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]

Agreed LT. I have wondered whether we'd actually see him play again he's been so beset with injuries.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/premiership/11594207/Richard-Cockerill-fears-Leicester-Tigers-face-cut-to-funds-to-buy-world-class-players.html

The coffers aren't exactly full for signing a replacement either.

[king_carlos]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/New-man-boost-pack-Cockerill/story-26464770-detail/story.html

Cockerill stating here that McCaffery will be covering 7 with Thacker and Owen also options behind O'Connor. That would surely mean that our forward signings are now finished but for lock cover (Whetton or Wells would be favourites for that role I'd guess) and maybe a 4th hooker if Thacker is being viewed as a 7 (Farnworth?).

1.Ayerza, Rizzo, Brugnara, Sio
2.Youngs, Ghirildini, Bateman + Farnworth?
3.Cole, Mulipola, Balmain, Pasquali
4.Slater, De Cheves
5.Kithchener, Fitzgerald + Wells or Whetton?
6.Croft, Williams
7.O'Connor, McCaffery, Thacker, Owen
8.Crane, Fonau, Pearce

Potential first choice pack:

1.Ayerza 2.Youngs 3.Cole 4.Slater 5.Kitchener 6.Croft 7.O'Connor 8.Fonau

16.Ghirildini 17.Mulipola 18.Balmain 19.Fitzgerald 20.Williams

The openside depth is still a bit concerning with McCaffery more of a 6/8 in my eyes. If we bring Thacker through and give him significant enough gametime at 7 for him to become second choice behind O'Connor I'd be delighted with those pack options however.

Plenty of power has been added and we have some differing skill sets available with guys like Croft/Williams or Fonau/Crane/Pearce offering us different options for necessary opponents, tactics and times of year.

[Welly]

I would say we are no worse off than we are now at 7.

IMO McCaffrey is a bigger version of Gibson. Yes no barbieri type but how often has he played.

Owen and Thacker should fill in that spot.

[bluestonevedder]

It might have been quite well known to inner circle folk, but I've just seen the BBC article confirming Salvi's exit. I honestly had no idea he was leaving. I assumed he would get a contract extension. 

This leaves a little in the lurch at openside, and what a huge loss he is. 

Any big openside signings coming our way to replace him?

[Welly]

It might have been quite well known to inner circle folk, but I've just seen the BBC article confirming Salvi's exit. I honestly had no idea he was leaving. I assumed he would get a contract extension. 

This leaves a little in the lurch at openside, and what a huge loss he is. 

Any big openside signings coming our way to replace him?

It's been pretty much common knowledge he was on the way out since Jan/Feb really.

People hoped he might stay but i don't think it is a surprise to most.

O'Connor is his replacement.

[bluestonevedder]

It might have been quite well known to inner circle folk, but I've just seen the BBC article confirming Salvi's exit. I honestly had no idea he was leaving. I assumed he would get a contract extension. 

This leaves a little in the lurch at openside, and what a huge loss he is. 

Any big openside signings coming our way to replace him?

It's been pretty much common knowledge he was on the way out since Jan/Feb really.

People hoped he might stay but i don't think it is a surprise to most.

O'Connor is his replacement.

Thanks Welly. 

Such a shame to see him go. Any idea where he's going? The article suggests Chiefs or somewhere in France.

[LondonTiger]

Salvi delayed signing a contract offer while discussing things with Exeter and Bayonne. In the end Leicester withdrew the offer and signed O'Connor. Offers from Chiefs and Bayonne failed to materialise as Chiefs have limited room within the cap and Bayonne are fighting a relegation battle.

For a while there was still the possibility of a deal with us, but at a lower salary than the original offer - again due to salary cap constraints.

[bluestonevedder]

Thanks LT

[HongKongCherry]

Could you not just buy him a farm/restaurant?

[LondonTiger]

Sadly no, and he turned down an iPad and a trip to Oktoberfest

[Welly]

Salvi finally confirmed leaving.

Anyway looking at the season i have been pleased with our new signings this year.

Burns - Has improved a hell of a lot and considering Williams injury might have left us dead and buried has done extremely well to keep us in it.
Thorn - Been a honour to watch the legend grace our pitch that game against Toulon was just a thing of beauty.
Loamanu - On saturday showed what we were missing without Manu in the backs, we have a limited game plan (Backs wise) and we need a power runner in the middle and he fills it. (Also playing like 8 positions helps alot)
Ghilrandini - Been a great back up behind Youngs, upgrade from Hawkins and has been very good for us.
Barbieri - Just never clicked unfortunately although get impression he was always seen as a stop gap for Fonua.
Rizzo - Mixed feelings been very solid, and show some good bits in open play but can be a penalty machine would have prefered backing Bristow.
Roberts - Looks to have a lot of potential @ 12 has raw pace in the middle we haven't had since Hipkiss.
Bell - Excellent FB who plays 10 lovely kicking style V.Happy.

People go on about our recruitment but this years lot have been pretty damn good IMO and showed a good amount of potential. Just need all to stay fit next season.


Also well done Beckett, Owen and Hills on making the U20 JWC squad for England.

[Gooseberry]

Parling and Salvi now announced as going to Exeter

[formerly known as Sam]

You missed out Bai. He's been a very good signing and has really kept that midfield together. Felt our chances have taken a knock with his foolish red card.

Our squad is looking Good for next season. I feel we've recruited well again, it's not easy replacing big names but I feel we'll be in a good position.

[Welly]

Oh yeah!

Against Wasps he was excellent, aggressive in the breakdown and defence got over the breakdown.

Has been impressive.

[Jimpy]

You missed out Bai. He's been a very good signing and has really kept that midfield together. Felt our chances have taken a knock with his foolish red card.

Our squad is looking Good for next season. I feel we've recruited well again, it's not easy replacing big names but I feel we'll be in a good position.

I wish I shared your optimism. I reckon we've let more quality out of the door than we've signed - and this season has been poor in terms of performance.

[Welly]

Performance maybe but some individuals have shined esp in the LV cup.

In terms of incoming players generally are younger and bigger than there replacements.

O'Connor has been looking extremely good lately and has one of the most steals at the breakdown in Super rugby ATM. prob similar to Salvi in terms of how they are rated in home country.

Mike Williams ask wuss fans what they think of him.

Fitzgerald again rated by Chiefs fans one of those players who are a club staple but not quite International level.

Betham big stong and fast.

Fonua IMO will all come down to how he shapes up pre-season if he can lose some weight and get fit we could be onto a winner.

McCaffrey Barbieri type i guess 25 Cockerill likes him and he has good track record with back rowers who are underrated (Gibson and Mafi).

[formerly known as Sam]

The performances have been sub par this season but we're still sitting third with a game to go. We've dragged ourselves through on determination alone. If we can get the big names fit for next season then the impact of the likes of Slater and Manu will be telling.

The only player I think is a massive loss is Salvi. The others are replaceable and we've done a pretty damp good job of replacing Salvi by the looks of it.

Go in YouTube and find the big hit Williams put on Mulipola the other season. Then imagine that coming off our blindside. That'll cheer you up.

[LondonTiger]

I will wait and see how these new players settle, but based on performance of previous years recruits I will not be expecting anything fantastic.

[formerly known as Sam]

Our signings do tend to take time to bed in. I'm hoping with the signings we're making this season and the extended pre season we'll see more out of the squad. Let's face it we'll struggle to be worse than this season.

[formerly known as Sam]

Don't expect to see Manu any time soon. Convicted of assaulting two police officers and a taxi driver. Apparently came to court with a bag ready to go to prison. Escaped with a large fine only because he had no previous in the UK.

[Welly]

£6,000 which includes damages and no community service doesn't sound like a prison sentence job so don't believe the story of the bag.

[Welly]

Also can magistrates court give prison sentences only crown courts can do that I thought?

[formerly known as Sam]

I heard it from somebody that was there not seen the reports yet. Five figure fine which doesn't tie in to the six grand you say is reported.

[Welly]

I heard it from somebody that was there not seen the reports yet. Five figure fine which doesn't tie in to the six grand you say is reported.

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/tuilagi-will-not-picked-for-rugby-world-cup-squad/

6k fine at magistrate court didn't sound prison sentence type to me.

[Welly]

From bbc reporter Twitter:

Manu Tuilagi grabbed a taxi driver by the throat, kicked his wing mirror, and then pushed two female police officers hard in the chest.

IMO is not a prison sentence.

[formerly known as Sam]

Criminal damage and three counts of assault as well as resisting arrest. He was wasted and acted like a tool. I wonder how injured he actually is and how much they've chosen to keep him out of the public eye.

[Heaf]

Also can magistrates court give prison sentences only crown courts can do that I thought?

Yes they can - not the full range as a crown court but they can certainly send people down up to a limit ...

[Welly]

Saw that up to 6 months I think.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'm hoping we can make the Loamano and Tait midfield combination work until the end of the season. Next season we're losing Tait and I worry we won't see Allen again. A new centre is becoming an increasing priority. After fullback.

[nathan]

Cockers has said that burns will be back for the semi final

[Welly]

Here's a scary thought if we had beaten Glous Away and Irish at home we would be 1st. Shows how close we were from the top 2 in terms of results.

[formerly known as Sam]

That's astounding considering how badly we've been playing. I just hope we keep the dogged determination and add some flair next season.

No rumours on our new centre and fullback yet though.

[Welly]

Nope things have died down on all ends ATM.

Expect a couple more leaving though.

[formerly known as Sam]

Who else is leaving?

[king_carlos]

Hepetema heading back to NZ.

Rumours abound also that Tait may have a release from his Bayonne contract due to their merger with Biarritz. Would be very handy if the case as we are yet to hear anything new on a potential FB and he has shown himself to still be more than capable at centre in recent weeks.

[Bathite]

The Bayonne/Biarritz merger is off, but there's a high chance that Bayonne will be relegated

[Welly]

Tait might be a possibility but there is also a strong chance we are I talks with a replacment.

Guess it will come down to price.

Talk still that Pennell might be a option IF Wuss get relegated fortunately next season starts late and most clubs are still I talks with players (as opposed to signed) bar the likes of Quins and L.Irish so time is on our side.

[formerly known as Sam]

So what you're saying is that we need to be supporting Bristol and La Rochelle if we're going to have the chance to land both Pennell and Tait (dream scenario). Can't say I'm bad keen on Bristol Welsh but having been to La Rochelle and seen the fanatical support from the locals I can get behind them.

Ideal scenario if we can add both those guys to the backs. Would sort the squad for next season in my eyes. Unless we can pick up a cheap scrum half with some experience who is happy to be fourth choice.

[king_carlos]

I wonder if there could be enough budget left to keep Tait, bring Pennell in and get another centre (ideally a 12) in as a marquee player?

9.Youngs, Harrison, Tresider
10.Burns, Williams
11.Goneva, Thompstone
12.Allen, Bai, Roberts
13.Tuilagi, Tait, Loamanu, Catchpole
14.Betham, Camacho
15.Pennell, Bell, Morris

The above looks strong on paper but with the injury history of Allen, Tuilagi, Tait, Camacho and Morris it suddenly becomes more suspect.

I notice that Mermoz has missed out on the PSAs 36 man squad for the World Cup. He was linked with us earlier in the season and could be a high class option covering 12 and 13.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd rather we backed the options we have.

Allen, Bai, Roberts, Bryant, Thacker. Nice spectrum of player ability, age and potential. Loamano and Manu can also cover 12 as well. If we can actually keep some players fit...

The only concern is if Allen's injury is worse than has been let on. If he's likely to miss a large portion of next season or is considering calling it a day then we definitely need another 12 and Mermoz would fit the bill nicely. Though isn't he being linked with Racing as a Roberts replacement?

[Welly]

I'd rather we backed the options we have.

Allen, Bai, Roberts, Bryant, Thacker. Nice spectrum of player ability, age and potential. Loamano and Manu can also cover 12 as well. If we can actually keep some players fit...

The only concern is if Allen's injury is worse than has been let on. If he's likely to miss a large portion of next season or is considering calling it a day then we definitely need another 12 and Mermoz would fit the bill nicely. Though isn't he being linked with Racing as a Roberts replacement?

Toulon might be keener to releasing a player to a team outside the top 14.

[king_carlos]

It depends what we're looking for from next season I guess.

If we want to give the new squad, likely change of tactics and some younger players a chance to come through then I fear we will need to accept that European performances will stay inconsistent for next year at least.

As said it's the injuries that worry me. On paper Allen, Bai, Roberts, Bryant and Thacker looks strong. However if Allens injury struggles continue then suddenly Bai is 1st choice, and whilst he's performed solidly when fit, he is 36.

Whatever happens I'd certainly like to see us rotate players more with someone like Roberts being given a shot inside Manu against decent opposition to see what he's made of.

[king_carlos]

Also Worcester are 1 point up on aggregate after a 28-29 win at Bristol.

Henson and Ryan Jones both injured and will miss the second leg at Sixways. Is Bristols spending spree going to fall flat again..

[Welly]

With Bath and Sarries in the final do you think we will be looking even more into finding a sugar daddy owner?

I really hope not but if the cap doesn't get enforced we might have to if it avoids us getting left behind.

[LondonTiger]

With Bath and Sarries in the final do you think we will be looking even more into finding a sugar daddy owner?

I really hope not but if the cap doesn't get enforced we might have to if it avoids us getting left behind.

I hope not, as I would rather we were self sufficient rather than be at the mercy of a rich persons whims. Wonder how much my shares would be worth if the club were sold to a sugar daddy.

[Guest]

Honestly I'd rather have a drastic drop down the table (or potentially leagues) than lose what the club is about and be taken over by a sugar daddy. I expect loads of fans would go MIA if this happened but I'd be happy to be a low ranking fan owned club rather than a rich man's play thing.

Edit: there has been a lot of talk coming from the club lately that I think has been trying to warm us up to the idea of a take over and I really hope it's me being paranoid.

[formerly known as Sam]

Be owned by the fans has always been part of the Tigers identity and I'd much prefer that to continue. It's worth noting that the salary cap investigation has only been suspended until the end of next month. I'm still hoping for a annually published cap NFL style.

[broadlandboy]

fkas publishing the cap Nfl style will not make any difference if someone wants to break it. It would just be of interest to those who want to know how much a player is being paid by the club.

[Welly]

So could Tait be staying?

[formerly known as Sam]

Broadlandboy it aids transparency. It becomes harder for clubs to fabricate figures if all the numbers are in the public domain. The NFL have no issues with the salary cap.

I hope Tait is staying for a couple more years Welly. He's a quality utility back and they aren't easy to come by.

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