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:

[Welly]

Allen may be out if so Bai will prob start at 12.

 Our best shot at TBP imo is to play the territories and knock on all the time and try and scrum them to the try line

 TBH the team that played got a TBP win away. Just need to be clever.

[Welly]

Slater could be fit by the Exeter Home game in March.

[ScarletSpiderman]

Allen may be out if so Bai will prob start at 12.

 Our best shot at TBP imo is to play the territories and knock on all the time and try and scrum them to the try line

 TBH the team that played got a TBP win away. Just need to be clever.

4 pen tries, that would be one for the history books.

[LondonTiger]

Who would buy the beers if PT got a hat-trick? the ref?

[BamBam]

Slater could be fit by the Exeter Home game in March.

Excellent news, might give him enough games to challenge for England

[bluestonevedder]

Slater could be fit by the Exeter Home game in March.

Excellent news, might give him enough games to challenge for England

That would be great. We could really do with his carrying power.

[Welly]

Matthew Tait signing confirmed by Bayonne président Merin

 .

[LondonTiger]

Shame - but cannot begrudge him the chance of a decent retirement pot

[yappysnap]

How old is Tait?

He could go to France for a while and still come back and play in the Jeff afterwards.

[nathan]

Matthew Tait signing confirmed by Bayonne président Merin

 .

Shame to see him go, always thought very highly of the lad. When he's had a run of games he shows what he's capable of.

[The Saint]

He still has nightmares of Gavin Henson.

[LondonTiger]

How old is Tait?

He could go to France for a while and still come back and play in the Jeff afterwards.

Younger than Ben foden and Mike Brown

[HammerofThunor]

He still has nightmares of Gavin Henson.

Who?

[nathan]

He still has nightmares of Gavin Henson.

Who?

the lad who's about to go play in the championship..

[The Saint]

He still has nightmares of Gavin Henson.

Who?

the lad who's about to go play in the championship..

You must be pretty sure of:

a. Gavin Henson going to Bristol.
b. Bristol NOT getting promoted next season.

If you delve deeper into your crystal ball then maybe you can find the likelihood of Henson coming to my team (Dragons). He'd be a welcome addition.

[nathan]

He still has nightmares of Gavin Henson.

Who?

the lad who's about to go play in the championship..

You must be pretty sure of:

a. Gavin Henson going to Bristol.
b. Bristol NOT getting promoted next season.

If you delve deeper into your crystal ball then maybe you can find the likelihood of Henson coming to my team (Dragons). He'd be a welcome addition.

So still at championship level then

[The Saint]

He still has nightmares of Gavin Henson.

Who?

the lad who's about to go play in the championship..

You must be pretty sure of:

a. Gavin Henson going to Bristol.
b. Bristol NOT getting promoted next season.

If you delve deeper into your crystal ball then maybe you can find the likelihood of Henson coming to my team (Dragons). He'd be a welcome addition.

So still at championship level then

?

[nathan]

i was joking that the Dragons are at Championship level, i'm not sure how you didn't get that...

[The Saint]

i was joking that the Dragons are at Championship level, i'm not sure how you didn't get that...

Well it was a bad joke without substance. Good luck with your crystal ball guide and your million injuries versus the Scarlets.

[nathan]

i was joking that the Dragons are at Championship level, i'm not sure how you didn't get that...

Well it was a bad joke without substance. Good luck with your crystal ball guide and your million injuries versus the Scarlets.

Jeez, you must be a great person to be around. Cheer up!

[HammerofThunor]

Who would replace Tait next season? Bell? Or is he mainly backup at 10? Or will they be bringing someone else in?

Good news about Slater, although hopefully too much expectation won't get heaped on him. He seems to have been out for a long while.

[The Saint]

i was joking that the Dragons are at Championship level, i'm not sure how you didn't get that...

Well it was a bad joke without substance. Good luck with your crystal ball guide and your million injuries versus the Scarlets.

Jeez, you must be a great person to be around. Cheer up!

Nathan, seems a bit of a rich statement when all you do is whinge about other posters and their comments. My original comment about Tait was meant in a lighthearted manner but it got some crap retorts. Your banter is just s*it tbh!

[Guest]

Will be a shame to see Tait go. We'll no doubt get excited about possible replacements but I just can't see the club finding someone who has Tait's quality and will be available all year without spending more than they are now.

Great news about the possibility of Ed being involved this season though, could be a huge lift for the team if he gets on the pitch.

Who would replace Tait next season? Bell? Or is he mainly backup at 10?  Or will they be bringing someone else in?

Morris would become first choice. He's been on the wing for a while but he's more a natural FB. Bell has a lot of potential but still very raw, I'd be slightly nervous seeing him start against the bigger teams.

[formerly known as Sam]

Bell is solely a 15 for Tigers. His kicking game us an asset but his positioning is hit and miss. Morris is a quality player but has been beset by injuries and there are rumours he's heading back to Ireland.

We've got a decent full back in the academy but he's a bit young. Burns could cover there as well but I doubt that's what he wants.

Someone with Tait's skill set and versatility will not be easily available. I was hoping he'd stay longer after how well the club looked after him but with no interest from Lancaster and more money overseas I understand why he's gone. That and he likes gardening so the South of France will be perfect for that.

[LondonTiger]

I think Tommy Bell could develop into a really good FB, and his goal kicking could relieve some of the pressure on Burns.


Separate note, they announced just before KO Friday that there were just 300 tickets remaining for LV match vs Saints.

[nathan]

heard from a friend who works at the Tigers that the new stand isn't even signed off yet, so the Leicester Mercury may have been jumping the gun a little

[yappysnap]

Was the Scarlets game poorly attended? I thought I noticed lots of empty seats around the ground which is surprising for a big Euro match, do Tigers fans not like Friday nights?

[Welly]

Was the Scarlets game poorly attended? I thought I noticed lots of empty seats around the ground which is surprising for a big Euro match, do Tigers fans not like Friday nights?

Yeh pretty much Night games are hard for a lot of people to get to at times.

 Anyway Leicester have been linked to Le roux as Tait replacement (Won't happen), and Fonua is close to signing (COuld well happen)

 Also Murphy has had talks with Wasps as new backs attack coach (Not sure on this TBH).

[formerly known as Sam]

Andy Goode has already been offered Jones job for next season. Don't see Murphy leaving after such a short time as a coach at Tigers.

Fonua is reportedly a gentleman's agreement that he'll join at the end of the season. He's the kind of big ball carrier we need.

Attendance at just under 19,000 for the Scarlets game. Not surprised with that. The weather is frigging cold, it's mid January when no one has cash and we're playing some pretty iffy rugby.

[Welly]

Croft, Tom Youngs, Ed Slater and Williams are doing a AMA (Ask me anything) on Reddit tomorrow (3-2PM)

 http://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/comments/2smtre/we_are_doing_an_ama_monday_19th_afternoon_tom/

[Guest]

While I'm sure I'll get involved in it I have to agree with the guy who said it'll probably be a bit of a bland affair. Answers will be the kind of PR approved sound bites we've become used to in interviews and I doubt we'll see any truthful answers to controversial questions. Especially as they are doing this as ambassadors for a company rather than their own genuine attempt to connect with rugby fans. Do not be surprised if you see any questions from newly created accounts that lead to answers about products which just happen to be available on the rugby store website.

If you do read it the Reddit Enhancement Suite extension helps a lot with the formatting of the site.

[Welly]

No doubt that will happen.

 Was going to say reddit looks confusing.

[LondonTiger]

Was the Scarlets game poorly attended? I thought I noticed lots of empty seats around the ground which is surprising for a big Euro match, do Tigers fans not like Friday nights?

Our Euro attendances are always lower than premiership (and now LV too). Friday night is tough to do, though perhaps tougher for me than most. Very few away fans were present. Temp stand is usually sold to them and it was empty, while the block of about 100 seats a few rows behind me that are also allocated to away teams were also empty. Only audible scarlets fans were on the terrace.

Also i counted at least 10 ST holders who sit near me who were absent.

[Welly]

Some transfer news from the Merc.

The rumour mill is in full swing. While it looks like Mat Tait and Geoff Parling are certain to leave, Julian Salvi's future is up in the air and Northampton Saints are apparently after Jamie Gibson. London Welsh's huge No.8 Opeti Fonua is expected to arrive at Welford Road next season but flanker Pablo Matera may not return and could play in Argentina. Tom Croft is out of contract but Niall Morris is expected to sign a new one. For those worried there are few new signings on the horizon, do not expect Aaron Mauger to arrive empty-handed from New Zealand.

3 Scrum-half Sam Harrison is out of contract this summer and there will be few more popular deals done if he stays. The 24-year-old Hinckley lad has been nothing short of superb this season. He has put his body on the line for the badge and his distribution from rucks is as good as anyone in the league. The trouble is, Sam has done his time as a third-choice scrum-half and could start at several Premiership clubs. You imagine he has a tough choice ahead of him.

Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Martin-Crowson-s-things-favours-big-win-needed/story-25892194-detail/story.html#ixzz3PLzpTeUy
Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook


To me I can't see Gibson going to Saints and I cant see Harrison going yet (IMO he is clear 2nd choice pushing youngs for 1st choice) but as said he could be a starter at most clubs.

[Geordie]

London Welsh's huge No.8 Opeti Fonua is expected to arrive at Welford Road next season

I was hoping he would go unnoticed...and we could nab him....exactly the type of player we are missing in the pack.

[Welly]

London Welsh's huge No.8 Opeti Fonua is expected to arrive at Welford Road next season

I was hoping he would go unnoticed...and we could nab him....exactly the type of player we are missing in the pack.

We were apparently after him last season if Bayonne had gotten relegated it sounded like he would come to us.

Although things didn't work out for them later on either.

[Welly]

Conifrmed by cockers Tait is going.
Read more: http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-Mat-Tait-join-Bayonne-end-season/story-25894196-detail/story.html#ixzz3POMSIv5z
Follow us: @Leicester_Merc on Twitter | leicestermercury on Facebook

[formerly known as Sam]

Harrison is above Mele. It would be a real shame to lose Harrison he practically bleeds Green, Red and White. He isn't international quality but he is easily AP quality and we should be looking to retain him long term.

From the interviews I've heard Salvi doesn't want to move his family out of Leicestershire as they are settled. Saints are keeping tabs on Gibson as Dowson has yet to agree a new deal.

[Welly]

If Gibson goes I reckon Salvi and Croft are staying or we have a big name coming in the back row.
Would be disappointed but is replaceable would like to see Beckett, Milne and owen move up into the senior squad next season. Well Owen + Milne up to the senior squad Beckett up to the development squad.

We also have Barbieri who plays flanker as much as he did 8 for Italy. Maybe Fonua would go 8 and Barbieri cover Gibson position?

Shame if he goes though I like him.

Saints though would be odd as Clarke and Wood are both high though of at Saints.

Doubt Harrison will go if he can remain fit for the whole season now he should get some starting game time.

[formerly known as Sam]

Wood and Clark are at Saints but what other flankers have they got? Harrison and Nutley are both developing. Craig is a sick note and seems more likely to play lock. Dickinson will be at 8 with Manoa leaving. They need to retain Dowson and bring in an 8 or if Dowson goes get an 8 and a flanker.

Falcons will be glad they have Wilson and Welcome under contract.

Milne has the skills but not the size for AP rugby. Owen need experience and is injured currently. Beckett actually looked the most ready in the LV but is young. Barbieri to replace Matera. So he and Salvi can share the 7 shirt, Croft and Gibson share the 6 with Crane and Fonua sharing 8. If any go we need another. The young guns should look to oust them when given game time.

Unsure of any flankers other than Kaino that are available and I'd like to see in the stripes. Joe Van Niekerk is bizarrely playing in Italy I think. He'd be good for a season maybe. Conlon from Exeter or Gus Jones from Wasps would be good young guys to bring in but maybe too young.

Hope we bring Wells back full time in the summer so lock and flanker are reinforced. The year at Bedford will have done him good.

[Welly]

there a few SH flankers I wouldn't mind getting TBH.

I can see either Gibson or Croft going TBH. Esp if Gibson is getting the attention of other teams.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well there's plenty of quality flankers. I meant ones that are available and obtainable. Is there a list of those soon to be available?

[Welly]

Super Rugby players out of contract after the World Cup

SA conference: Dean Greyling, Flip van der Merwe, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Coenie Oosthuizen, Lood de Jager, Oupa Mahojé, Heinrich Brüssow, Boom Prinsloo, Cornal Hendricks, Willie le Roux, Robbie Coetzee, Warren Whiteley, Faf de Klerk, Marnitz Boshoff, Tendai Mtawawira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Ryan Kankowski, Cobus Reinach, François Steyn, Lwazi Mvovo, SP Marais, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende.

Australian conference: Ben Alexander, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, David Pocock, Tevita Kuridrani, Jesse Mogg, Sam Wykes, Ben McCalman, James Slipper, Saia Faainga, Rob Simmons, Liam Gill, Will Genia, Dave Dennis, Wycliff Palu, Israel Folau.

New Zealand conference: Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua, Simon Hickey, Francis Saili, Tevita Li, Lolagi Visinia, Frank Halai, Charles Piutau, Ben Tameifuna, Brodie Retallick, Sam Cane, Liam Messam, Augustine Pulu, Tim Nanai-Williams, Wyatt Crockett, Richie McCaw, Matt Todd, Colin Slade, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean, Kane Hames, Liam Coltman, Nasi Manu, Lima Sopoaga, Malakai Fekitoa, Richard Buckman, Patrick Osborne, Ben Franks, Jeremy Thrush, Victor Vito, TJ Perenara, Julian Savea, Conrad Smith.

[formerly known as Sam]

Now the obvious ones there are Alberts, Todd and Pocock. Brussow and Vito would be great additions also. Kolisi might be a good option though as his reputation hasn't taken off yet but is still a Bok. We could develop him a little and he'd be a real asset.

Hope Mauger has booked tickets for Francis Saili and Nani-Williams for when he comes over as well.

Plenty of locks for Cockers to target as well.

[Geordie]

Falcons will be glad they have Wilson and Welcome under contract.

That we are Sam...but we also have a couple of new young gems coming through as well. But that's a secret

[Rugby Fan]

Is the thinking on Croft that he might leave because injuries have made him more willing to seek some high bids while he still can?

[Welly]

I suspect Croft might be the one staying and Gibson going looking at the Saxon squads.

If Croft gets into the Saxons when he has played 2 games, Yet Gibson left out completely after being brilliant he might feel Croft is to big.

It would be hard for Leicester to turn Croft down if he accept a lower wage for 1/2 years.

Murphy to Wasps is interesting.

Mauger wants to bring in his own staff apparently.

[Welly]

Jamie Gibson ---> Saints
http://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/News/TabId/90/ArtMID/526/ArticleID/5563/Gibson-moving-down-Welford-Road-to-Franklin%E2%80%99s-Gardens.aspx

[nathan]

Sad news.

[Welly]

yep but there is some major overreactions going on by others.

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