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:

[LondonTiger]

Really disappointed by Gibson leaving. Felt he was developing into an excellent player.

[formerly known as Sam]

He's been developing nicely. Shame to see he's going. I'll wait to see his replacement before I pass further comment. Gibson has played very well but he's not irreplaceable.

[Welly]

Rhys Williams in the Wales U20 well done to him.

TBH As Sam has said Beckett looks a very promising 6 and fits the lineout jumper as well, and should be brought up but need another flanker really.

Currently looks like for next season ATM:
6) Croft, Barbieri, Pearce, Crane
7) Salvi, Barbieri,
8) Crane, Barbieri, Pearce

Harrison sounds like he is going to sign a new contract which is great.

People gone on about us losing players but ATM:
Only
Tait
Gibson
Are confirmed going

Saints have confirmed going
Ma'afu
Monoa

I suspect that there Marquee player will be a lock (Maybe a mobile flanker/lock) type.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd prefer a beast of a back row. Alberts by preference. Lock we have players not sure I'd want more than a quality journey man, a Wentzel type.

In other news Troy Thacker has been replaced as the Tigers under 17s coach. I've heard from a couple of sources that this will only be a good thing for the academy. I won't go into details though.

[Welly]

Hope his sons aren't peed!

Lock heard we have sign/signing Mike Williams who is a physical hard man type lock (He knocked Logo for 6 in one game). TBH that would do me.

But I was on about Saints needing a lock/ Mobile flanker not us.

Me I would love a Kaino, Alberts or Cotzee type. or todd.

[nathan]

Record season ticket sales of 15,530. Not bad going

[Welly]

Word of warning Exeter are announcing some player news tomorrow.

Suspect it is Parling.

[LondonTiger]

Probably, re Parling.

I heard that while we offered Gibson substantially more than his previous contract (admittedly that was low) Saints offered £50k more.

[Welly]

Well 50 K more and closer to Oxford.

TBH at this professional era you have to draw a line on a players value unfortunately.

[LondonTiger]

Yup.

There is a limited budget for players. If it was a choice between Croft and Gibson - the Croft is better. Older and injury prone, but better.

[nathan]

Wonder who we will bring in, shame a talented young English player has left

[doctor_grey]

Probably, re Parling.

I heard that while we offered Gibson substantially more than his previous contract (admittedly that was low) Saints offered £50k more.

I was a bit surprised at this one. I had heard rumours, but it is hard to hear all the dirt from 3500 miles away. I didn't put any creedence in the rumours because I thought he was the type of player which Leicester liked. I suppose he is considered the ultimate replacement for Manoa, though I don't quite see it.

[LondonTiger]

More like Dowson's replacement I guess.

[doctor_grey]

Could be, mate. But I know Dowson wants to come back, and I don't think he will command a big salary.

[Welly]

I think more Dowson but I doubt they will replace monoa not many players can play lock and eight like he could so suspect they will get a big lock imo.

Reading some articles previously it doesn't sound like he was the most perfect fit.

[Geordie]

Whats the crack with the current academy players at lock and back row....

There were a few cracking locks from what I remember - big Price etc.

What about the back row?

[Welly]

Price is in the senior squad just has had some injuries, his partner in crime Cain had to retire early due to injuries.

Milne - Number 8 MotM in the Sale LV cup game on dual loan with Coventry ATM been impressing there.
Beckett - England U18 captain turned 19 this year plays back row and second row in Eng U20 looked very good against Sale in the LV cup. plays Lock, 6 and 7
Owen - England U20 openside again has looked very good last season in the a league and LV cup but has had some recent injuries.
Maksymiw - 19 England U18 lock played in the LV cup this season making his senior team debut looks good.

[Welly]

Anyway
Freddie Burns has hired Grayson to be his personal kicking coach: (Hired him around Christmas time)

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-fly-half-Freddie-Burns-turns/story-25901130-detail/story.html

Shows a lot of maturity.

And the LV cup game against Saints next week looks to be like a sell out.

[LondonTiger]

some great quotes from freddie:

“I sat at home thinking I am not a bad kicker,” said Burns. “I kicked four from four at Eden Park for England against the All Blacks in the summer in what was supposed to be one of the most pressurised kicking environments.

“Yet, I was at London Welsh in front of 1,500 people and I couldn’t hit a barn door in a barn made of doors.

“I was getting frustrated and was not knowing why I was missing. Because I can naturally kick a ball well, I believed that talent would get me through. It wasn’t – and that was affecting my game.

“I made contact with my agent and we spoke to a few guys, picked their brains and I am hoping Paul will be good for me.

“My first session was Christmas Eve and then I saw him last Wednesday for a couple of hours.

“I am going to try and see him on my day off at Welford Road for a few hours. I kick on my day off anyway.

“In the first session, he just watched me kick and I told him what I wanted. It’s an extra set of eyes.

“Since getting in the England squad, I have had three or four kicking coaches. They are all good in their own right but there is lots of input into what you are doing and you end up not knowing your arse from your elbow.

“I wanted a coach who I would answer to. Just me and him.

“It’s still early days but it is good to get a nice start and I am seeking consistency now.”

[Welly]

showing a lot of maturity.

[formerly known as Sam]

I read that this morning. Very impressed with Burns approach.

Agreed Williams would be all the second row additions we'd need. Bring through the projects and the academy players to fill the rest.

[king_carlos]

What's contract news with a fair few of the fringe/injured players such as Bristow, Briggs, Mele, Loamanu, Heptema and Pohe does anyone know?

Also some of the in-season signings such as Petersen, Whetton, Roberts and Bell?

Prop - Ayerza, Cole, Mulipola, Rizzo, Balmain, Pasquali, Brugnara, Bristow?

Hooker - Youngs, Ghirildini, Thacker, Briggs?

Second row - Slater, Kitchener, De Cheves, Williams, Petersen?, Whetton?, Price?

Flanker - Salvi, Croft, Barbieri

Number 8 - Crane, Fonau, Pearce

Scrum half - Youngs, Harrison, Mele?

Fly half - Burns, Williams

Centre - Allen, Tuilagi, Bai, Smith, Heptema?, Loamanu?, Pohe?, Roberts?

Wing - Goneva, Benajamin, Scully, Camacho?, Thompstone?

Full back - Morris, Bell

Looking at that I'd say we are definitely going to need a big signing at flanker plus some academy boys like Milne, Beckett and Owen to kick on. That's assuming Salvi and Croft resign as well!

We could also do with another game breaker in the centre and an experienced head at FB.

[Welly]

Bristow still in contract I Think same with Mele, Loamanu.

Not sure on the others.

ATM I know that these are out of contract end of season:
Petersen, Whetton, Parling, Croft, Salvi, Thorn, Harrison, Roberts, Morris, Bell, Camacho,

Not sure on
Bristow, Briggs, Price, Pohe, Smith, Scully, Hepetema

[Sgt_Pooly]

Is Fonau a def?

[formerly known as Sam]

Rumoured to be a gentleman's agreement from last summer when Bayonne wouldn't release him without a fee.

I'm looking forward to the LV games coming up. Want to see a Harrison, Burns, Bryant, Pohe midfield get a run out. Probably unlikely but I think Bryant has something about him. Just seems to have time on the ball and make the right decision. Got that low centre of gravity which makes him hard to put down which helps as he's not really AP sized.

[Welly]

Loamanu is hoping to be playing in the LV cup games, would think either start him @ 13 or on the bench first game.

Needs some game time though esp if Manu might nor be back for a while.

TBH would be happy with
1) Bristow, 2) Thacker, 4) Cole/Balmain
4) De cheves, 5) Whetton/Peterson/Price
6) Beckett/Gibson, 7) Owen, 8) Pearce
9) Harrison, 10) Burns
12) Allen/Bryant, 13) Loamanu
11) Morris, 14) R.Williams/Catchpole, 15) Bell

16) Briggs, 17) Rizzo, 18) Pas, 19) Whetton/Peterson/Price, 20) Milne/Beckett, 21) Mele, 22) Bryant/Hepetema/Roberts, 23) Catchpole/Williams/Smith

[Sgt_Pooly]

I still have a slim hope we'll get him Welly.

I think Fonau in the right team could be a star. He's a little unfit but has everything from obviously great carrying to being a menace over the ball

[Welly]

Another plus is Fonua can play lock if needed. (Did for Bayonne) would be handy cover if Kitchener and or Slater got called up.

I think we could get him fit enough if he comes.

The big plus to next season is the league starts later than normal (Doesn't it) so preseason could well be longer if needed. Works for Mauger as well.

[formerly known as Sam]

Pearce played lock when he came on against Welsh as well. Good options.

[Welly]

Salvi and Parling now expected to leave end of season.

I can live with Parling but we need a big replacement for Salvi.

[nathan]

Looks like there's been a bit of a clear out this year, wonder if it has anything to do with mauger?

[LondonTiger]

I would like us to use the Marquee slots for some good players. then trust the academy to fill other spots.

While I was impressed with Bai last weekend, in general the "journeymen" we have brought in over the last couple of years have been average.

[LondonTiger]

Whilst on to this evening. 8 years since we last won in Ireland I think. Can the current crop match the achievement of:

G Murphy; C Rabeni, D Hipkiss (L Lloyd, 71), O Smith, A Tuilagi (S Vesty, 79); I Humphreys, H Ellis; M Castrogiovanni (M Ayerza, 65), G Chuter, J White, L Cullen, L Deacon, L Moody, M Corry (capt), S Jennings.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well we'll have a better 9 and 10 today. I think Ulster are going to be smarting after last weekend and are going to be keen to show the fans some intensity. That doesn't bode well for us.

Agree with you LT. We need a couple of real quality signings and then to promote internally. We have ample amounts of young talent particularly in the midfield, half back and the pack. So a full back and flanker of real class. Bring in Williams and we're good. Unless Salvi leaves then we need two quality backrow options.

[Welly]

Matera is gone and Harrison is 95 % done in terms of contract things.

Very happy to keep Harrison local lad who loves Leicester.

IMO if we could get Conlon from Exe and promote Owen or Milne that should do in terms of replacing Matera and Gibson imo, Beckett will go into the development squad first, Milne will prob be in the development squad one more year.

[formerly known as Sam]

If we could have;

6. Croft, new signing, Beckett
7. Salvi, Barbieri, Owen
8. Crane, Fonua, Pearce, Milne.

That would be great. If Salvi goes then we need Wells back from Bedford and then a Pocock or a Burssow needs to be where the money is spent. If we keep Salvi then a leader is needed a Kaino or Alberts another international who will be vocal on the pitch.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well we're getting the predicted kicking at Ulster.

Will Mauger want to come after seeing this? I suppose he will think that anything he gets us doing next season will look good compared to this.

[Welly]

Murphy has said in the Merc he doesn't want to leave Leicester.

Said he has been speaking to Mauger quite a lot and that he wants Murphy here.

also said he is really excited about Mauger coming.

[HammerofThunor]

Parling confirmed to Exeter now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31024577

[Welly]

Parling confirmed to Exeter now.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/31024577

Yep shame but from what I gather Exeter offered more money and more years on his contract than us.

Top player who always gave his all for us.

[bluestonevedder]

Sad to see Parling leave, but he's achieved so much at Tigers and you can't blame him for moving on. 

All the best to him.

[bluestonevedder]

Anyone know how long Thorn's contract with Tigers is?

[Welly]

Anyone know how long Thorn's contract with Tigers is?

End of season.

He might retire.

[formerly known as Sam]

Thorn may stay until the end of the RWC. That was the plan with Deacon but it looks like he'll struggle to finish this season let alone help out next.

Parling has been a great player for us. Given his injury record, international commitments and salary he's not a huge loss though. I think he'll do well at Exeter and as he likes his surfing really enjoy himself down on the coast.

[bluestonevedder]

Anyone know how long Thorn's contract with Tigers is?

End of season.

He might retire.

Leaves us a bit light at lock, no? 

Kitchener, Slater, Deacon (?), De Chaves, Price, Peterson....that it? 

Assume Kitchener and Slater will be away on England duty for large portions of the year.

[Welly]

Wuss reckon Mike Williams to us is a done deal.

[LondonTiger]

Sad to see Parling leave, but he's achieved so much at Tigers and you can't blame him for moving on. 

All the best to him.

Seconded

[Welly]

Tom Price off to Scarlets.

[formerly known as Sam]

So lock for next season we have;

4. Slater, Williams
5. Kitchener, De Chaves

Then it's to the academy. Parling and Price are off. Peterson and Whetton are on deals until the end of the season and both Deacon and Thorn are set to retire.

Needs to get Wells back in and then get at least one or two more. Those could be the trialists bit that may depend on how they perform over this LV period.

[Welly]

Neil Briggs ---> Sale

[Sponsored content]