Tigers eyeing up Priestland

Not a new story to be sure but just wanted to gauge peoples thoughts on if this would be a good match for Tigers and/or Priestland?

LEICESTER Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has confirmed the club have been in contact with Rhys Priestland about a possible move to Welford Road.

Priestland is out of contract with the Scarlets at the end of the season with the Tigers looking at the Wales fly-half as a possible replacement for Toby Flood, who is considering a move to France.

When asked if he had spoken to Priestland, Cockerill said: “Yes, I have spoken to his representatives.

“I am sure there are lots of clubs who would like him — and there are rumours of Gloucester — but it’s just how it fits in.

“Priestland and Flood are of a similar age and have similar experience.

“Priestland has not got as many caps as Flood but he is a very good player and there are not many fly-halves on the market.”

Tigers are also lining up Gloucester’s Freddie Burns if Flood does move on.

“Burns has clearly not signed for Gloucester yet,” Cockerill told the Leicester Mercury. “We are allowed to speak to their representatives, just not their players.

“We have made our request but Gloucester have all the power at the minute because they are the only ones able to negotiate.

“Then, every player has the right to look around in January. If there are two or three players of equal quality, usually the first to the line wins the race.

“Toby needs to make his mind up with regards to what he wants to do. Come January 1, if Floody has not come to an agreement with us, we have to look around.”


Read more: http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Tigers-boss-confirms-talks-Scarlets-star-Rhys/story-20344048-detail/story.html#ixzz2p3TCyPtq

Can't think why?

Sadly Tigers will pick and choose the best
10 for them and leave the scraps to Glaws.

Why would they sign Owen Whatshisface from the Scarlets, and them Preistland too? I prefer Owen. Would be happier to see him back in Wales and Priestland go the other way. Can they do a swap?

I think the Tigers already have a more interesting prospect in Owen Williams, Priestland is still a tidy player at this level though. Just seems like a weird decision to sign him.

Losing George Ford was the bigger mistake for my money. I think Tigers should have kept him at all costs. Still, based on recent performances Owen Williams looks the business, but Leicester will need more than one option at 10. I'd pick Burns ahead of Priestland personally.

Tigers went as high as they we able to with Ford. He chose to leave because Bath offered a big pack and a starting shirt where as Tigers expected him to earn his way into the first team.

Priestland is old news, I don't think it will happen. Too expensive and too much hassle with the PRL fines etc. Burns seems a more likely acquisition.

I also heard it was Burns they were chasing. RP would be a good signing, very good 10 if this erratic form ever ends. Don't see the point though as I think Tigers could cope with Williams, Lamb and Bowden as the emergency cover.

Where is Flood going, because if it's Toulon then I can't see them signing up Halfpenny.

Its been reported that burns has signed a 3 year contract with burns. Hopefully tigers will be getting rid of lamb. Bowden is seen as more of a centre going forward and Owen Williams will battle it our with burns.

Bowden is out of contract in the summer and rumours are of turbulent negotiations.

Lamb won't last long and is already rumoured to he off to Worcester in the summer.

Flood is supposedly off to Tolouse on a three year deal.

Toulon have recently given Armitage a new three year deal so aren't desperate for a 15. Rumours of Wilko extending again.

This is slightly after the Lord Mayor's show; it is quite clear Burns will be joining Tigers. It also sounds like Priestland is off to Wasps.

Owen Williams just got man of the match for the tigers in his 9th game of the season.
Buy Priestland at your peril!

Other than his sub appearance vs Ulster It's the only game of the season Owen has looked convincing. Potential is there but it needs developing. I don't think Priestland is a good enough kicker to get the job at Tigers.

Shifty wrote:Owen Williams just got man of the match for the tigers in his 9th game of the season.  
Buy Priestland at your peril!

Only saw the highlights. Marvelous off load for that try and a great kick from the touchline later on.

The highlights are what they say on the tin, Dave. Williams looks like a lost soul in the Tigers thus far. Lost and weak.
But he may improve (unlike Lamb is likely to).

funnyExiledScot wrote:Losing George Ford was the bigger mistake for my money. I think Tigers should have kept him at all costs.

I agree. Sam's right, though, that, realistically, Leicester couldn't have offered him more money. Where I disagree with some of the club's supporters is that they could have done more to make him feel his career was going forward during his last year there. It's interesting to see what he was reported saying today in the Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10545096/George-Ford-says-move-to-Bath-has-helped-fulfil-his-potential-as-he-stands-on-verge-of-England-selection.html

“I was frustrated at Leicester, even though I fully understood their point of view. It is only now that I have had a run of games here that I truly realise how I felt. I am a young lad and I want to be out there playing rugby."

I understand why Ford gets a lot of headlines and media attention. He has rightfully been tracked for big things for a few years now and has continued to develop. And I truly hope he realises all of the expectations and apparent potential.

However, at this moment, I think it is premature to consider him for the senior side. Saxons? Yes. They are for development purposes. But I don't see him as remotely ready for England. Despite the RWC looming, we need to be patient. Any time we have a young player with real potential and they get rushed into the senior side, they usually come back damaged, mentally, physically, or both. Give him time just to play without the worry, concern or distraction of England, and I would bet he comes good. Barring injury he should have a nice long career in front of him.

I agree Grey. It is a shame that Burns has had such a slump in form, as that's contributed to why there's so much clamour for Ford to be in the EPS. There's no rush, he's still got a lot of work to do, so let him learn in the Saxons.

Wilkinson syndrome. The belief that because one player managed to step up to top level international rugby at a ridiculously young age obviously they all can. (And look what happened to JW through the middle of his career)