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]

We have Pearce coming through he's a brute of an 8. We need a more dynamic 8 than Crane anyway.

Matera is off at the end of the season and we've been very lucky with flanker injuries (Croft being the exception). Dusetoir is quality at either six or seven. He operates in the lineout and he's a leader. He's getting on so he's not going to be a play every week kind of guy. Be the perfect example to Owen, Beckett and Milne. Be perfect for the big games.

My only concern would be if Thacker is going to convert to 7 then this could impact on the amount of game time he gets. Thacker is a HUGE prospect at either seven or hooker. We need to develop him through into the first team.

[king_carlos]

Yappy - I thought Spies was looking at a move to Japan.

Surely signing Dusautoir wouldn't leave enough room in the cap for us to look for a more dynamic 8 though fkas?

If Thacker stays at hooker he'll at least be getting a lot of game time at the start of the season with Youngs and Ghirildini both away on RWC duty. I agree he needs to play as much as possible whether at hooker or openside.

In fact the World Cup is going to put BIG strain on the front row with Ayerza, Cole and Mulipola almost certain to be away and Rizzo a possibility as well.

1.Rizzo, Bristow, Brugnara
2.Thacker, Farnworth - Am I right in saying that Briggs is moving?
3.Balmain, Pasquali, Sio

[Geordie]

Why is Thacker being considered for a move to 7?

I confess ive never seen much of him at all but I have heard the arguments over his size. Would that be a reason for the change?

[king_carlos]

Whilst many feel he's too small for hooker the Tigers management certainly haven't ever shown concerns with it so I don't think it will be that GF. I've never been a fan of the obsession with bulk as long as a player is powerful enough for the position which I feel Thacker is, so for what it's worth I think he could make it in either position.

For one thing 7 would be an easier route to first team action at Tigers however with Youngs and Ghirildini already there at hooker.

I think a fair few people feel his skill set would be better suited to 7 as well where he could get his hands on the ball in open play more and act as a link man. I'd actually love to see him in this role as for all the obsession with 'fetching' in my view the skill of a back rower linking with the backs is being lost. Given his hands, power and turn of pace Thacker could be very potent in that role. Plus his work rate is already very good and given his low centre of gravity he is strong over the ball.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Obviously the management do have an issue or he wouldn't be playing 7?

[king_carlos]

He first played at 7 in a A-team game a couple of weeks back due to injury problems in the back row and reportedly played well hence the increasing speculation Sgt.

There hasn't been any indication from the management that they feel he isn't capable at hooker that I know of.

[king_carlos]

On a different note you may be interested in GF and Sgt - bit of Chinese whispers here I accept but bear with me!

I was chatting with a good friend (and bloke I trust) the other day who went to school with Will Welch and has been friends with him much of his life due to their families being close. According to Mr Welch, Tigers have tried to sign him on 2 separate occasions now at the end of the last couple of seasons and been rejected because he wants to stay with his boyhood club.

I accept it's not exactly a verifiable source there but felt it's an interesting fact given I hadn't heard it before as a Tigers fan. Plus a bit of loyalty like that to the club which brought you into the game often goes amiss these days!

[Geordie]

Well if any team knows how to produce front rowers and tough forwards then its tigers....but I do still think bulk in certain positions is important. Players can be strong but if you are facing a guy who is equally strong but has 2 stone on you then its an issue.

However as ive never seen him play properly its not fair to judge him.

Be interesting to see his reviews at 7 though if he is as skilled as so many keep saying.

[Geordie]

Carlos,

With regards to Welch...its an interesting one. Im not sure he would leave. He's captain and only young. He's not likely to make England level even at Tigers so im not sure why he would move.

Aside from that IF he did....Andy Saul is playing far better this season and should be starting anyway and we have a couple of absolute corking 7's coming through the academy...not to mention Dan Temm who is a 25 yo Kiwi and has been a revelation in the A side aswell....

So we would cope.

[formerly known as Sam]

Thacker scored a hattrick for the A team against Saints last weekend. Played very well in the second half against Sale in the LV at seven as well. I think it's just an option they are looking at the minute. His size hasn't been an issue so far as he chops the big guys down at the knee and in attack tends to burst through gaps in the defence and tends to commit two or three defenders. In some respects he's reminiscent of Back which is what is exciting a lot of the Tigers fans.

He's also captaining the A team this season.

Welch has been a Tigers target for a while. I've heard the rumours are few times but they were always only that.

[Welly]

Leicester Tigers to host Argentina 5th September in the Marcos Ayerza Testimonial Challenge.
 
 Tickets will be:

 Match tickets will be priced £25 adults and £10 juniors for seating, £22 and £8 terrace, and will be on sale from the Tigers ticket office soon.

 Excellent pricing!!!!!!!!

 Urge everyone to try and get down to watch this and support Ayerza.


http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/21576.php#.VKmanRGzUdU

[formerly known as Sam]

Having not got any RWC tickets this might do the job nicely.

[formerly known as Sam]

Thacker named player of the month for December. Voted for by the fans, he's becoming quite a favourite.

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/21577.php#.VKm-X8lFDqA

[Welly]

Williams turned down WRU contract and is set to sign with Leicester in the next few days

 http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Owen-Williams-set-sign-new-deal-Leicester-Tigers/story-25804213-detail/story.html

[maestegmafia]

Great news for Wales in many ways, as he will be playing at club that will certainly be competing in Europe each year. I hope he manages to wrangle a release clause like George North so that he can play for Wales. Tigers must be pretty keen to hold on to him so I hope they offer it.

It is a shame for English rugby that another non-Englishman is taking a pivotal role at a major club. And ahead of a highly rated internationally experienced and england qualified player like Freddie Burns.

Do you think Burns will now move?

[Welly]

We will see about Burns but ATM doubt he would start at most competaative AP sides.

 Maybe Quins.

 Mauger will hopefully give Burns some confidence back, but could see him leaving next season potentially.

[Sgt_Pooly]

I really thought Tigers would be the making of Burns but he's just failed to deliver. An on form Burns is a better player than Williams imo but he's really struggled to settle. We'll take him at Falcons if you like?

[Welly]

He has progressed imo played well against Sale but he is prone to some odd decisions though.

 His goal kicking looked a lot sharper against Sale than it has the last 1 and 1/2 years.

 As said Mauger will be the key factor for me.

[formerly known as Sam]

Burns knew he'd have to compete for his place when he joined. Hopefully he'll stay and compete. He's got another year on his contract. He has improved this season but is still adapting to Tigers. I think he'll come good.

[HammerofThunor]

Personally, I write off any players first season with a new club and expect nothing from. Hopefully they're able to start showing good by the end of it.

[Welly]

Kitchener has signed a new deal !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/21596.php#.VKvbBRGzUdV

[LondonTiger]

Good news

[Geordie]

Leicester sign 6ft 8 20 Stone 23 year old American lock forward Greg Peterson till end of season.

[formerly known as Sam]

He made his debut off the bench against Sale the other week. He's played a bit of A league as well. We're clearly after some added bulk in the pack. Whetton and Peterson here on trial until the end of the season with Mike Williams rumoured to be joining in the summer. All 18 stone plus.

[Welly]

Balmain has now signed a new contract!!!!!!!

[Welly]

Key points from RL I terms of back rom stuff.

 Cohen confirms we are in talks with Dusautoir, but we need to see what Tait, Parling, Croft, Salvi are doing before able to announce signings, So we could replace one with the "Marquee player". IMO if Parling does go and either Croft or Salvi goes suspect we might get Dusautoir and Albacete in (Which although would be a shame losing such players they would both be handy replacements.

 He expects at least one to go due to law of averages reasons, It just what happens in this era of rugby.
 
 Standing by Camacho (And to right) he has a great attitude just bad luck ATM, Also I doubt he is on much at all.

 And Sadly Cohen pretty much confirming Deaconhas most likly played his last game.


 The new clubhouse stand sounds pretty much a go ahead to be redeveloped. se the planning application online. Increase attendance to 26,000 also total capacity of re-development has dropped to around 28,000.

 

 Cockers is delighted to have signed Kitchener, Balmain and Owen.

 WRU have been talking with Leicester have said Owen does still have a chance to play for Wale despite staying @ Leicester.

 All 3 a part of the clubs future.

 Negotiations landscape changed, not easy. There will be some tough choices to make!

 Slowly getting to where we like to be in terms of signings etc.


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

[Welly]

Also Mulipola and Croft Will be included in the squad against Quins. (Hopefully that is true)

[HammerofThunor]

And Sadly Cohen pretty much confirming he has most lily played his last game.

Who? Camacho? There was a bit about attendence between that's confused me.

[Welly]

And Sadly Cohen pretty much confirming he has most lily played his last game.

Who? Camacho? There was a bit about attendence between that's confused me.

 Speed typing so made so mistakes it seem as typing whilst listening to it.

 Deacon was the player.

 The attendance was put in wrong place.

[HammerofThunor]

Cheers. Shame for Deacon but it's not a huge surprise. He was one of those unfashionable but vital players.

[Welly]

Thacker, Brugnara and Pasquali

 Have signed new deals now!!!!!!!

 http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/21604.php#.VK549RGzUdU

[formerly known as Sam]

I think Cockers summed up Deacon when he said if you put Deacon into the pack then everyone in that pack will play 10% better. He didn't go in for big hits or monster carries but he did everything well particularly in the tight exchanges. Be a loss and shame the fans can't give him a roaring send off.

Camacho will be ok if he can ever play again. Hopefully he'll be a cheap option.

[LondonTiger]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-unveil-latest-8-million-phase/story-25819129-detail/story.html

Some details on plans for Clubhouse end.

[nathan]

Mate will have a new office then, better than the green she'd like thing she works in at the moment

[Welly]

Leicester Tigers (v Harlequins, The Twickenham Stoop, Saturday 3.15pm)
15 Mathew Tait
14 Adam Thompstone
13 Vereniki Goneva
12 Anthony Allen
11 Miles Benjamin
10 Owen Williams
9 Ben Youngs (c)
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs
3 Fraser Balmain
4 Graham Kitchener
5 Geoff Parling
6 Tom Croft
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane

Replacements
16 Leonardo Ghiraldini
17 Michele Rizzo
18 Logovi'i Mulipola
19 Sebastian De Chaves
20 Jamie Gibson
21 Sam Harrison
22 Freddie Burns
23 Seremaia Bai

[lostinwales]

Mate will have a new office then, better than the green shed like thing she works in at the moment

Finally worked it out..

[LondonTiger]

Leicester Tigers (v Harlequins, The Twickenham Stoop, Saturday 3.15pm)

Good to see Croft and Logo featuring. Do wonder the odds on actually seeing that 23 actually turn up though.


Harlequins team
15. Mike Brown
14. Marland Yarde
13. Matt Hopper
12. George Lowe
11. Ugo Monye
10. Ben Botica
9. Danny Care

1. Joe Marler©
2. Joe Gray
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Charlie Matthews
5. George Robson
6. Jack Clifford
7. Chris Robshaw
8. Nick Easter

16. Rob Buchanan
17. Darryl Marfo
18. Will Collier
19. Sam Twomey
20. Joe Trayfoot
21. Karl Dickson
22. Tim Swiel
23. Tom Williams

[Welly]

Only the 2nd time Leicester have fielded the same backline 2 weeks in a row this season.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well the lineout should be good for Tigers with those three to aim for. Another stern test in the scrum for Balmain. Marler isn't as explosive as James but his technique is better, he'll need to show his technical skills to allow Ayerza to do the damage on the other side.

[nathan]

Mate will have a new office then, better than the green shed like thing she works in at the moment

Finally worked it out..

haha, sorry for some reason the ipad decided it wanted to auto correct it.

[sirtidychris]

As neutral would love to see Croft playing well again after a torrid couple of years and im sure lancs will be watching this one closely with Marler, Youngs, Parling, Croft, Robshaw, Youngs, Yarde, Brown all playing.

[Poorfour]

Don't forget Care - I imagine he will be watching out for Clifford, too (ex England U20 captain and a very exciting prospect for 2019).

And whether he's watching out for him or not, I bet Nick Easter make his case once again.

[LondonTiger]

Don't forget Care - I imagine he will be watching out for Clifford, too (ex England U20 captain and a very exciting prospect for 2019).

And whether he's watching out for him or not, I bet Nick Easter make his case once again.

From a club point of view, I am hoping that Easter, Robshaw and Brown play as well as they did at WR. Will not happen though.

I am hoping that we again see a ref who will not let Quins step sideways at scrum time. amazed it has taken about 3 seasons for refs to spot this. A ref that also misses our illegalities will be nice

[Ozzy3213]

Don't forget Care - I imagine he will be watching out for Clifford, too (ex England U20 captain and a very exciting prospect for 2019).

And whether he's watching out for him or not, I bet Nick Easter make his case once again.

From a club point of view, I am hoping that Easter, Robshaw and Brown play as well as they did at WR. Will not happen though.

I am hoping that we again see a ref who will not let Quins step sideways at scrum time. amazed it has taken about 3 seasons for refs to spot this. A ref that also misses our illegalities will be nice

That's all of them isn't it?!

[Heaf]

You want JPD from last night then - he missed loads of crooked throws, knock ons etc - or rather he saw the knock ons but bizarrely said the they went backwards when it was clear and obvious at least 2 went forwards - I think he's beyond even Spec Savers help.

[formerly known as Sam]

He was very forgiving in the crooked throws last night. I suspect he was trying to get play going and was allowing for the wind. If it was half as bad in Gloucestershire as it was here in Leicestershire last night throwing in must have been tough.

[Welly]

Well let's forgot about this weekend Scarlets on Friday.

 We need a TBP win to stay in with a chance.
scarlets are without
 Liam Williams (shoulder), Samson Lee (neck) and Gareth Davies (knee) as well as South African lock Joe Snyman (shoulder) and wing Michael Tagicakiabu (hamstring), Owens and more.

 We have a chance if we actually learn to execute well enough.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Well let's forgot about this weekend Scarlets on Friday.

 We need a TBP win to stay in with a chance.
scarlets are without
 Liam Williams (shoulder), Samson Lee (neck) and Gareth Davies (knee) as well as South African lock Joe Snyman (shoulder) and wing Michael Tagicakiabu (hamstring), Owens and more.

 We have a chance if we actually learn to execute well enough.

Scarlets are missing -:

Samson Lee (1st Choice TH)
Rhodri Jones (2st Choice TH)
Ken Owens (1st Choice Hooker)
Emyr Phillips (2nd Choice Hooker)
Kirby Myhill (3rd Choice Hooker)
Phil John (2nd Choice LH)
Joe Snyman (1st Choice Lock)
Richard Kelly (4th Choice Lock)

Seeing as our strength has been our tight five this season, and our backs have been hit and miss (more miss away from home), a 5pt win should be well within range for the Tigers.

[LondonTiger]

Tigers are pants though SS

[formerly known as Sam]

We're at home so we have a shot. We are pretty dire away from WR. Will still be a big ask for us to score that many tries.

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