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:

[Geordie]

Well thats a fair summary Jimpy.

Ive been fortunate to live in a few countries around the world and travel to many many more. Im back in Newcastle now...and would i move or live in any other part of England or the UK...nope.

Its all based on personal preferances.

[Welly]

Interesting piece in the mercury, some bits of it.

 Deacon has seen countless players come and go since then and he insisted he will not be taking it upon himself to show the new recruits the 'Leicester Tigers way'.

"You don't necessarily show them the way, you have got to let them feel the way," said Deacon. "They have got to earn the respect of all the players that are here.
"That's how it has always been, no matter who you are coming in.
"Just come in, work hard, keep your head down. When they have played their first few games, if they play well, they should settle down pretty quickly after that.
"I don't think anyone is going to put their arm around them and say 'this is what we do, we do this or that', they have to find out the hard way. That is what makes Leicester so strong."
When Deacon first made his way into the first-team squad 14 years ago, he had the likes of Richard Cockerill and Martin Johnson in the dressing room. He admits it can be an intimidating time.
"The first few weeks for the new players will be pretty nerve-wracking, I imagine it's quite a hard place to come," said Deacon.
"When I first started, I don't think I spoke to anyone for months.
"That's the way it has always been. You can't come in and be a Flash Harry because you will quickly get knocked down a peg or two. I think that's a good thing.
"You have got to earn your stripes. That's what the culture is all about. You do that, you won't go far wrong."
One of those new faces who already seems to be embodying the 'Tigers way' is Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini.
The 29-year-old arrived at Oval Park two weeks early to put the yards in before full pre-season started this week.
Director of rugby Cockerill said it is not Ghiraldini's CV that has already earned him the respect of his peers.
"For me, it's really easy," said Cockerill. "You get your head down, you work hard, and you earn the respect of your team-mates.
"Ghiraldini is a great example. He turned up early, he's got well over 60 caps for his country, he's captained his country and his last club, and he is in there working hard.
"He immediately he gets the respect of the team. Not because of his playing ability but because of the commitment he shows."


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Louis-Deacon-insists-Leicester-Tigers-new-boys/story-21745107-detail/story.html#ixzz38J0j2b9v

[Welly]

Another piece in the Mercury

 What tigers coaches have gotten up to in the off season.
 
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill, like the club itself, is seen by some as insular and someone who shuns the very notion of someone else suggesting how he should run the club.
But this is the man who handed over a lot of responsibility to head coach Matt O’Connor, before he decided to leave for Leinster last summer.
Cockerill will also have been the man giving the green light to the appointment of a new defence coach in the form of Phil Blake.
These are not the marks of a stubborn man, hell bent on doing everything his way.
Cockerill has seen that Tigers needed some help and new ideas without the ball in hand – and has acted swiftly.
He has also been to a conference in New York this summer where coaches and experts in leadership from various sports gave talks in their particular area of expertise.
It is not just Cockerill who has been travelling the globe trying to pick up new ideas to impart to the Tigers’ squad this season.
Backs coach Paul Burke has been to Australia for a week to spend time with Super 15 team, Melbourne Rebels, Rugby League side Melbourne Storm and Aussie Rules team Collingwood Magpies.
“It’s an important part of any coach’s development to look at other environments and see what tips you can pick up,” said Burke.
Assistant forwards coach Richard Blaze has also been on a fact-finding mission of his own.
He spent a week in South Africa with their Super 15 side the Blue Bulls, in Pretoria.

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Inside-Rugby-Tigers-coaches-travel-globe-add/story-21753843-detail/story.html#ixzz38OEcwsle

 Other pieces.

 Lots of competition.
 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Competition-Leicester-Tigers-set-tasty-says-coach/story-21752462-detail/story.html

 Morris still hurt by semi final loss.
 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Rugby-Aviva-Premiership-semi-final-loss-haunts/story-21752016-detail/story.html

 Last night's rugby Show was a Academy special by Martin Ballard and had interviews with:
 - Director Neil McCarthy
 - Coach Brett Deacon
 - Academy player Charlie Thacker

 Also interviews by Ian Cockerill
 - former Tigers player Sam Vesty
 - Assistant Coach Richard Blaze
 - flanker Julian Salvi
 - new Italian signing Robert Barbieri.

 http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/tigers

[Welly]

Pasquale Dunn ------> Doncaster RLFC

[formerly known as Sam]

Is that meant to by RL or RU? AA over to League wouldn't surprise me. The couple of times I've seen him play for Tigers he seemed to lack the defensive discipline and positional awareness to be a top level back in union. Good athlete mind and had some size and footballing ability. Not a loss though.

Be interesting to hear that podcast as Charlie Thacker is apparently a real prospect at 12.

Good to see the coaches have had interesting holidays. Except Geordan.

[formerly known as Sam]

What are people's predictions for the sevens squad? I hope we Bryant and the Williams boys but don't think we have any budding young sevens players though do we?

[Welly]

OP added LV cup pool  & Fixtures


 Sam going off last season squad/Players

 1. D. Williams
 2. J. Farnworth
 3. H. Thacker
 4. S. Wood
 5. O. Turton
 6. G. Catchpole
 7.  D. Jones
 8.  C. Thacker
 9.  G. Tresidder
10. O. Bryant
11. S.  Jones
12. t. Pointer
 
 But really who the hell knows.

[formerly known as Sam]

Pointer we borrowed from Loughborough Students. Not sure we'll bring him in again though he was a good sevens player. Farnworth may be to big now, he's supposed to be converting to hooker from backrow so may well have added more mass than is ideal for a sevens run out .

Be interesting to see. Would be nice to see a speedster or two break through the academy Into the first team.

[Welly]

Pointer we borrowed from Loughborough Students. Not sure we'll bring him in again though he was a good sevens player. Farnworth may be to big now, he's supposed to be converting to hooker from backrow so may well have added more mass than is ideal for a sevens run out .

Be interesting to see. Would be nice to see a speedster or two break through the academy Into the first team.

 Okay.

 Would be great to see the Williams get into the first team particularly Rhys.

[formerly known as Sam]

Agreed from I've seen and heard about Rhys he's a nice guy with a great step.

[Welly]

Is that meant to by RL or RU? AA over to League wouldn't surprise me. The couple of times I've seen him play for Tigers he seemed to lack the defensive discipline and positional awareness to be a top level back in union. Good athlete mind and had some size and footballing ability. Not a loss though.

 RL, apparently had a good game and tackled well, think League is a good move for him very dangerous in attack as you said we have better all round players though. But think League will be a excellent fit for him ATM.

[Welly]

OP updated to include the first preseason game v Nottingham @ Nottingham

 Sat Aug 16th 15:00: Nottingham v Leicester Tigers @ Lady Bay Sports Ground, Nottingham's training ground, in West Bridgford (Ticket can brought via Nottingham website)

 http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/20230.php#.U9eIxREg8dU

[Geordie]

Pointer we borrowed from Loughborough Students. Not sure we'll bring him in again though he was a good sevens player. Farnworth may be to big now, he's supposed to be converting to hooker from backrow so may well have added more mass than is ideal for a sevens run out .

Be interesting to see. Would be nice to see a speedster or two break through the academy Into the first team.

Sam do you actually create any hookers from scratch at Leicester...or is every hooker just a converted something else   

[formerly known as Sam]

Apparently not. Not sure Farnworth will make it (bit of a penalty machine from what I've seen). Thacker on the other hand may be both a big success at hooker and available for the sevens.

[Welly]

Some sevens news

 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Sevens-perfect-chance-shine-Tigers-audition/story-22016234-detail/story.html

But Murphy is hoping this year's squad, which is also littered with trialists, responds to the task in a similar way.
"We have not had a huge amount of time with the guys this year," said Murphy.
"But we will meet up, have a chat about it and play with a smile on our faces.
"We will have some guys on trial including a Fijian who used to be in Gloucester's Academy who we want to have a look at.
"Blaine Scully obviously did very well last season. He came over for a couple of weeks and had a stormer and, as a result, he is still sticking around.
"The make-up of the side is similar to last year, with some young players on trial.
"George Catchpole (centre) is in there. A World Cup winner with the Under-20s and (scrum-half) George Tresidder is in there, too.


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Sevens-perfect-chance-shine-Tigers-audition/story-22016234-detail/story.html#ixzz38wkuBaxM



 

 Moody giving his 2 cents worth don't agree with any TBH sounds like sour grapes and bigging up his best mate:

 http://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/featured-post/17611/now-moody-joins-in-the-criticisms-of-cockerill/

Senior scrum-halves set a high bar, says Tresidder

[formerly known as Sam]

Moody has had an axe to grind ever since he left. He still feels slighted over Tigers contract offer he turned down before he went to Bath. He felt he'd paid his dues and was owed a big contract. With his injury and international status Cockers refused knowing the salary cap position. Hence the fall out and bitterness.

Sevens squad to be announced tomorrow lunchtime.

[Welly]

Also Mulipola arrived back with his twins Louis and Valentino again congrats to him and Ines Castrogiovanni, hope we have a pre-contract agreed with them.


 Some more info on the coaches summer trips, mainly Blaze working with the bulls.

 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/ve-chance-work-best-world/story-22043315-detail/story.html

"The main thing for me from the trip was to be able to sit down with Victor Matfield and see what his philosophy was towards the line-out," said Blaze.
"It was fascinating to hear his point of view.
"The Bulls were really accommodating. Frans Ludeke, their head coach, had an itinerary for me on day one and said I would spend an hour with each coach during my time there.
"He also set me a task near the end of the week by getting me to devise a plan on how the Tigers could beat the Bulls using what I had learned about their strengths and weaknesses.
"I found it all very interesting. You go to other places and they say 'stand over there and watch us'. But this was different."
Blaze set-up the trip after becoming friendly with former Tigers and Bulls head coach, and now South African boss, Heyneke Meyer and he also used his friendship with former conditioning coach Ollie Richardson to spend two days with the Queensland Reds who were on tour in Durban.


Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/ve-chance-work-best-world/story-22043315-detail/story.html#ixzz392LmLVA0

[formerly known as Sam]

1 Will Owen
2 Jake Farnworth
3 Tomi Jones
4 George Catchpole
5 Rhys Williams
6 George Tresidder
7 Josh Fowles
8 Andy Bulumakau
9 Phil Woodhead
10 David Williams
11 Oli Bryant
12 Dan Rundle

Good to see the Williams boys and Bryant involved. Might need to see who some of those lads are, I suspect a few trialists. Thacker and Pohe are presumably with the first team. Would have liked to see Thacker some younger brother Charlie in the squad but I think he's on an England age grade tour.

[Welly]

1 Will Owen
2 Jake Farnworth
3 Tomi Jones
4 George Catchpole
5 Rhys Williams
6 George Tresidder
7 Josh Fowles
8 Andy Bulumakau
9 Phil Woodhead
10 David Williams
11 Oli Bryant
12 Dan Rundle

Good to see the Williams boys and Bryant involved. Might need to see who some of those lads are, I suspect a few trialists. Thacker and Pohe are presumably with the first team. Would have liked to see Thacker some younger brother Charlie in the squad but I think he's on an England age grade tour.

 Thanks Sam will add to OP.

 Interesting squad.

 Suppose Pohe and Thacker will be looking at the pre-season games more.

 Bulumakau was the former glous lad on trial.

[formerly known as Sam]

Tomi Jones seems to be a sevens specialist.

Josh Fowles seems to have appeared for Sale in the JP7s last season.

Woodhead seems to have some sevens experience and has played for England counties.

Rundle is a winger for Coventry.

Quick Google search throws that up. Looks interesting. As you say the Fiji an lad won it last year with Glaws.

[Welly]

Really impressive after the first game:

 Tresidder showed lots of pace I didn't know he had and looks a very exciting prospect @ 9 made a bad mistake in the Falcons game but in a team that has had a very small time together he looked promising imo.

 Fowles looked a very strong and powerful player, interesting he is apparently 28, reckon a Championship side should look at him.
  Rundle, Jones and Woodhead had speed to burn.

 Bulumakau imo I would offer a 1 year deal and try and polish his raw ability could potentially have a goneva like impact imo if worked on.

 Catchpole led well and showed off his attacking skill showed a great step for 1 try.

 Bryant, Williams, Farnworth all were solid.

 Another week together and who knows.

 Really happy with that.

[formerly known as Sam]

I thought the young lads did us proud. No one had a bad tournament and at some point all showed at least a flash of what they could do.

Shame Fowles is 28 (I thought he was a youngster) if he was in his early twenties he'd be worth a contract. Could be a good signing for Notts who are in need of a centre.

Tresidder looks like he's got a bit of magi about him. Could be another Ben Youngs. Liked what I saw of Bryant, powerful for a ten and composed on the ball. I'd bet he can boss a back line in fifteens. Catchpole looked a lot more agile than last season and has lost the strapping he used to sport round his knee. A good sign.

I'd give the Fijian and Woodhead contracts. They seem to have something about them and with a bit more coaching from Murphy might untap that potential.

Another good year of coaching from Murphy as well. We've certainly Improved since he started bossing the sevens outfit.

[king_carlos]

Ayerza and Matera both named in Azzuri squad for their 1st Rugby Championship game on 16th August.

Agulla and Amorosino from squads of old also selected.

[Welly]

Good and bad

 Bad to see Ayerza called up as Rizzo may be called up for the AI which would leave us thin at LH.

 But good that Matera will know Argentina are looking at despite playing in England and not starting.

 Glad that Ayerza though is called up would have been a travesty that one of the worlds top LH wasn't in the squad.

[Welly]

Changes to the 7's squad

Leicester Tigers squad (Premiership Rugby Sevens Series Finals)
1 Will Owen
2 Jake Farnworth
3 Gary Dipple
4 Ben Frankland
5 Rhys Williams
6 George Tresidder (c)
7 Josh Fowles
8 Andy Bulumakau
9 Phil Woodhead
10 David Williams
11 Oli Bryant
12 Dan Rundle

 Catchpole isn't injured I take it must be so he can focus on the XV's as he will get game time in the pre-season.

[Welly]

Also updated Development squad for 2014/15 added to OP:
 
 
 Development Players 2014/15:
 Oliver Bryant, George Catchpole, Jake Farnworth, Tom Hudson, Ed Milne, Will Owen, Aniseko Sio, George Tresidder, Rhys Williams.

 Nice to see players being brought all imo very capable of being AP class players.

 Expect to see these guys feature heavily in the "A" league and LV Cup games.

 With this in mind would expect a LV cup team of:
 1) Bristow
 2) Thacker
 3) Pasquali
 4) De Cheves
 5) Price
 6) Gibson
 7) Owen
 8) Pearce
 9) Harrison
10) Bai
11) R.Williams
12) Pohe
13) Catchpole
14) Camacho
15) Hamilton

16) Briggs
17) Brugnara
18) Sio
19) Maksymiw (?)
20) Milne
21) Tresidder
22) Bryant
23) Hudson/D.Williams

 Also updated Academy Squad.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd have thought Balmain will start the LV with Pasquali on the bench. Sio is a loosehead so he'll probably on the bench with Pasquali.

Hope to see a good bunch of the young lads being given development contracts. I want to sew Bryant involved in a combination with Tresidder I think that'll work nicely in LV games. Though probably off the bench.

Google informs me Dipple is a Stourbridge fly half with sevens experience. Who is Ben Frankland seems to be a centre/flanker who plays for Tynedale.

[Welly]

Going off the assumption that Cole will either be injuryed or not 100% Come the first 2 LV cup games are then so Balmain will be 2nd choice and thus to high up to play in the LV. Also think his role start of season will be more.

 Sio does indeed play loosehead just wondering if Tigers could do a mulipola with him.

 Just cant see Balmain playing in the first LV cup games whilst Cole is out, esp with Mulipola playing for Samoa.

[formerly known as Sam]

Depends how much Balmain has played up to that point. They've got to give him game time to develop him and keep him. His contract is up next summer and if we wrap him in cotton wool so we have a fit reserve another AP club will quickly snap him up with the offer of significant game time. The likes of Quins or Wasps would love to have Balmain as an option.

With Cole due to be back in playing condition by November I'd have thought that Balmain would have been given further opportunities though maybe they'll use the LV to give Cole match fitness.

[Welly]

True guess we will see, really hope Balmain gets around 20 mins a game at least, (with some exceptions).

 Really looking forward to Bristow and Balmain playing more.

[formerly known as Sam]

Balmain looked strong at the end of last season. Took apart Gill and then Johnston at WR. Be interesting to see whether Bristow or Sio get the back up job with Ayerza playing for Argentina. Certainly be good to see more Leicester academy guys break into the first team.

[Welly]

Would expect Bristow to be back up whilst ayerza is away.

Bristow has the edge due to the amount of AP games he played with Welsh.

[Welly]

The new Tigers kit:

[formerly known as Sam]

Looks like a training kit. It's slowly growing on me.

[Ozzy3213]

Well us Irish fans got our first look at Scott Steele in a 15 a side game yesterday and I was very impressed.  He helped put real tempo into our play and looks like a really good player.  Am a little surprised you guys let him go to be honest.

[formerly known as Sam]

Very skillful but tended to be hesitant and a bit light physically. Didn't suit the Tigers game. Definitely fourth choice and with Tressider becoming increasingly an eye catching talent we were happy to use the cap elsewhere. Nice to see he's doing well at LI. Thought he might be a good fit there.

We still have England and Lions Ben Youngs, when fit the best 9 on he country (annoyingly fitness has been an issue the last couple of seasons). David Mele a quality nine with experience and tenacity. Sam Harrison a local lad with a pass like a missile and that much loved by our coaches abrasive nature.

[Ozzy3213]

Most definitely wasn't hesitant yesterday, he was getting to the back of the rucks quickly and getting the ball away at pace.  There was a noticeable decrease in tempo in our game when he was replaced by Allinson.  I think he will be a good for us.

[Welly]

I always like Steele (I wouldn't have had him over mele or youngs or even harrison but they are all experianced)

I think he will thrive at irish it's a young team and I think he will benefit at this stage for not having the pressure he would get at tigers,

Glad to hear he is doing well.

[Ozzy3213]

I suspect he will get plenty of game time with us which can only be good for his development.

[formerly known as Sam]

It should bring the best out of him. LI play a fluent game based on skill and speed and Steele has those attributes. I guess he looked hesitant because he wasn't getting the exposure for Tigers having trained more with the LI first team with more time spent acclimatising him to the routines he'll look more comfortable. You'll give your second choice 9 more prep time than your fourth choice who'll only be looking at the LV.

I think the move was exactly what he needed. Think Tresidder Is a better fit for Tigers in that his style seems to be more aligned to Ben Youngs. Hopefully Steele will kick on the Scotland nine shirt is there for the taking if he shines at LI.

[Welly]

So the next game is:

 Sat Aug 16th 15:00: Nottingham v Leicester Tigers @ Lady Bay Sports Ground, Nottingham's training ground, in West Bridgford.

 Anyone want to have a early guess at the Team sheet.

[formerly known as Sam]

Bristow, Ghilrildini, Balmain
de Chaves, Kitchener
Gibson, Crane, Barbieri
Harrison, Bai
Pohe, Smith
Thompstone, Morris, Loamano

The England boys will have been off for their pre season analysis at Loughborough Uni so we'll probably see the coaches having a wider look at the squad. I expect a lot of subs to be used.

[Welly]

You don't think Croft will start?

 Suppose with Williams banned and Burns being with England will feature against Edinburgh, would leave Heptema as the 10 cover unless Bryant will be given a shot.

 Usually they have a complete 2nd team with a extra hooker and prop on the bench for the early preseason games.

[formerly known as Sam]

Croft is named among the England fifty odd that are in Loughborough for the fitness tests. I think those players are likely to be given this game off given their are three more to come.

I think we'll see use of a big bench for this game. Mele, Harrison and Bryant could all come in at 10. Harrison played 10 for twenty odd mins against Notts a couple of years back. Apparently his place kicking was pretty good. We usually give all the players going to Notts on DR a run out if fit so Brugnara, Pasquali, Thacker, Pohe, Catchpole and Price are all likely to see some action as you'd assume they are candidates for DR. Maybe Owen will get a run out if Salvi is rested for this one.

[Welly]

Yeh didn't know about the England squad until after the post.

 I suppose there only is really 2 games after this as one is a double header.

 Whats I really like this year is our 7 strength now.

 Salvi
 Matera
 Barbieri
 Gibson
 and also Owen

 When was the last time we had that sort of strength at 7.

[formerly known as Sam]

Been a few years since we had both Newby and Moody on the books. Matera needs a lot of polishing.

[Welly]

I will never forget having to watch Leicester play at Toulouse with a back row of:

 6) Mafi
 7) Waldrom
 8) Crane

 The most unbalanced back row I have seen at tigers in a game of that size.

[LondonTiger]

I will never forget having to watch Leicester play at Toulouse with a back row of:

 6) Mafi
 7) Waldrom
 8) Crane

 The most unbalanced back row I have seen at tigers in a game of that size.

Indeed, yet interestingly the very next week the same back row dominated Ospreys with Waldrom completely outplaying Tipuric.

[Welly]

Intersting news from the Open day:

 Apparently Benjamin is fully fit but cant play till October due to the injury dispensation.

 And Cole is training, and apparently could feature in a pre-season game for a limited time (a well respected poster on another forum said Burke told him).

[formerly known as Sam]

Good news for Benjamin to be back in action. Shame he's stuck watching with the injury dispensation regulations.

Hope Cole is eased in slowly it would be dreadful if there was a reoccurrence and be ended up missing more time.

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