Leicester Tigers 2014/15 Thread.

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

Current Tables Positions:
 AP: 5th
 CC: 2nd in Group 3
 LV: 1st in Pool 3 

Last Game: V Bath @ Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
Next Game: V Harliquins @ Twickenham Stoop (15:15 KO) Sat 10 January 2015, (Live on BT Sport)


Official 1st XV squad 2014/15: ( Injured, Internationals, Suspension, "Knocked", )
 Head Coach/DoR: Richard Cockerill
 Assistant coaches: G. Murphy, R. Blaze, P.Blake,
 Captain: Ed Slater
 Props: Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo

 Hookers: Briggs, Ghiraldini, Thacker, Youngs .

 Locks: Deacon, De Cheves, Kitchener, Parling, Price, Slater, Thorn, Peterson

 Back Row: Barbieri, Crane, Croft, Gibson, Matera, Pearce, Salvi, Whetton

 Scrum Half: Harrison, Mele, Youngs

 Fly Half: Burns, Williams

 Centres: Allen, Bai , Heptema, Loamanu, Pohe, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi ,

 Back 3: Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Hamilton, Morris, Scully, Tait, Thompstone, Bell

Development Players 2014/15:
 Oliver Bryant, George Catchpole, Jake Farnworth, Tom Hudson, Ed Milne, Will Owen, Aniseko Sio, George Tresidder, Rhys Williams.


 New Deals 2014/14
 Dan Cole (Long term)
 Marcos Ayerza (3 years)
 Tom Youngs (Long Term)
 Owen Williams
 Graham Kitchener
 Fraser Balmain
 Tiziano Pasquali
 Harry Thacker
 Riccardo Brugnara





 Transfers in 2014/15:
 Brad Thorn (Highlanders)
 Tommy Bell (Jersey)
 Jack Roberts (Rotherham Titans)
 Aaron Mauger (Canterbury Crusaders)
 Jack Whetton (ACT Brumbies)
 Greg Peterson (Manly)

 Transfers Out 2014/15:
 Paul Burke (N/A)
 Neil McCarthy (N?A)
 Mathew Tait (Bayonne)

 Rumours:
Nyanga -----> Leicester, Touion or Metro(http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,2588 ... 29,00.html)
Fonua ------> Leicester
Dusautoir ----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
Albacete -----> Leicester, Irish, Bath Saracens
(both https://twitter.com/pauleddison)
Liam williams -> Leicester (Rugby Paper)
Jerome Kaino --> Leicester
Willem Alberts --> Leicester (Gillingham)
Mike Williams ---> Leicester (Fissler)
Justin Tipuric --> Leicester (TRP)
 

Home tickets can be brought Here:

[b]Premiership rugby 7's[/b]:

Leicester Finish as Plate winners of the 2014 Premiership Sevens!!!!!!!!!

Pre-season games 2014 + friendlies:
 Sat Aug 16th 15:00: Nottingham v Leicester Tigers @ Lady Bay Sports Ground, Nottingham's training ground, in West Bridgford (Lost 26-19)
 Sat Aug 23th 14:00: Edinburgh V Leicester Tigers @ Melrose. (Won 10 -11)
 Fri  Aug 29th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Cardiff Blues @ Welford Road (Won 21 - 17)
 Tues Nov 4th 19:30: Leicester Tigers V Barbarians @ Welford Road (Lost 26 - 59)

 Fixtures AP 2014/15:
R1: Saturday 06 /09/14, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (H) – Welford Road (Won 36 -17)   (Att: 22,639)
R2: Saturday 13/09/14, 15.15 – Exeter Chiefs (A) – Sandy Park (BT Sport) (Won 20 - 24)  (Att: 9,721)
R3: Saturday 20/09/14, 15.15 – Bath Rugby (A) – The Rec (BT Sport) ( Lost 45-0)  (Att: 12,817)
R4: Saturday 27/09/14, 15.00 – London Irish (H) – Welford Road (Lost 19-22)  (Att: 21,682)
R5: Saturday 04/10/14, 15.15 – Gloucester Rugby (A) – Kingsholm (BT Sport) (Lost 33 - 16)  (Att: 15,127)
R6: Friday 10/10/14, 19.45 – Harlequins (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Won 22 - 16)  (Att: 21,510)
R7: Saturday 15/11/14 – 15.00 – Saracens (H) – Welford Road (BT Sport) (Draw 21 - 21) (Att: 21,680)
R8: Sunday 23/11/14 – 14.30 – London Welsh (A) – Kassam Stadium (BT Sport) (Won 5 - 26) (Att: 3,249)
R9: Saturday 29/11/14, 15.00 – Wasps (H) – Welford Road (Won 18 - 16) (Att: 21,907)
R10: Saturday 20/12/14 15.00 – Northampton Saints (A) – Franklin's Gardens (Lost 23 - 19) (Att: 13, 362)
R11: Saturday 27/12/14, 14.00 – Sale Sharks (A) – AJ Bell Stadium (Won 30 - 32) (Att: 11, 247)
R12: Saturday 03/01/15, 15.00 – Bath Rugby (H) – Welford Road (Won 17 - 8) (Att: 24,000)
R13: Saturday 10/01/15, 15.15 – Harlequins (A) – Twickenham Stoop
R14: Saturday 14//02/15, 15.00 – Gloucester Rugby (H) – Welford Road
R15: Saturday 21/02/15, 15.00 – London Irish (A) – Madejski Stadium
R16: Saturday 28/02/15, 15.00 – Sale Sharks (H) – Welford Road
R17: Sunday 08/03/15, 15.00 – Newcastle Falcons (A) – Kingston Park
R18: Saturday 28/03/15, 15.00 – Exeter Chiefs (H) – Welford Road
R19: Saturday 11/04/15, 15.00 – Saracens (A) – Allianz Park
R20: Saturday 25/04/15, 15.00 – London Welsh (H) – Welford Road
R21: Sunday 10/05/15, 14.00 – Wasps (A) – Adams Park
R22: Saturday 16/05/15, tbc – Northampton Saints (H) – Welford Road
Fixtures in Rounds 1-6 are confirmed. From Round 7 onwards they are subject to television selections.

 Champions Cup pool + Fixtures 2014/15:
 Pool 3
 Toulon
 Leicester Tigers
 Ulster
 Scarlets.

European Champions Cup fixtures
Round 1: Saturday, October 18 (7.45pm) Leicester Tigers v Ulster Rugby (Won 25 -18) (Att: 19,943)
Round 2: Saturday, October 25 (7.45pm) Scarlets v Leicester Tigers (Lost 15 - 3) (Att: 8,235)
Round 3: December 5/6/7 Leicester Tigers v RC Toulon (Won 25 - 21) (Att: 22,114)
Round 4: December 12/13/14 RC Toulon v Leicester Tigers (Lost 23 - 8) (Att: 15, 045)
Round 5: January 16/17/18 Leicester Tigers v Scarlets
Round 6: January 23/24/25 Ulster Rugby v Leicester Tigers

 
LV Cup

 Pool 3
Leicester Tigers
Wasps
Newcastle Falcons
Scarlets

 LV Cup fixtures
 Round 1: Saturday, November 1 (3:00PM) London Irish V Leicester Tigers (Won 16 - 17) (Att: 5,131)
 Round 2: Sunday, November 8 (3:10PM)  Leicester Tigers V Sale sharks ((Won 29 - 13)) (Att:)
 Round 3: 30/31 Jan/ 1 February Leicester Tigers V Northampton Saints
 Round 4: 6/7/8 February Cardiff blues V Leicester Tigers

 
Fixtures
Round 1 - 31 October/01/02 November: London Irish v Leicester Tigers
Round 2 - 07/08/09 November: Leicester Tigers v Sale Sharks - Sunday, November 9, KO 15:15. Live on Sky Sports
Round 3 - 30/31 January/01 February: Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints
Round 4 - 06/07/08 February: Cardiff Blues v Leicester Tigers
Semi Finals - 13/14/15 March
LV= Cup Final - 22 March (venue to be confirmed)

 

[b]A League Fixtures[/b]:

 
 Academy Squad 2014/15:
 

Spoiler:

[formerly known as Sam]

I wonder if we'll utilise the Kiwi number 8 Grant from Notts if we're short. We borrowed him for the bench in pre season. Wells looked meaty I pre season as well

Otherwise good news really.

[nathan]

How Deano can moan about Tom Youngs being offside and not mention his own player who had a foot in touch on their own try....

[Welly]

Leicester Tigers:

15 Oli Bryant 14 Rhys Williams13 Charlie Thacker12 Javiah Pohe 11 Paolo Odogwu10 Owen Williams (c) 9 George Tresidder1 Riccardo Brugnara2 Neil Briggs3 Tiziano Pasquali4 Joe Maksymiw5 Matthew Hubbart6 Charlie Beckett7 Will Owen8 Ed Milne

Replacements:16 Harry Thacker17 Aniseko Sio18 Dan Hogan19 Luke Joseph20 Oliver Povoas21 George Prince22 Reuben Norville23 Gift Sankoh


Newcastle Falcons


15 Lee Smith, 14 Sean Brown, 13 Jamie Helleur, 12 Andy Tuilagi, 11 Danny Barnes, 10 Rory Clegg, 9 Andy Davies; 1 Eric Fry, 2 Rob Hawkins (c), 3 Scott Wilson, 4 Glen Young, 5 Will Witty, 6 Dan Temm, 7 Andy Saull, 8 Brian Tuilagi


Replacements: 16 David Nelson, 17 Jake Ellwood, 18 Mark Irving, 19 Ian Billington, 20 Conrad Gleeson, 21 Dan Taylor, 22 Tom Catterick, 23 Tom Penny

[formerly known as Sam]

Unsurprising loss there. Very young side, just hope there's no injuries and the young guys learn from it. Williams should have had a decent run out as well though he probably didn't get much ball.

[Geordie]

Bad blow about Slater...

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/29128248

[Welly]

Not to surprising due to recent talk.

 Parling should be fit for this week (according to him it was just rest.

 Thorn will help as a enforcer.

 and Kitchener will be on the bench and pushing for starting/to even starting.

[LondonTiger]

Desperately bad news about Slater. In hindsight shame the decision to operate was not made closer to the injury occurring back in june.

[Geordie]

Its not a good thing losing your captain and a big player in your side...but if there is a plus i guess its that your stable of locks is pretty good...even the young academy lads seem to be of a good standard....and are all BIG!!

[Welly]

Yeh without Slater we have

 Parling, Thorn, Kitchener, De Cheves, Price and Wells (cockers has mentioned this week that they have been looking at Crane playing lock Easter style I guess)

 Getting Thorn signature could prove vital.

[king_carlos]

Really bad news re Slater.

As has been said the Thorn signing has just gone from looking like a shrewd bit of business to being possibly inspired! Especially when the weather hits and things get bogged down having a guy with Thorn's ability in the tight could be a huge asset.

[Welly]

Trams added to OP

[Welly]

Updated OP.

 And for those interested the A league game v Northampton Wanderers has been called off until further notice, Decision made by Leicester.

[formerly known as Sam]

Lack of props with available skill level I heard. Basically Tigers weren't keen on sending academy props to play against Saints second team props which makes sense from a safety point of view. A raw 18 year old vs a twenty something with AP experience is dangerous. We couldn't even risk the Italian age graders as they are our bench at the minute.

[LondonTiger]

I understand that once you take out Logo and the Baltrain we do not have 4 fit props 18+ in age.

[kev_in_baff]

I have 2 spare terrace tickets for sat's game at Baff £30 each ( terrace now sold out ) always to best place to be. Anyone interested ?

[Welly]

I understand that once you take out Logo and the Baltrain we do not have 4 fit props 18+ in age.

1) Bristow, Brugnara (who played well when he came on against Exe I thought)
3) Pasquali, Sio

 All over 18 but all (expect Bristow who played a decent amount with Welsh in the AP) quite raw.

[LondonTiger]

Bristow and Sio apparently not fit to play

[Welly]

Bugger.

 In other news:

 Nyanga is being linked to us for next season.

 http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9471529,00.html

 Us, Racing and Toulon are the frontrunners.

 hopefully Flood will give us a helping hand.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'll believe that when I see him in a Tigers shirt. Sounds like the Teddy Thomas rumour again, French player uses us to boost his earning potential back in France.

[Welly]

Maybe.

But I do wonder if Matera will go to the Argentina super rugy team after the RWC.

Also seen on another forum that Fonua is coming just at the end of his contract, so next season.

[Geordie]

Is theres plans for a Super 15/16 or whatever side in Argentina?

Ah i hadnt heard about that.

[broadlandboy]

Read on a board that Arg coach wants his players playing for Arg Super team
Proposal being another SA team, Arg team + 1or 2 others increase in Super Rugby. Going to conferences with playing home & away in their conference then playing other teams once

[Welly]

SA don't need another team, they are desperate to put the Kings in there but they are rubbish.

 From what I gather there will be a team in Asian (Singapore or Japan) most likely Japan.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think post RWC we will probably see Parling head to France and Deacon retire. Wouldn't be massively surprised if Croft decided to cash in before retirement as well. If Matera goes as well that would be a blow but not one that would shock us. I note Hernandez and Sanchez are easing out of their contracts in preparation for a move from France to the SH.

[Welly]

15 John Hargreaves
14 Paolo Odogwu
13 Gift Sankoh
12 Javiah Pohe
11 Rhys Williams
10 Oli Bryant (c)
9 George Prince
1 Owen Hills
2 Jake Farnworth
3 Dan Hogan
4 Joe Maksymiw
5 Dave Lyons
6 Ed Milne
7 Will Owen
8 Laurence Pearce

Replacements
16 Gareth Turner
17 Henry Sands
18 Guido Cambareri
19 Charlie Beckett
20 Will Foden
21 Bruno Bravo
22 Charlie Thacker
23 Will Sutton


Pearce alone will be worth a look at.

Dave Lyons was a Cornish pirate last season I think now London scottish.

Guido Cambareri is a argentine Coventry prop

Will foden Doncaster Knights

Bruno Bravo argentine Doncaster Knight SH.

[formerly known as Sam]

No Thacker snr and no Tressider, are they now crocked as well?

Nice to see Bryant and Pearce get a run. Very young team, basically the academy with some coverage from the lower league affiliates.

[Welly]

Suspect Tresidder is being waited on due to the potential Mele suspension.

Thacker took a knock I believe.

Basically academy, Pearce, ! London Scottish lock, and a few Coventry and Doncaster Kbnights players on the bench.

[LordDowlais]

How is young Owen Williams doing for your lot so far this season ?

[Welly]

Hasn't played much at 10 due to his Suspension during pre-season. he played @ 12 last weekend. (Not that that game should be discussed here).

I think I heard he will be starting the next couple of games to allow the coaching staff a chance to compare the two before the Champions cup game.

[LordDowlais]

Who is he up against ? Would it be Freddie Burns ? If so there is no contest, if you want a player who will take the initiative and try and win the game then Owen Williams is a must, the kid can be electric, and he has an eye for the goal posts, if he does not get much game time at 10 I can see him comming back to Wales.

[lostinwales]

Williams had his chances last year with Leicester and did very well. Burns had a crap year last year but before that was very much next in line to Farrell, and played the AB's over the summer. Plenty of competition and way too early to claim one has an advantage over the other, regardless of their nationality.

[LordDowlais]

Williams had his chances last year with Leicester and did very well. Burns had a crap year last year but before that was very much next in line to Farrell, and played the AB's over the summer. Plenty of competition and way too early to claim one has an advantage over the other, regardless of their nationality.

nationality has nowt to do with it, if you want a "steddie eddie" then stick with Burns, Owen has a lot more to his game than just goal kicking, hence why they tried to play him in the center for his last game.

[Guest]

Confusing posts to say the least. Probably the first and last time Burns will be described as the steady eddie.

I'm a big fan of Owen but to describe him as the maverick and Burns as the solid unflashy one seems way off the mark to me.

[lostinwales]

Williams had his chances last year with Leicester and did very well. Burns had a crap year last year but before that was very much next in line to Farrell, and played the AB's over the summer. Plenty of competition and way too early to claim one has an advantage over the other, regardless of their nationality.

nationality has nowt to do with it, if you want a "steddie eddie" then stick with Burns, Owen has a lot more to his game than just goal kicking, hence why they tried to play him in the center for his last game.

With all due respect on other threads you are claiming that Biggar is the best performing British 10. Now he might be, but its very very hard to prove either way, unless you allow for the teeniest bit of nationalist sentiment

[LordDowlais]

You tell me somebody who is playing better then.

[lostinwales]

From the reports so far the best performing no.10's in the AP are probably Ford and Cipriani. I cant tell you they are playing better than Biggar, but they are doing some very good things

[LondonTiger]

Williams had his chances last year with Leicester and did very well. Burns had a crap year last year but before that was very much next in line to Farrell, and played the AB's over the summer. Plenty of competition and way too early to claim one has an advantage over the other, regardless of their nationality.

nationality has nowt to do with it, if you want a "steddie eddie" then stick with Burns, Owen has a lot more to his game than just goal kicking, hence why they tried to play him in the center for his last game.

I think you are mistaking the two. Williams is the steadier, Burns the flashier. Williams played centre because Allen and Manu were withdrawn just before kick-off. There was no other option and why there were two scrum halves on the bench.

Due to his suspension, Williams was unavailable for any pre-season match and Burns has shown the form we had hoped. I do however expect to see Williams in 10 this weekend and next.

Your complete and utter disdain for Freddie burns did seem to indicate a national bias.

[LordDowlais]

ok

[formerly known as Sam]

Williams will be a big battle this season. Williams has had no pre season so an A league game, two games off the bench and a full game last weekend (most of the St 12). Burns shone in pre season and has played well so far. Cockers revealed he sat Burns down after he joined up and gave him a list of his expectations and Burns has done everything demanded of him.

Got to be good for the club to have two talented 10s going toe to toe. Williams should get a little go in the next couple of games depending on which centres are fit will depend on whether he starts at 10 or 12.

[Welly]

Ben Kay has joined the Leicester Tiger board:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/20789.php#.VCPu_hEtAdU

[LondonTiger]

Was that the spot vacated by Woodward?

[formerly known as Sam]

I thought Woodward went then returned? I lose track of which old boy has offered to help each year. Given Ben Kay is a partner in a successful marketing company I suspect we might see a more innovative communication with fans over the next year or so. Well I hope.

[yappysnap]

Does this mean he'll be even more one eyed when commentating on Leicester though??

[Guest]

First time I've seen anyone accuse Ben of being biased. For me he's the best pundit involved in English rugby and is in stark contrast to Dallaglio.

[formerly known as Sam]

Generally he and Austin go with Tigers were better when we were playing. They often seem to have expectations so high they are unattainable.

[HammerofThunor]

Only time I've ever seen Kay and Healey biased is when Liecester lost to Australia. Then they were both a bit biased, but for club games? I can't really think of any examples.

[HongKongCherry]

Kay is a fantastic pundit and certainly far less bias than Healey, but it can get a bit much when the pair of them commentate on a Leicester game. Mustn't grumble really, as I'd far rather hear them than Harrison and Barnes

[yappysnap]

Kay is a fantastic pundit and certainly far less bias than Healey, but it can get a bit much when the pair of them commentate on a Leicester game.  Mustn't grumble really, as I'd far rather hear them than Harrison and Barnes

Fact

[LondonTiger]

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/24/geoff-parling-leicester-england-concussion

Disturbing reading.

[Welly]

Edited Op.

Team sheets and Injuries

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