1 more year for the AP's greatest fullback?

Sadly it is looking that way with the local paper here in Leicestershire reporting that the Leicester Legend is likely to be hanging his boots up at the end of next season. Until pre season that is when he will be pulling them on again to coach the academy players. I've heard it from several players that have come through Tigers that Geordan is always the guy happiest to offer advice and stay behind to help the younger guys work on their kicking and passing. The academy players must surely relish the prospect of learning from the great man full time rather than just after he's finished training.

Story here:

http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Geordan-Murphy-ponders-Leicester-Tigers-coaching/story-16376397-detail/story.html

After 15 odd years with the club it would be criminal just to let him go so I'm glad Tigers have sounded out a retirement scheme for him early as the major failing of the academy has been it's ability to find a replacement for Geordan. Perhaps he will be able to start developing his own successor in a years time.

A quality player with great experience and a true Tigers legend. The perfect mould of teacher you would want in a club's academy. Smart move and something that he excel in over time.

Trouble is that there are insufficient honorarium posts that can provided to all Tigers' greats.

He and Castro could always retire gracefully together and live off the profits of their gastronomic emporium?

The Tigers must be careful not to create jobs just because they can afford them currently.

Portnoy, Tigers don't offer everyone a job on retirement. Harry Ellis wasn't offered a job coaching the scrum halfs, Ben Kay didn't get offered a job, neither did Julian White (there is a man I wouldn't mind mentoring some of the younger props) and I doubt Chuter will when he opts for retirement (probably at the end of next season as well).

Of the current coaching team, Blaze already had some coaching badges when Herring announced he was of and so took retirement and the coaching job. Burke came in as kicking/A League coach years ago and other than that it's really just Cockers, MOC and the normal backroom staff.

Looks like the right time for him. Hes not the force he once was even on the odd occasions hes fit. Hell of a servant for the club but hardly a great surprise

Any youngsters waiting in the wings worth keeping and eye on?

At fullback? There's Matt Tait and Niall Morris in the squad but I doubt Tait will be fit for a long enough period and Morris reminds me forcibly of Hamilton at fullback, solid but unspectacular.

Lewington has graduated from the academy but I don't think Cockers trusts him. He's pacey, good step and good all round skills but he goes for the risky moves and the big counter attacks that sometimes aren't on. I think we may some more of him on the wing this season as Cockers looks to build his experience before applying more pressure at fullback.

Forsyth has also just graduated from the academy. Bit of the Twelvetrees about him in that he's a great all round footballer with a massive boot. Little less power than Billy but more pace. Can play centre and fullback but think he's more likely to stay at 12 this season.

MacAuley and Catchpole the academy fullbacks have had representitive callups for Ireland and England respectively but I'm not sure either will become specialist 15s. MacAuley will probably become a winger that can cover and Catchpole will probably end up as more of an outside centre. There's a big wing hope in Tahir El Mahdi but he looks set to be a Varndell style speed merchant and I can't see them switching him to 15.

formerly known as Sam wrote: Bit of the Twelvetrees...... likely to stay at 12 this season.

Yeah, likely to stay more at centre this season is what I should have said. That would be more accurate. I wouldn't mind having a look at Forsyth at 15, the guy has a seriously hefty left boot and enough pace though not enough to be called fast. Physicality wouldn't be an issue and neither would his footballing skills. It would just come down to positioning and ability under the high ball and I think he's played a few games at 15 for Nottingham previously so there should be some capability in those departments.