Stevens, Thacker
Tighthead - Castro, Cole, Brookes, Bower, O'Campo, Balmain
Lock - Deacon, Parling, Slater, Kitchener, Green (is he staying), Cain, Price
Blindside - Croft, Mafi, Pienaar, Doyle (though I know nout about him)
Openside - Salvi, Newby, Woods, Armes
8 - Crane, Waldrom, de Carpienter
9 - Youngs, Young, Harrison, Steele
10 - Flood, Ford, Lynn (no first team appearence yet)
IC - Allen, Bowden, Symons
OC - Manu, Smith, Forsyth, Mama, Rolston
Wing - Thompstone, Benjamin, Gonvea, Hamilton, Lewington
FB - Murphy, Tait, Morris, MacAuley

Tried to include all the players that have appeared for the first team (including LV Cup) though the raft of academy players that appeared in the win at the Stoop might have thrown me. I think Thacker is the young hooker with Rudkin the prop but I get the two of them confused. Lynn I included because it's only a matter of time before he gets a start given his reliably good academy performances and I think Price has had a game in the LV but not 100%. Rolston and Mama are part timers with Loughborough Uni.

Very impressive squad there for Tigers! I'll dig up Quins in abit as comparison

It's a big squad but it does have a number of long term injuries some DR'd players and some players who are very much work in progress. Be interested to see how it compares to Quins. I'd also be interested to know how many of the youngsters Tigers are claiming as first teamers and so players under the cap as some of those above have only an appearence or two to their name.

Cover for Murphy, who is showing signs the injuries are taking their toll, is still a bit light...lots of decent options ( include hamilton) but they need someone to step up a gear. Hooker is still an obvious weakness. With 36 gone they are surely a fly half short, Flood misses a third of the season.
The depth in the other forwards and SH is ridiculous though.


No shouk Logo has been kept on. As he continues to get his fitness levels up he should only get better. Really great find, it does make you wonder about the amount of money poured into development programs in England when a guy whos barely more than an amateur can come over and match the cream of the premiership in a few weeks.

Chris Brooker Hooker England
Joe Gray Hooker England

Aston Croall Prop England
Tim Fairbrother Prop New Zealand
James Johnston Prop Samoa
Mark Lambert Prop England
Joe Marler Prop England
Nick Mayhew Prop New Zealand

Peter Browne Lock England
Ollie Kohn Lock England
George Robson Lock England
Tomas Vallejos Lock Argentina

Maurie Fa'asavalu Flanker Samoa
Chris Robshaw (c) Flanker England
Will Skinner Flanker England
Luke Wallace Flanker England

Nick Easter Number 8 England
Tom Guest Number 8 England
Chris York Number 8 England

Richard Bolt Scrum-half England
Danny Care Scrum-half England
Karl Dickson Scrum-half England

Rory Clegg Fly-half England
Nick Evans Fly-half New Zealand

Tom Casson Centre England
Matt Hopper Centre England
George Lowe Centre England

Ollie Smith Centre England
Jordan Turner-Hall Centre England
Benjamin Urdapilleta Centre Argentina

Ugo Monye Wing England
Sam Smith Wing England
Seb Stegmann Wing England
Tom Williams Wing England
Mike Brown Fullback England
Ross Chisholm Fullback England


Academy boys with senior appearances: (Starts + Subs)
Buchanan Rob 6 +8 Hooker
Collier Will 0 +7 Prop
Lindsay-Hague Ollie 3 +5 Wing
Matthews Charlie 5 +8 Lock
Sinckler Kyle 0 +2 Prop
Stuart Sam 0 +1 Center
Trayfoot Joe 1 +5 Backrow
Twomey Sam 2 0 Lock

We've also signed Ward as a new hooker and and flyhalf/centre from the SH.

yappysnap wrote:We've also signed Ward as a new hooker and and flyhalf/centre from the SH.

I misread that as him being a hooker and fly half from the SH, now I know some of those sanzars are talented lads but that would be unusual.

You didn't misread

With 36 gone they are surely a fly half short, Flood misses a third of the season.

Bowden and Ford replace Twelvetrees and Staunton in the first team. Lynn steps up as the academy development 10. Same number of options but with a little less experience overall.

There is strong rumours in France that George Ford could be joining Toulouse...

whocares wrote:There is strong rumours in France that George Ford could be joining Toulouse...

It would cost them - he has signed a new contract.

whocares wrote:There is strong rumours in France that George Ford could be joining Toulouse...

personally couldn't see that happening, he'll be getting first team action next session when Flood is away. It's too early in his career to be moving to Franch.

LondonTiger wrote:

whocares wrote:There is strong rumours in France that George Ford could be joining Toulouse...

It would cost them - he has signed a new contract.

Better that way
Would be a odd move anyway

The rumour started from this in L'Equipe I believe.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/L-actu-des-transferts/278397


I notice they also have Alex Cuthbert down as joining Toulon AND Racing Metro.

LondonTiger wrote:The rumour started from this in L'Equipe I believe.

http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/Actualites/L-actu-des-transferts/278397


I notice they also have Alex Cuthbert down as joining Toulon AND Racing Metro.

This one is a mix of possibles and certains so wont believe all of it. Saw the ford rumour on various blogs including ones close to stade toulousain.
Toulon said they are not going to go into a bidding war for Cuthbert, Racing you never known as they are even crazier (after failing to sign dan parks they are now looking at Godman ffs)

The below looks more accurate and separates the rumours from the done deals:
http://www.rugby-transferts.com/top-14/tableau-transferts-rugby-top-14-2012.html

Looking around various things this side of the channel, there are rumours that Toulouse are chasing Ross Ford to replace Servat. A misunderstanding by a journalist when the name Ford was mentioned led to the rumours about George.

Ross Ford is a far more believable transfer target, I reckon.

I can't see Ford going to France it would end his England chances and not reflect well on him, walking out on a freshly signed contract. He'll get plenty of game time next season and no club will develop him better.

Exactly, just can't see it happening Ford has everything to gain staying here.

Any one see in the news that Allan has been approached by Lancaster and told that he is odds on for a place in the SA tour? apparently Stu was very impressed with his display against Quins and how quickly he's come back from injury.

Quins and Tigers could quite easily finish on the same points - who would finish top?

Quins, as they have won more matches.

Any one see in the news that Allan has been approached by Lancaster and told that he is odds on for a place in the SA tour?

According to his interview Lancaster made time to speak with him whilst visiting Welford Rd for a discussion with Cockers (a discussion which would have been frank and heavilly concerning player burn out and development if I read between the lines correctly). Allen said that Lancaster had indicated there were two ICs in front of him and told him what he needed to do to over take them (more of the same probably). Two weeks in a row Allen has shone, against Saints it was a tackling master class with him smashing everything and against Quins a quiet first half but an explosive second half where he gave JTH the run around.

I'd take Allan, I just worry that he's a player who can look good for his club but may never step up to international level a bit like Dowson.

Tbh I feel that any of our current 12's are just filling the gap until either Manu switches inside or Twelvetrees comes of age or one of the many exciting age grade prospects comes along.

Tbh I feel that any of our current 12's are just filling the gap until either Manu switches inside or Twelvetrees comes of age or one of the many exciting age grade prospects comes along.

That was tried earlier in the season, Manu just doesn't run the right lines or have quick enough feet to play 12. He is a far better 13 where he can step on the outside and use his pace or just crash in as needs be. He can pass and kick but it's not always the best so having a footballing 12 alongside suits him a lot better than having a speed merchant 13 on his outside.

Whether Allen will make the grade or not I don't know, SA will be the best acid test as they are big and they like to bosh so if he can stand the heat out there he'll be fine. He can certainly add something to a backline so he deserves another chance.

Manu is still very young though, I just like the idea of him at 12 with the likes of Joseph, Lowe, Walker etc at 13.

May never happen though and we do have some good potential 12's coming through.

Speaking of which who'll be 12 after Allan for Tigers? I assume Bowden but will he want to play 10 a lot as well?

Bowden is mainly going to be a 12 I think but will cover 10 when Flood is unavailable and either Ford is injured or the game is not suited to him. Forsyth the young 12 who played 13 in the LV semi final vs Bath and came off the bench in the final will be the other 12 option.