Leicester Tigers Thread 2014/15 (+ Squad updates for 2015/16) Part 2

[Welly]

First topic message reminder :

Current Tables Positions:
AP: 3rd Losing SF to Bath
CC: Out (Group Stage)
LV: Out (Semi Final)
A League: 4th Northern Conference.
AP Sevens:
Academy AP U18 League: 2nd Northern Conference beating Bath on finals day to finish 3rd overall.

Next Game: V Argetnina (Welford road) 5th/6th September Time: TBD.

Senior Squad 2014/15: (Leaving), (Signed new deal) (Retiring)
Coaches: Cockerill (DOR), Blaze (Ass. Forwards), Blake (Defence + Skills Coach), Murphy (Ass.Backs)
1/3) Ayerza, Balmain, Bristow, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo
2) T.Youngs, Ghiraldini, Briggs, Thacker
4/5) Deacon, De Chaves, Kitchener, Parling, Peterson, Price, Slater, Thorn, Whetton
6/7/8) Barbieri, Crane, Croft, Gibson, Pearce, Salvi
9) Harrison, Mele, Youngs
10) Burns, Williams
12/13) Allen, Bai, Hepetema, Loamanu, Pohe, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi
11/14) Benjamin, Camacho, Goneva, Hamilton, Scully, Thompstone
15) Bell, Morris, Tait

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

2015/16 Senior Squad ATM: (New Signings)
Coaches: Cockerill (DOR), Mauger (HC), Hansen (Defence + Skills Coach), Blaze (Ass. Forwards), Murphy (Ass. Backs)
1/3) Ayerza, Balmain, Brugnara, Cole, Mulipola, Pasquali, Rizzo
2) Youngs, Ghiraldini, Bateman, Thacker
4/5) De Chaves, Fitzgerald, Kitchener, Slater
6/7/8) Crane, Croft, Fonua, McCaffrey, O'Connor, Pearce, Williams
9) Harrison, Kitto, Youngs
10) Burns, Williams
12/13) Allen, Bai, Loamanu, Roberts, Smith, Tuilagi
11/14) Benjamin, Betham, Camacho, Goneva, Thompstone
15) Bell, Morris, Tait

2015/16 Development Squad: N/A

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
Sam Harrison
Tom Croft
Niall Morris
Seb De Cheves
Mathew Tait
Niall Morris

Out Of Contract
Roberts
Camacho
Bell
Smith


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)

2015/16
Greg Bateman (Exeter)
Mike Williams (Warriors)
Mike Fitzgerald (Chiefs)
Opeti Fonua (Welsh)
Brendon O'Connor (Blues)
Peter Betham (NSW Waratahs)
Lachlan McCaffrey (London Welsh)
Jono Kitto (Bay of Plenty + Cheifs Development Squad)

Transfers Out 2014/15:
Paul Burke (N/A)
Phil Blake (N/A)
Neil McCarthy (N?A)
Mathew Tait (Bayonne)
Tom Price (Scarlets)
Geoff Parling (Exeter)
Neil Briggs (Sale)
Julien Salvi (Exeter)
Pohe (USC)
Brad Thorn (Retirement)
Peterson (Glasgow)
Hamilton (Coventry)
Bristow (Wasps)
R.Williams (?)
Whetton
Hepetema


Rumours:
IN
Matt Todd -------> Leicester
Francois Hougaard ----> Leicester, Exeter Chiefs.
Maxime Mermoz ------> Leicester
Burrow ----------------> Leicester

Out
Allen (Retirement)
Manu (Toulouse, Saracens, Racing)
 

[Welly]

Croft is staying!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[formerly known as Sam]

Now we need him fit. He should be back in time for pre season as long as Lancaster doesn't drag him to the RWC.

I can't think of a better line out option in the back row and he is a twice touring Lion. Would have hated to see him play for anybody else.

Gives us good options on the blind side going into next season.

[Welly]

Now we need him fit. He should be back in time for pre season as long as Lancaster doesn't drag him to the RWC.

I can't think of a better line out option in the back row and he is a twice touring Lion. Would have hated to see him play for anybody else.

Gives us good options on the blind side going into next season.

Yep would have been upset if he went to another English Club.

As cockers said his injures all seem to be unrelated which is a good thing. (I guess)

[king_carlos]

Good news on Croft and the article seems to suggest that the contract has taken into account the injuries and the risk attached. He gives us differing options at blindside with Croft, Williams and Fitzgerald all different players.

The squad really taking shape for next season then:

1.Ayerza, Rizzo, Bristow, Brugnara
2.Youngs, Ghirildini, Bateman
3.Cole, Mulipola, Balmain, Pasquali
4.Slater, De Chaves
5.Kitchener, Fitzgerald
6.Croft, Williams, McCaffrey
7.O'Connor, Thacker, Owen
8.Crane, Fonau, Pearce

9.Youngs, Harrison, Mele
10.Burns, Williams

11.Betham, Thompstone, Benjamin
12.Allen, Bai, Roberts
13.Tuilagi, Loamanu, Smith, Catchpole
14.Goneva, Comacho
15.Morris, Bell

Still question marks over Hepetema and Pohe but with the depth there at 13 with Loamanu in contract for next season, Smith unlikely to go anywhere and Catchpole ahead of them in the pecking order I feel they may be heading to chapionship sides for a season.

Still need to have a new full back announced, hopefully a big name.

Another 12 to challenge Allen wouldn't go amiss as well but may be hoping for too much at this stage.

As said whilst I rate McCaffery and have been impressed by him in a poor side I can't help but feel he is a 6/8 and we really could have done with another openside if we were looking for depth in the back row.

[Welly]

Cockerill has apparently said we are looking at 12's and 15's according to martin Crowson.

[formerly known as Sam]

Fifteen is a priority. Don't care for names and ego as long as the guy can play and give us a tactical kicking as well as counter attack option at the back.

Another 12 in wary over. Allen and Bai offer plenty if experience and we have a host of youngsters with differing talents in Roberts, Thacker and Bryant. Another 12 is going to severely restrict their game time.

[Welly]

Perhaps the club is wary of Allens injury record.

He seems to get some fairly nasty injuries (like last year his injury was something you see in a car crash).

Bai is a good back up but he will be another year older.

I wouldn't mind us looking at a 28/29 year old experienced player (would prefer international).

[Welly]

Scott Hansen confirmed as coming to us as a coach next season.

[nathan]

Scott Hansen confirmed as coming to us as a coach next season.

presumably as a backs coach, what does that mean for Murphy?

[Welly]

Hansen has been a skills coach in his previous clubs so he could be in as one of those.

TBH a lot of SH teams seem to have 3 backs type coaches.

Leaves Blake to solely focus on improving the teams already improved defence.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd heard Hansen was taking up a more developmental role. Expect him to be working with the academy as much as the first team.

[nathan]

I'm getting a lot more confident about our coaching setup for next year, i just hope we can have some better luck on the injury front.

[Welly]

Sounds like Glynn is wanting all the senior coaches prob bar Cockerill and Mauger involved in the academy coaching more. Makes a lot of sense in terms of transition.

[nathan]

Sounds like Glynn is wanting all the senior coaches prob bar Cockerill and Mauger involved in the academy coaching more. Makes a lot of sense in terms of transition.

definitely, i wonder if that will see us rely on our academy more. After all promoting through the academy will cost less that importing a high end player

[Welly]

Seems to be identified.

I def see players who could replace the current senior players in the next 2/3/4 seasons.

Like
Beckett and Croft
Milne and Crane
Tresidder and Mele
Bryant and Bai
C.Thacker and Allen


Will Evans. Owen Hills lock whose name I can't spell and Odogwu Are some other coming up as well.

Personally I think to much has been about are lack of recruitment IMO our biggest thing has been lack of a balanced coaching setup for the past 5 or so seasons that has let us dropped behind a bit, since MOC came we have failed to get a balance right we scored tries but our defence was crap now it is the opposite hopefully next season it will be more balanced, as we have the players IMO.

[formerly known as Sam]

Agreed on the coaching balance. Adding to the coaching skill set can't be a bad thing.

I'd like to see senior first team players be assigned development squad players to mentor. For instance get Bai as mentor for Bryant and Cole mentor for Pas.

[formerly known as Sam]

I see Sam Burgess is heading home early from Super League as he's home sick. Now there's a huge natural talent at full back if only there was a first class former union full back and an extended pre season to integrate him into a union team...

Chances are it'll Wigan that he signs for though.

[king_carlos]

Guessing you mean Sam Tomkins there fkaS? Those 5 daily Burgess articles finally getting to someones head I see!

Whilst I agree Tomkins could be excellent as a 15 in union he'd also be a big risk in a position we don't have much cover in thereafter. Bell is still developing and Morris is injury prone sadly.

Personally I'd still love to see Pennell come in. I think he's a fantastic player, he would have been my replacement for Brown in the Ireland game, and he'd fit the club very well.

As for the centres I'd like to see Bai moving into more of a cover role with his versatility and experience helping the squad in a RWC year. Then I'd like to see Roberts coming through more at 12. Most importantly I'd like to see some rotation in the centres.

With Allen and Tuilagi injury prone why not try to reserve them a bit more for big games. Whilst you wouldn't want to throw out 12.Roberts 13.Catchpole in a game against Gloucester, LI or Newcastle why not try out one of the upcoming guys with Allen or Tuilagi.

12.Roberts
13.Tuilagi

12.Allen
13.Catchpole

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing young guys being given a shot in those sorts of games with a strong pack in front of them. It would give us a chance to see what the young guys are made of. Plus it could help keep our 1st choices available for when we really need them.

[formerly known as Sam]

yep meant Tomkins. Bidding for him would be a risk but there's a potentially massive reward as he has got pace to burn and a good boot. Adapted pretty quickly when he played on the wing for the Baabaas.

Pennell would be the ideal signing but I guess that his signing would be contingent on Worcester not getting promoted.

I agree 100% on getting the young centres involved. We have them on the books but before this season have barely used them.

[Jimpy]

Now we need him fit. He should be back in time for pre season as long as Lancaster doesn't drag him to the RWC.

I can't think of a better line out option in the back row and he is a twice touring Lion. Would have hated to see him play for anybody else.

Gives us good options on the blind side going into next season.

Croft 'was' a great player. Still has some of that skill when fit. But that's the crux isn't it - he's staying and may well even be fit at some point - but for how long? He must have had to take a hit on salary surely?

[formerly known as Sam]

People are mentioning pay as you play but I can't see that. Probably a one year deal with the option of a much improved deal for the season after if he meets appearance criteria for next season.

When he's fully fit he's still quality. It's just we need to get him fully fit and keep him there.

[LondonTiger]

Pay as you play would make managing the salary budget vs cap very difficult.

[Jimpy]

Pay as you play would make managing the salary budget vs cap very difficult.

If Tigers could somehow entice Bath's accountant to work for them, it would be easy.

[Welly]

Merc reporting that Blake if off end of season.

Crap!

[formerly known as Sam]

That would be odd. He has been very much an integral part of the staff this season. I know there's a shake up going on with the administration manager and the chief physio both being shown the door.

[Welly]

The chief Physio hasn't been shown the door she has set up her own company which leicester have already signed a deal with to help out with our new team.

Basically she is expanding her business.

[formerly known as Sam]

That's the official line.

[king_carlos]

A shame about Blake. Without our much improved defence throughout the second half of the season we'd be languishing around 6/7 fighting for a ECC place. He really has made a huge difference very quickly.

Many of us have been calling for big changes though and boy are we being shown them:

- New look coaching staff led by Mauger the man most have been calling to get back ever since he left

- A change in style of forwards we've recruited with some bigger more powerful players. Fonau and Pearce offering real bulk at 8 and Williams or Fitzgerald hopefully offering the powerful option at 6 we've lacked without Mafi.

Still to come it looks like we'll see Hepetema and Pohe spend a year in the championship.

It will be a very interesting season but we'll need a large number of new recruits to gel quickly for us to get off to the quicker start we desperately need. Hopefully the long preseason helps here.

Early season is definitely going to be interesting with 1st and 2nd choice front rows likely missing!

[LondonTiger]

Surely Italy will be out of the WC by the time the AP starts

[formerly known as Sam]

Apparently Blake hasn't settled and is looking to leave the area hence we've had to look for another coach.

You'd assume Italy and Samoa will drop out of the RWC at the group stages meaning our front row shouldn't be to adversely effected.

Personally I'm pleased with our recruitment so far. Salvi is the only loss we could have done without but the players coming in are the mobile and physical specimens we have been needing.

[Bathite]

Is Salvi confirmed as leaving? I thought he tweeted he was staying? Where is he going?

[Welly]

Is Salvi confirmed as leaving? I thought he tweeted he was staying? Where is he going?

Exeter.

We could be losing still Mele, Hepetem and Pohe

IMO all 3 could be replaced by academy players if they leave.

Mele ---- Tresidder
Hepetema ---- Bryant
Pohe ----- Catchpole


Our WC squad would look like this potentially (Including some academy player):
1) Mulipola, Rizzo, Bristow, Brugnara, Sio*
2) Ghiraldini, Bateman, Thacker, Farnworth
3) Mulipola, Balmain, Pas, Bateman
4) Slater, Fitzgerald, Williams
5) Kitchener, De Cheves, Whetton/Peterson
6) Croft, Williams, Fitzgerald, McCaffery
7) O'Connor, McCaffery Thacker, Owen
8) Fonua, Pearce, Crane, McCaffery
9) Harrison, Tresidder
10) Burn, Williams, Bai, Bell, Bryant
12) Allen/New Player, Bai, Roberts, Bryant
13) New Player, Loamanu, Goneva, Smith, Catchpole, Camacho
11/14) Betham, Goneva, Thompstone, Morris, Benjamain, Loamanu
15) New Player, Morris, Bell, Loamanu

Compared to the squad if it stayed the same:
1) Mulipola, Rizzo, Bristow, Brugnara, Sio*
2) Ghiraldini, Thacker, Briggs, Farnworth
3) Mulipola, Balmain, Pas,
4) Slater, Thorn, Deacon, Peterson
5) Kitchener, De Cheves, Whetton
6) Croft, Gibson, Barbieri
7) Slavi, Gibson, Barbieri
8) Crane, Barbieri, Pearce
9) Harrison, Mele
10) Burn, Williams, Bai, Bell,
12) Allen, Bai, Roberts, Hepetema, Pohe
13) Loamanu, Goneva, Smith, Camacho
11/14) Goneva, Morris, Thompstone, Scully, Benjamin, Camacho, Smith
15) Tait, Morris, Bell

IMO the team so far next season has the potential to be better, esp in the forwards where the team has a younger, and more grunt look to it.

The only area of noticeable difference is 7 where the team now is a lot stronger.

All revolves on who we are looking at in the backs.

Mind you le roux will be out with the WC

[king_carlos]

I hadn't realised the season was delayed as late as the finish of the group stages. With Rizzo, Ghirildini and Mulipola likely available we should be fine then.

You've missed McCaffery off that list Welly. Likely in the place of where you've put Loamanu covering 6/8.

Agree with your points though, I like where things are heading. Especially the addition of some more power in the forwards. I'll hold my breathe until we see who the centre and FB signings are though.

Fitzgerald could be a really inspired signing IMO. He's seems to have a great natural skill set with size, pace and a really good reading of the game. Could be a huge asset.

It's looking increasingly like the coaches are looking to take a big gamble on Thacker at 7 for next season. It's a move I like personally as he's got so much ability he has to be involved as much as possible.

[Welly]

Thanks Carlos knew i missed someone out.

Agree with Fitzgerald NZ fans saying he isn't All black standard but he is the sort of player you could measure the young players with and be someone who wouldn't let you down.

The ability to play Lock and 6 in NZ seems quite rare in super rugby guess they don't lack flankers there so for him to start @ 6 for the chiefs (A big NZ team) tells us something about his attriubutes.

I also think O'Connor will prob be more suited to NH rugby when i watch him play super rugby.

[Welly]

As i'm bored

You look at the average age and weight of forwards leavers compared to the arrivals at the end of this season.

Briggs (30) ----- Bateman (26)
Parling (31) ---- Fitzgerald (28)
Salvi (29) ----- O'Connor (25)
Gibson (24) ---- Mccaffery (25)
Barbieri (31) --- Fonua (29)
Thorn (40) ---- Williams (23)

Not including Deacons as he hasn't played this season.

But even taking away Thorn the average age of Leavers V Arrivals is 29 V 26. It bucks the trend of our recent signing trends over the last few years.

[king_carlos]

Agree on O'Connor being better suited to the Jeff that SXV. He seems to relish getting stuck into the tough stuff more than playing as a link man which could suit very well as a Salvi replacement. I've noticed he's been keeping Luke Braid at 6 which has to be a positive as well - I rate Braid very highly as an openside.

Briggs replaced by Bateman - Similar wage, maybe slightly less given Briggs had a lot of Prem experience with Sale.

Gibson replaced by Williams - I'd guess very similar wage as both were at similar stages of their career when signed. Gibson signed from a Prem side having had an England call up so may have been slightly more.

Deacon replaced by Fitzgerald - At the differing stages of their career Fitzgerald will have been more.

Salvi replaced by O'Connor - I'd guess O'Connor will be slightly cheaper given how sought after Salvi was when last signed.

Barbieri replaced by Fonau - Difficult to say. Barbieri is an international with versatility but signed from a struggling Treviso side. Fonau has signed from an even poorer LW side but has put in eye catching performances and offers a skill set many sides would want with his power. Maybe Fonau will be slightly more expensive?

Scully and Hamilton replaced by Betham - I'd hope the combined salary of the 2 could cover Betham but he is an international wing with an appealing skill set.

Hepetema and Pohe will be likely leaving by the looks of things but Roberts has come in - I presume he was injury dispensation to be added to the cap for next season.

Plus Catchpole and Owen will need to be included if promoted from the academy squad.

By my reckoning that leaves the money freed up by Parling and Tait leaving plus any reduction in Crofts contract along with the £500,000 cap increase and 2nd marquee players.

On the other hand we've also signed McCaffery and resigned that front row trio which will not have been cheap but one of whom will be the 1st marquee player.

Should leave enough to get another centre and FB if wanted but as many have already stated the club also need to balance their books and fund the pitch being relaid alongside other developments.

[LondonTiger]

Is Salvi off to Exeter? I got the impression they want him but only have cap room for a marquee player.

[formerly known as Sam]

The cap could become our friend there. Salvi on a one year deal would be ideal whilst O'Connor beds in and the young guns develop. Can't see our cap stretching that far without abandoning the signing of that additional centre though.

Slightly concerned the rumour mill is deadly quiet in relation to us signing backs.

[formerly known as Sam]

Pohe has signed for Carcassonne (sp?) in the Pro 2. Beautiful part of France and he'll get decent wages and game time you'd have thought.

[Welly]

I know of one 12 we are in talks with.

Pohe off as expected Hopefully Bryant will be brought up.

[formerly known as Sam]

Fancy hinting at that 12 Welly.

Agreed on Bryant. Could be the distributing IC we need. Mauger can hopefully help his development.

[LondonTiger]

Has yesterday's game finally put to bed the assertion that Tom Youngs is weak in the scrum? Before, and after, his YC we had clear superiority. During the YC period Sarries were in control - whilst, it should be noted, still facing an 8 man scrum.

[formerly known as Sam]

Tom Youngs was excellent for all but 5 seconds of his game. Unfortunately those five seconds lost us the game. It's also worth noting his line out work was also flawless.

Ghiraldini isn't as good as I was hoping he was going to be. Bateman may be a smart acquisition if Leo isn't going to improve and we need someone to come through and challenge Tom. We are presuming at this point the conversion of Thacker will be on full after the RWC.

[Welly]

Momentum was the biggest difference IMO.

If TY got Yellow carded on the sarries 5m line I doubt the scrums wouldn't have changed much.

But it was on the Tigers 5m with sarries on the charge and needing to score a try right before half time and the mind sets showed that IMO.

[LondonTiger]

anyone know just how bad Marcos injury is? Looked like a season ending one on the day

[formerly known as Sam]

Who knows with hamstring injuries. Could be a week or could be months. Hopefully not as bad as it looked.

[Geordie]

Do you have high hopes for Thacker at 7?

[LondonTiger]

Do you have high hopes for Thacker at 7?

I have.

[formerly known as Sam]

U have high hopes for Thacker wherever he plays. A move to the back row would appear logical as it emphasises his contribution on the loose. If he stays at hooker he is competent at the scrum and no slouch at the line out.

Judging from the signings so far there's an expectation both him and Owen are going to have to play their part next season.

[Welly]

Matt Cornwall is our new team manger

Brilliant guy and a Leicester. Man through and through despite playing for them.

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