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)
 

[formerly known as Sam]

Goneva cited for striking Kelly Brown with his forearm and Billy V cited for using his head in clearing out Matt Tait.

No real surprise there though Sarries will be massively concerned. No Vunipola for the Clermont game would be a disaster.

Losing Goneva for a game, well on current form I think Thompstone should be starting anyway.

[LondonTiger]

Whilst we never really looked like scoring in multiples of 5 or 7, you do have to wonder what would have happened if BillyV had at the least received a yellow card.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think we'd have grabbed a losing bonus point. Nothing more.

[formerly known as Sam]

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/32340581

Ayerza out for 6 weeks. We're boned. He's been massive for us this season.

[Welly]

Depends if he can be back for the Wasps game.

Apparently he was walking aright on it today.

[formerly known as Sam]

Cockers says he's a quick healer. Maybe if we move Mulipola to starting loose head and use Rizzo and Balmain off the bench for impact.

[nathan]

Looks like we will be playing in a preseason tournament with sale and Newcastle, it will be called kings of the North. Nothing like a spot of milking on the whole Richard 3rd

http://www.kingsofthenorth.net

[formerly known as Sam]

And the popularity of Game Of Thrones.

Would be a good opportunity to test some of the youngsters in a first team style environment. A mix and match approach as we'll need to be able to rotate the squad better and if a younger player or two can stake a claim early that would be a benefit going into the season.

[The Saint]

I might have asked on the last thread, but kind of lost the post. Cockers stated they have 500K set to one side and would be spending it on a marquee signing. Any news? #interested

[Welly]

No concrete news just in talks.

Le roux, Mermoz been thrown about

[The Saint]

Both would be good additions without a doubt. The Kaino rumour all but disappeared?

[Welly]

He has re signed for NZRU and Blues so Kaino isn't going anywhere.

[king_carlos]

On most accounts Harry Wells has been playing well for Bedford. I wonder if he could find himself back in the squad as a 4/5th choice lock instead of Petersen or Whetton - It seems neither have impressed too much.

Lock - Slater, Kitchener, Fitzgerald, De Cheves, Wells

The above with Williams able to offer a bigger option but looking likely to feature at 6 would give good depth and choices in the boiler room.

[Welly]

Wells still trains at Leicester.

[king_carlos]

Do you reckon there's much chance of him being added to the squad for next season then Welly?

I can't see much point of keeping him involved in training if there isn't a plan for him to progress to the senior squad.

[LondonTiger]

And the popularity of Game Of Thrones.

Hmm, may not want to win this new thing then. Kings of the North do not keep their heads for long.

[LondonTiger]

Marcos out for 4-6 weeks.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think Wells went to Bedford on a Twelvetrees style contract where he'd be there player but Tigers have first option and will help his development. The experience of playing weekly in the Championship will help, the props Exeter keeping finding in the Championship demonstrate that. I see they've signed another young prop formerly of Jersey and Nottingham.

Wells is a big lad and also covers 6. A handy squad player to have given Whetton looks lightweight in the tight and who knows where the American guy is.

[Welly]

Would anyone else want to see Hamilton on the bench against Welsh next weekend.

[formerly known as Sam]

Would be nice sentimentality to see him get a farewell standing ovation but he's doing a lot of work at Coventry and is due to be a player coach there next year so may have other fish to fry.

[Welly]

Would be nice sentimentality to see him get a farewell standing ovation but he's doing a lot of work at Coventry and is due to be a player coach there next year so may have other fish to fry.

He said on Twitter

@scotthamilton14: Another enjoyable game for @CoventryRugby today. The old boy managed to keep up and we had a win. #onelastgameCockers?

[formerly known as Sam]

In that case get him on the bench. He always had a knack of finding the try line. Could be handy if he could come off the bench and do that against Welsh and make sure we get TBP.

[Welly]

Yep considering Goneva, Benjamin are out and Scully and Camacho fitness still under ?.

Would rest Tait as well with Bell starting.

[formerly known as Sam]

Not sure we can afford to rest Tait as our attacking play has been sub standard. Anyone who can add a spark should be utilised. I'd go;

Rizzo, Youngs, Cole
Parling, Kitchener
Gibson, Pearce, Salvi
Harrison (c), Burns
Bai, Loamano
Thompstone, Tait, Morris

Bench; Ghilraldini, Mulipola, Balmain, De Chaves, Barbieri, Youngs, Bell, Catchpole / Hamilton.

Give Crane some extra time off. Give Burns as many strike options in the back as we can. The pack is certainly missing a Slater, Deacon or Thorn I'm glad our recruitment for next season is going to address the lack of grunt available to Cockers.

[LondonTiger]

At the very least I woudl liek to see them do what they did with Deacon and let him come on at half time for applause

[formerly known as Sam]

Agreed. Maybe last game of the season vs Saints.

[Welly]

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/22799.php#.VTTQKheCOnN

Betham confirmed.

[funnyExiledScot]

Betham and Fitzgerald, two good signings in my view.

[formerly known as Sam]

Betham is a great attacking threat to add to the back line.

Fitzgerald replaces Deacon and we have badly missed Deacs this season. That grunt in the tight exchanges and the ability to play 6 also makes him fit right in with Williams and Slater. Some mobile power there for next season.

[Welly]

What is nice to say is despite losing Parling, Thorn and Deacon I would still say next season we have the strongest set of lock depth in the AP.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think our recruitment has been excellent. We've been too athletic up front and not big and horrible enough. That shouldn't be the case next season though the big horrible units we've signed are mobile options as well. Just a shame we have to wait until next season as we could use Fitzgerald or Williams about now.

[Jimpy]

I think our recruitment has been excellent. We've been too athletic up front and not big and horrible enough. That shouldn't be the case next season though the big horrible units we've signed are mobile options as well. Just a shame we have to wait until next season as we could use Fitzgerald or Williams about now.

That's if they stay injury free - seemingly a problem for quite a lot of Leicester signings.

[Welly]

Quiet you.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well we've changed the medical personnel now so hopefully we'll have more luck. Moving off the knee killing all weather pitch at Oval Park will help as well.

[king_carlos]

Is the large injury list each year not likely linked to the notorious intensity of Tigers training sessions as well?

I accept we have lost a bit of our hard edge with a trend towards lighter forwards in recent years but I very much doubt that Cockers will have let up on the physicality of training sessions. Tigers have long been renowned for beating the living hell out of each other on the training park, given this I can't help but be surprised with the big casualty list sometimes.

Yes the number of injuries has got ridiculous in recent years so perhaps the balance needs to be reassessed given the volume of games the squad now plays. Not to mention the ever growing players!

However, if they were to reduce the intensity and physicality of contact sessions and get more guys fit (but have them without the 'hard edge' which comes from training like that) I can't imagine there would be many fewer complaints about the lack of fight from the players than there currently are about the injuries.

[Welly]

Our training session aren't as intensive as people think they are.

We do train hard but nowhere near the like of the old days and from what i have heard the players don't see it as a problem. The days of players beating up each other on a daily bases is over.

The training pitches are shocking though and wouldn't be surpised if that had something to do with it but we are moving so that should be put to rest.

[Jimpy]

Our training session aren't as intensive as people think they are.

We do train hard but nowhere near the like of the old days and from what i have heard the players don't see it as a problem. The days of players beating up each other on a daily bases is over.

The training pitches are shocking though and wouldn't be surpised if that had something to do with it but we are moving so that should be put to rest.

The level of pre-season injuries has been bad enough that an internal inquiry is being undertaken. It may already have been completed (I don't know). In any case, one can only hope that the outcome is less injured players. It comes to something when all a Tigers supporter has to look forward to is the 'second half of the season surge' - when the team starts to get its injured players back.

Can you imagine the force Tigers would be if they actually started a season at full strength

[Welly]

Inquiry has been done.

We will see.

TBH a lot of the injuries were also before pre-season.

Mauger has been getting the players to be doing regular fitness tests now starting around March which is interesting.

[formerly known as Sam]

The grass pitches at Oval Park aren't too bad. The middle pitch is an antique all weather pitch and is absolutely horrible to play on. You can feel the stress on your knees after. Long story as to why it can not be replaced. I heard a rumour the academy are moving up to the old Stoneygate ground ASAP. The first team will follow when the renovations are complete.

[RDW]

Tigers fans - Glasgow have signed your 2nd row Greg Peterson and we'ld like to hear your opnion on him!

If you could comment on this thread...

https://www.606v2.com/t58659p150-glasgow-and-edinburgh-ongoing-banter-thread-viii#3010601

[Welly]

Sio and Mulipola named in Samoan training squad

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/22843.php#.VUCR2d-COnN

[Welly]

Wasps game is nearly sold out.

[Welly]

A review of the awards this season:

Players:

Players player of the year: Sam Harrison
Players young player of the year: George Catchpole
Players try of the year: Graham Kitchener (V Welsh A)

Supporters:
Player of the Year: Marcos Ayerza
Newcomer of the year: Freddie Burns
Young player of the year: Harry Thacker
Try of the year: Tom Youngs (V Scarlets H)
Fan of the Year: Shaun Gibson

[king_carlos]

Our training session aren't as intensive as people think they are.

We do train hard but nowhere near the like of the old days and from what i have heard the players don't see it as a problem. The days of players beating up each other on a daily bases is over.

The training pitches are shocking though and wouldn't be surpised if that had something to do with it but we are moving so that should be put to rest.

Cheers Welly. Given I was stating the presumed intensity of training as a potential issue with injuries it's pretty counter-intuitive that I'm slightly disappointed to hear that they aren't what they used to be!

I was aware that the training pitches weren't up to scratch but not that they were that terrible. I guess the state of Welford Road pitch won't have helped much in that regard either.

With regards to the Samoa squad also interesting to see 3 of the Tuilagi brothers still in there.

Alesana and Anitela are to be expected in a 58 man squad but I expect Vavae got a nice surprise.

Also am I not right in saying that Vavae was a winger in his younger days? Bit surprised to see him named as a forward now.

[king_carlos]

Tom Bristow off to Wasp according to the offy but can't find anything elsewhere.

Would be a shame IMO as I rate him fairly highly already and think he has all the basics to mature into a top LH. He could surpass Rizzo reasonably quickly given game time and offer a long term EQP option behind Ayerza.

Could this see Logi used more at LH next season or will Brugnara or even Sio step up as 3rd choice?

[Welly]

Morris and De Cheves agree new deals.

We sign McCaffrey from Welsh.

[LondonTiger]

Just moved my seats for next year to the new clubhouse stand. Will be interesting to be at the opposite end of the ground.

[Welly]

Crowson is saying Slater will feature this weekend.

[formerly known as Sam]

Slater, Allen and Ayerza all allegedly fit for the Wasps game.

[LondonTiger]

Talking with friends and family, we wonder if Allen has ever been the same player since this challenge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDG82pyTGdU


I know some of the subsequent injuries were a touch freakish, but not sure just how well he has gone since then.

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