The Leicester Tigers thread

by Portnoy Tue Jul 17, 2012 5:00 pm

First topic message reminder :

2012/3 may well prove to be a memorable one.

For once, there seems to be (albeit not unplumbable) strength in depth, a fairly healthy squad and a straightforward, uncomplicated international season.

by Jimpy Tue Apr 16, 2013 8:34 am

Hound of Harrow wrote:
Jimpy wrote:Wasps are lucky Cockers rested key players and substituted half the squad by the 60 minute point - that could have been even more embarassing...

It might have escaped your notice that Wasps were missing 7 usual starters through injury (2 of whom have captained this season) and needed to rest Launchbury and Masi, who were knackered.

Losing Robinson and Wade early in the game didn't help either.

We were expecting nowt from that game, given the team we put out. Watching on the box I was pleased that our decimated pack won two scrum penalties.A phyrric victory I know but.

Sympathy shags from JP Doyle Whistle

by **LondonTiger** Wed Apr 17, 2013 11:18 am

Tom Youngs wins Players Player of the Year (Morris and Slater other nominees)

Fraser Balmain secures Young Player award (ahead of Harrison and Kitchener)

by king_carlos Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:17 pm

Do we reckon any academy players will be added to the senior squad for next season? I can't think of any immediately who are knocking the door down - Price and Cain are both big talents and approaching the age to make the step up but with Parling, Deacom, Kitchener, Slater and Mafi already there would struggle for game time.

by formerly known as Sam Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:28 pm

Price, Cain and Wells will probably spend the majority of next season on loan at Notts. Given Rouse is gone and they have borrowed all three at different times this season I can see next season it will happen again.

Forsyth's future is interesting, will he go to Notts and replace Streather. or replace Bowden as the backup 12?

There's a number of talented academy players but they are all young enough to spend another year developing. A centre combo of Pohe and Tuilagi would be good to see in the near future.

by king_carlos Fri Apr 19, 2013 12:38 am

Cheers sam.

It would make sense for Price and Cain especially to head to Notts for a season to get regular game time. Forsyth I'd like to see stay as cover for 12 and also for 15 behind Tait and Morris with Geordan bowing out.

Interesting news that Gonzalo Camacho appears to have signed from the Chiefs as well.
http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-sign-Argentine-winger-Gonzalo/story-18732081-detail/story.html#axzz2QrRJGCLj

He's a decent winger but with Morris, Thompstone, Goneva and Benjamin already here I can't help but feel it's a slightly unnecessary signing - especially when we released Agulla due to not having him for the full season with Puma's commitments.

by **LondonTiger** Fri Apr 19, 2013 11:59 am

Jimmy Stevens has been signed by LI

by king_carlos Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:00 pm

Jonny Harris and Alex Lewington have gone with him LT.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/22215447

by Portnoy's Complaint Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:18 pm

What's happened to the French lad in the academy?

Also how likely do you think Ireland will come sniffing around for Niall Morris as he gets more game time?

by formerly known as Sam Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:45 pm

Morris turned down Leinster to sign a new deal at Tigers. Can't see him going back, there's plenty of back three options over there and he was hardly looked after in Dublin before.

by HammerofThunor Fri Apr 19, 2013 4:50 pm

If Comacho has a strong appearance fee then it may by why he was signed. So if he plays for Argentina he gets paid by them but less by Tigers. If he doesn't he can get more from Tigers. Kind of makes sense. Not sure on the rules of appearance fees and it of course adds complication for salary cap

by Portnoy's Complaint Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:00 pm

formerly known as Sam wrote:Morris turned down Leinster to sign a new deal at Tigers. Can't see him going back, there's plenty of back three options over there and he was hardly looked after in Dublin before.

I meant the national side Sam. Gordelpus, you would have thought that the Tigers would have learned not to be used a a Provincial feeder club. Get him EQd pronto!

Looking at the academy http://www.leicestertigers.com/rugby/leicester_tigers_academy_squad.php it looks very cosmopolitan. Has it been refreshed recently?

by formerly known as Sam Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:23 pm

The Irish national side have lots of wing options I doubt Morris will get recognition I'm afraid. Though that wilm secure his future at Tigers.

The academy does have a cosmopolitan look but then again Leicestershire is home to so many cultures that it was always likely that the academy would reflect that eventually. Now we just need to progress a few into the first team, the centre Pohe could be an option soon as he's a physical 12 and I'd imagine his skill set might appeal to Cockers. Might depend in how he's developing though.

by Portnoy's Complaint Fri Apr 19, 2013 5:41 pm

The Irish national side have lots of wing options I doubt Morris will
get recognition I'm afraid. Though that wilm secure his future at
Tigers.

No side is more than a couple of injuries plus a couple of suspensions/loss of form from a crisis Sam.

If needs be, you can never rule out the possibility. Morris is only 24/5.

He'll be EQ eligible in about a year. I doubt that fact will be missed in Dublin.

by formerly known as Sam Fri Apr 19, 2013 6:40 pm

Murphy got caps at Tigers if Ireland wanted him that bad they'll cap him. Don't think he'd move back to get the recognition though.

by Portnoy's Complaint Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:06 pm

I'd just be inclined to give him a nominal Saxon cap just to head 'em off at the pass.

And if he blooms late the Tigers can avoid an IW call-up or England can have him.

My bet is that the Wolfhounds would be at the door first though.

by formerly known as Sam Fri Apr 19, 2013 7:49 pm

Sneaky. Think England were into nominal Saxons caps they'd have got Heathcote and Lahiff secured before looking at solid wingers with a bit of pace.

by **LondonTiger** Wed Apr 24, 2013 10:46 am

Julian Salvi and Tom Youngs are joined by Danny Care, Akapusi Qera, Christian Wade and Steve Borthwick as the nominees for Aviva Premiership Player of the Year.

The shortlist was compiled by a panel of media professionals - Miles Harrison (Sky Sports), Alastair Eykyn (BBC 5 Live), Jill Douglas (freelance), Stephen Jones (Sunday Times), Nick Mullins (ESPN), Adam Hathaway (Chairman of the Rugby Writers' Club and Sunday People), Hugh Godwin (The Independent and Independent on Sunday), David Rogers (Getty Images), and Alan Pearey (Rugby World). They were joined by Phil Winstanley (rugby director at Premiership Rugby) and Paul Morgan (Premiership Rugby's communication director) who chaired the panel.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/16291.php

by formerly known as Sam Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:25 pm

Nice for Salvi who is such a work horse for us, he really has been transformed since he arrived into a machine on the deck. Tom Youngs has been awesome this season though his biggest games were probably in the HEC.

Can't see past Wade winning it though, the little guy is incredible.

by beshocked Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:29 pm

Sam I would agree about Salvi. He's been excellent for you. Hasn't he got the best turnover stats in the AP this season?

Not sure about Tom Youngs' nomination personally. He's obviously has had a very good season overall so far but there are other players in the AP specifically I would say had ahead of him.

Any idea of nominations for the other awards?

by **LondonTiger** Wed Apr 24, 2013 5:46 pm

George Chuter awarded a testimonial next year (along with the 1 year contract)

by Portnoy's Complaint Wed Apr 24, 2013 6:03 pm

Sadly, but inevitable in the circumstances that the Lions party should be almost exclusively on the back of a filthy, cold, wet NH winter.

Tom Youngs could be the star player of the Oz tour (if selected).
Not sure about Argentina though as in their winter they will not be likely to have firm pitches.

by formerly known as Sam Sun Apr 28, 2013 9:50 am

The Irish Independent are reporting Matt O'Connor will be taking the Leinster job next season. Thoughts on that? Personally I think It's the right time for him to go as we need some fresh impetus in the backs.

The big question is who do we bring in as backs coach? Mauger or Gibson would be the favoured options with Geordie staying on for another year and doing some skills coaching with the academy part time.

by SecretFly Sun Apr 28, 2013 10:47 am

formerly known as Sam wrote:The Irish Independent are reporting Matt O'Connor will be taking the Leinster job next season. Thoughts on that? Personally I think It's the right time for him to go as we need some fresh impetus in the backs.

The big question is who do we bring in as backs coach? Mauger or Gibson would be the favoured options with Geordie staying on for another year and doing some skills coaching with the academy part time.

I've heard that Tiger fans weren't happy with the lack of cutting edge to their backs' efforts and that therefore O'Connor wasn't popular.

If that is so, and I haven't seen enough of Leicester to make a judgement on the impotency/or otherwise of their back play; but given that Leinster thrive on their backplay and kinda make it a central part of their drive to compete both in League and in Europe, I'd guess the first question O'Connor would have been asked would have been one that queried the luke-warm back play at Leicester?

If he's in at Leinster, he must have given them a pretty detailed explanation for why it wasn't him that was doing the failing there. So, what reasons do Tiger fans think he might have given that didn't include him as guilty party? Leinster aren't slouches when looking for coaches to keep the furnaces burning.

by formerly known as Sam Sun Apr 28, 2013 11:06 am

It's the cutting edge in big games that was the issue. Tigers high try scoring in the league would have been his major play. His attacking continuity sees Tigers gain the most TBPs over the course of the season and that will have appealed to Leinster. Leinster are good at the big plays in big games and will be hoping that O'Connor can generate the positions for that big game reaction.

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:47 am

Congrats to the six tigers players going on the Lions tour. Anyone know when they will be allowed to play again next season?

by broadlandboy Tue Apr 30, 2013 11:56 am

In an article in Leic Merc IIRC Cockers say they can start Pre season on the 1st Aug,a month after the others

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:01 pm

Same as last time then, they'll miss much of the first month of the season. Squad players times to shine.

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 12:12 pm

As the story on the tigers site says 5 of the 6 came through our academy.

by HongKongCherry Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:37 pm

LondonTiger wrote:Congrats to the six tigers players going on the Lions tour. Anyone know when they will be allowed to play again next season?

That's a hell of an achievement clap

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:03 pm

All bar Parling from the Tigers academy. That's good going.

by lostinwales Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:16 pm

HongKongCherry wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Congrats to the six tigers players going on the Lions tour. Anyone know when they will be allowed to play again next season?

That's a hell of an achievement

Is that a record from one club side?

by Bathman_in_London Tue Apr 30, 2013 2:21 pm

A great achievement for Leicester clap

.

It will be interesting to see how this affects the start of next season. Sarries will certainly see the first month or so as a chance to get ahead of you.

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 3:39 pm

We had more problems post RWC previously. We should still have a strong squad for the start of the season.

by Portnoy's Complaint Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:10 pm

There'll be hardly an Englishman in sight until August Sam.

They will all deserve a break (if they are not already broken on their SH tours).

The Tigers are going to have to be heavily on the academy and the foreign legion.

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:22 pm

We could still field a team of:

Mulipola, Briggs, Castro/Schuster
Slater, Kitchener
Mafi, Crane, Salvi
Mele, Flood
Allen, Smith
Thompstone, Tait, Morris

Bench: Balmain, Hawkins, Stanko, Gibson, Waldrom, Harrison, Williams, Benjamin.

Hardly scraping the bottom of the barrel with another prop rumoured to be joining as well as the Castro replacement. The academy will get a good run on the friendlies as well.

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:24 pm

Can Mele cover 10 as well?

by formerly known as Sam Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:33 pm

Supposedly though we'll have Flood, William and Lamb as 10 options with possibly Bowden if he stays as well. I'd have thought Mele will be used as an experienced cover option for Benny and a mentor for Harrison who has a French 9 style skill set.

by SecretFly Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:44 pm

lostinwales wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Congrats to the six tigers players going on the Lions tour. Anyone know when they will be allowed to play again next season?

That's a hell of an achievement

Is that a record from one club side?

If it is then Leinster are joining them in the record......... this very same tour.

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 5:57 pm

SecretFly wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Congrats to the six tigers players going on the Lions tour. Anyone know when they will be allowed to play again next season?

That's a hell of an achievement

Is that a record from one club side?

If it is then Leinster are joining them in the record......... this very same tour.

Leinster are not a CLUB side though. They are a provincial side with lord knows how many constituent clubs.

by SecretFly Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:53 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
SecretFly wrote:
lostinwales wrote:
HongKongCherry wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:Congrats to the six tigers players going on the Lions tour. Anyone know when they will be allowed to play again next season?

That's a hell of an achievement

Is that a record from one club side?

If it is then Leinster are joining them in the record......... this very same tour.

Leinster are not a CLUB side though. They are a provincial side with lord knows how many constituent clubs.

Dear God..................... ! Is there a *sigh* emoticon?

Leinster have a specified senior squad of 40 designated players and an academy. Leicester have a senior squad of 49 designated players and their academy. Both sides can buy in certain back ups and both sides can look to players anywhere within their respective nations to fill in any spaces they think they might need.

Leinster are a quantifiably limited team, Leicester are a quantifiably limited team...they both have 6 representatives in the Lions squad. I just think people didn't bother looking at how many players other sides had Wink

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:14 pm

I looked and posted as such.

Leinster have used 52 players this season (e4xcluding B&I)
Tigers 42.

(Meaningless stat time Very Happy

)

Both have done well to get 6 representatives - doubt it is a record.

by AsLongAsBut100ofUs Tue Apr 30, 2013 7:19 pm

Wouldn't surprise me if London Welsh held the record from the 70s?

by **LondonTiger** Tue Apr 30, 2013 8:40 pm

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Wouldn't surprise me if London Welsh held the record from the 70s?

Possible

by Portnoy's Complaint Wed May 01, 2013 2:49 pm

LondonTiger wrote:
AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Wouldn't surprise me if London Welsh held the record from the 70s?

Possible

The 1971 party had 6 L Welshmen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_British_Lions_tour_to_New_Zealand#Squad

by SecretFly Wed May 01, 2013 3:12 pm

Whew................... thought our common record was in doubt there!! Yahoo

So now there's three of us?

by Portnoy's Complaint Wed May 01, 2013 3:29 pm

SecretFly wrote:Whew................... thought our common record was in doubt there!!

So now there's three of us?

I have absolutely no idea. And frankly I can't be arsed to do the elemental research over the bragging rights of a scratch XV.

by SecretFly Wed May 01, 2013 3:32 pm

greytiger wrote:
SecretFly wrote:Whew................... thought our common record was in doubt there!!

So now there's three of us?
I have absolutely no idea. And frankly I can't be arsed to do the elemental research over the bragging rights of a scratch XV.

I'm only exaggerating the affected relief there, grey. I couldn't care either. I just looked at the list and saw 6 Leicester players and 6 Leinster guys and I thought good strike rate for each. I didn't even think about records until I saw it mentioned here somewhere.

by formerly known as Sam Wed May 01, 2013 6:24 pm

Yeah pretty pleased for the boys going. With several of them possibly in the frame for the next tour as well. Shows the academy is still churning out a few good uns. Now if we could develop some more backs under our new backs coach (whoever he is) then things would be looking up.

Does Sexton still count as a Leinster player or does his contract end before the first test? Wink

by **LondonTiger** Wed May 01, 2013 7:38 pm

I see that andy Forsyth has joined Sale.

by formerly known as Sam Wed May 01, 2013 9:59 pm

Bowden (Sale or RL) is rumoured to be off as well as Symons (RL) and Cornwall (Italy). Currently our midfield options are:

12. Allen, Pohe (academy)
13. Manu, Smith

That leaves us a touch short unless Thompstone is covering 13 and Flood covering 12. Might need another centre.

by Sponsored content