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)
 

[nathan]

Just looked at the webcam for the ground redevelopment, are we having a new pitch laid?

http://www.leicestertigers.com/club/stadium/stand-redevelopment/webcam.php

[nathan]

Ah it is being relayed, didn't know if we were going for a artificial one or not. Appears not

[LondonTiger]

I do not follow Super rugby, so O'Connor is unknown to me. Have to say this news is promising:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/23096.php#.VYGzJvlViko

[broadlandboy]

Desso pitch planned for next year as machines that do it already booked for this summer so reseeding & remedial work to the boggy bit.

[Welly]

I do not follow Super rugby, so O'Connor is unknown to me. Have to say this news is promising:

http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/23096.php#.VYGzJvlViko

He has looked very good in a poor blues side and hopefully will look better behind a bigger pack.

[formerly known as Sam]

O'Connor has played well when I've seen the Blues. In a team that's tactically clueless he has been all action and whilst the big blindsides and eights at he club do all the eye grabbing stuff. I think he'll be a good fit and if we start the season with Williams, O'Connor, Fonua/Crane that'll be something to watch.

[king_carlos]

What injuries are we going to be carrying into next season currently?

Allen is the standout with it looking increasingly likely he will retire unfortunately.

Other than Allen I can think off the following whose injuries could or will see them still out in October:

Croft
Owen Williams
Morris
Camacho - Who knows really!

Tuilagi will be fit by then last I heard.

[formerly known as Sam]

Croft shouldn't be too far away from fitness by the start of the season. There's also the world cup. Knowing our luck that'll account for a few.

[Welly]

I reckon fully fit man for man we should win our group:

Stade back row will be viscous though

[formerly known as Sam]

The Munster pack will be no push overs. Saili in their midfield adds a bit of class as well.

Stade will have Plisson and Inu to return which will make them a more attacking threat.

The most winnable group we've had for a while though.

[HongKongCherry]

Sorry if it's been posted elsewhere, but is Allen definitely set for retirement? It'll be a dreadful shame if true. He would add to the era of Glaws academy players who have retired early, namely Forrester, Morgan, Sinbad, Pendlebury, Goodridge, Bailey and Forster.

[Welly]

Rumours ATM.

[Geordie]

Sorry if it's been posted elsewhere, but is Allen definitely set for retirement?  It'll be a dreadful shame if true. He would add to the era of Glaws academy players who have retired early, namely Forrester, Morgan, Sinbad, Pendlebury, Goodridge, Bailey and Forster.

I would say that era in general with others like Tom Rees etc....

[king_carlos]

Sorry if it's been posted elsewhere, but is Allen definitely set for retirement?  It'll be a dreadful shame if true. He would add to the era of Glaws academy players who have retired early, namely Forrester, Morgan, Sinbad, Pendlebury, Goodridge, Bailey and Forster.

I would say that era in general with others like Tom Rees etc....

From a Tigers perspective Harry Ellis, Richard Blaze and Olly Smith as well.

More generally Stuart Abbott and Dan Ward-Smith.

[king_carlos]

Croft shouldn't be too far away from fitness by the start of the season. There's also the world cup. Knowing our luck that'll account for a few.

Yep, with the following certain to be involved for some period of the competition:

Ayerza
Mulipola
T Youngs
Ghirildini
Cole
B Youngs
Goneva

Plus Slater, Bai and Rizzo with a varying chances of making their squads. It's going to take something ranging from un-Tigers like luck to a miracle for none of them to get crocked.

[formerly known as Sam]

Fitzgerald had a good game for the Chiefs today as they crashed out of the Super 15 play offs. Hopefully we'll get him in with Mauger et al in July. The earlier these guys have had their holidays and then can get over and settle the better.

[Welly]

Kitto looks like he might be playing ITM rugby in august before coming to us in October.

If you don't sign anymore players (Which is likely) expect the rumoured Burrows and Olivier and allen retires.

We are looking @ a Squad like this for pre-season in October (Injuries depending)
not including players currently in WC training squads:
Ayerza has said he will play for both Argentina and Leicester in his testimonial game.

1) Brugnara/Hills
2) Bateman/Thacker/Farnworth
3) Balmain/Tiz
4/5) Kitchener/Fitzgerald/De Chaves/Burrow (If he signs)
6) Williams/Beckett
7) O'Connor/Thacker/Owen
8) Fonua/Pearce/Crane/Milne
9) Harrison/Tresidder
10) Burns/Bell/Bryant
12) Olivier/Roberts/Manu
13) Manu/Loamanu/Catchpole/Smith
11/14) Betham/Thompstone/Camacho/Benjamin
15) Tait/Betham/Bell

If we were to make 2 squads out of those it would look like this:
Senior pre-season team
1) Brugnara, 2) Bateman, 3) Balmain
4) Fitzgerald, 5) Kitchener
6) Williams, 7) O'Connor, 8) Fonua
9) Harrison, 10) Burns
12) Oliver, 13) Manu
11) Betham, 14) Thompstone, 15) Tait

16) Thacker, 17) Hills, 18) Tiz, 19) De Chaves, 20) Pearce, 21) Tresidder, 22) Bell, 23) Benjamin

and a "A" team of:
1) Hills, 2) Thacker, 3) Tiz
4) Burrow, 5) De Chaves
6) Beckett, 7) Owen, 8) Pearce
9) Tresidder, 10) Bell
12) Roberts, 13) Catchpole
11) Benjamin, 14) Camacho, 15) loamanu

16) Farnworth, 17) Brugnara, 18) Balmain, 19) Fitzgerald, 20) Milne, 21) Harrison/Prince, 22) Bryant, 23) Smith

Not bad assuming that all our current RWC training camp players make the final cuts.

[Geordie]

Thought Thacker was being swapped to 7? Or is that a gradual process.

[dragon4life]

Won't Fonua be involved with Tonga at RWC

[Welly]

Thacker @7 is a gradual process I think nothing official has been said just that it is an option.

Fonua for Tonga I don't think he is in the Training camps (have they announced it?)

Also Tigers Academy signed Welsh U16 Tom Raffel For 2 yearswho is in the osprey academy ATM (I think) plays 7.

Leicester active looking in Wales bearing fruits by the looks of it.

[formerly known as Sam]

I think the Thacker situation is undecided. Briggs gave an interview before he left saying anyone who thought Harry was to small were wrong and that people had told him that for years and he didn't have half the ability that Thacker has at that age. Once we have a full compliment of hookers back and Mauger can weight in on the discussion a decision might be made.

Fonua needs intensive fitness training. Hope he isn't at the RWC.

We've had a couple of Welsh lads in the academy previously. We obviously have a scout who does the rounds down there.

[Geordie]

Yeah Fonua defo needs grilled fitness wise. He'll be an awesome acquisition once that happens though.

From the occasions you guys have seen him at hooker, has the scrum been an issue...or has his size been an issue? If it hasn't then theres no worries.

[Welly]

Barrow confirmed by Leicester.

Excellent signing.

Re Thacker I think with Ayerza and Cole not noticeable but it became more apparent with other props esp that saints home game.

That's IMO.

Farnworth has more potential than Thacker here IMO, Thacker is extremely skilful but I don't think he can go as far as he should with at hooker.

[LondonTiger]

I was trying to remember which game it was that I noticed a serious deterioration in the scrum coincinding with Thacker's arrival, and that was it - thanks welly.

Thacker and Balmain came on (as did Hartley) with Youngs and Cole off and suddenly we went from dominating scrums to struggling a little. Tom youngs has turned himself into a very good scrummaging hooker, really struggle to see Thacker doing the same.

The other thing I have noticed, from the pre match warm ups, is the effect hi slack of inches has come lineout time. Because he is releasing the ball from a lower height he has to put more elevation (or speed) on it. this often leads to much loopier throws than we see from the taller hookers. These are by their nature likely to have a wider scope for error and more variability.

[Geordie]

Well maybe his move to 7...or even in to the backs needs to be sped up a little.

Barrow is a cracking signing...he really can be a top class lock...so long as you keep him fit and consistenly playing. Good luck to the guy...I hope he really shows his potential.

[formerly known as Sam]

Well Saints at home saw Saints bring on their first choice 1 and 2 at the same time we brought in Thacker and Balmain. Thacker doesn't have the bulk to put pressure on but he is really quick at hooking the ball back on his side. Even under pressure the ball hits the 8s feet at speed. I thought he did well in that game considering. It'll be a big decision to make as currently he makes a massive impact around the park for a hooker but that'll be expected at 7 and he'll need to perfect his jackling so there's plenty to work on whichever position he goes with.

Fonua and Mulipola charging around gives us some good carrying options up front. Serious PI beef to get over the gain line. We seem to be going for a pack with more physical impact this season. Add Williams or Pearce at 6 and then the lock combo of Slater and Kitchener and that should be a formidable unit.

Barrow adds a nice bit of depth to lock and is somebody we should be able to develop over the next couple of years.

[Welly]

Anthony alleys nd the club have officially announced his retirement.

Such a huge shame and leaves a huge hole for us to fill.

Should have gotten more of a look in with England a great player for us.

[formerly known as Sam]

Sad but not unexpected news. A quality 12 it'll be difficult to replace.

[HongKongCherry]

So that answers my earlier question. Dreadful news for Allen, an excellent 12 who was very much underrated and should certainly have won more than 2 caps, but suffered from being called up too young into a very poor England side. Some of my great Glaws memories are of him and Lamby playing without any fear, particularly the wonderful game against Wasps. He definitely improved at Tigers and will be a loss to the game.

[LondonTiger]

Goodbye Tequila Tone, thanks for the memories and all the best.

[Welly]

In other news our Partner club in Kuala Lumpur had a massive 10's tournament of 120 being entered in it with age groups ranging from:

U6 - Senior rugby

and Girls competition ranging from:
U13 - Senior massive achievement and well done KL Tigers

[Geordie]

Shame to hear about Allen...I agree he should have had more caps. Especially when you consider 12 has been such a problem position and you have a player like him available....

So Welly...when do you foresee the first Malaysian flying across and playing for the Tigers.

[Welly]

Prob not for a while it's only really started a couple of years ago properly.

There development is run by Tom Hudson who was in our academy this season but had to retire in December 2015 but Leicester gave him the opportunity to go to Malaysian to help run the development.

Great story.

[Jimpy]

[quote="Welly"] Barrow confirmed by Leicester.

Excellent signing.

Re Thacker I think with Ayerza and Cole not noticeable but it became more apparent with other props esp that saints home game.

That's IMO.

Farnworth has more potential than Thacker here IMO, Thacker is extremely skilful but I don't think he can go as far as he should with at hooker.[/quote]

Unfortunately, he's recovering from an cruciate ligament injury. Yet another signing of an already injured player. It's bloody ridiculous.

[Welly]

I know jimpy still an excellent player.

The fact is he is 22 so has plenty of time left and is signed in an area we have depth so him currently being injured isn't a problem to me.

Therefore I don't see how it is ridiculous.

[Jimpy]

I know jimpy still an excellent player.

The fact is he is 22 so has plenty of time left and is signed in an area we have depth so him currently being injured isn't a problem to me.

Therefore I don't see how it is ridiculous.

Its ridiculous because some of the players that Cockerill has signed in the past who were injured at the time (with fairly innocuous injuries by the way) have turned out to be long term injured and never really fulfilled their potential. I seem to remember Miles Benjamin being a good example of this.

Stop signing injured bloody players!

[formerly known as Sam]

Pearce came through brilliantly after his injury and is developing nicely. Benjamin picked up the injury after we did the deal and showed some good form when he got back before other unrelated injuries. Camacho was signed pre shoulder injury.

Barrow wouldn't be a starter initially anyway he's a project we'll work on over the next couple of years. Rumours are he activated a clause to get out of his Falcons deal to sign for us.

[Geordie]

Yeah he did. The clause was if we finish 10 or below hes off.

[Geordie]

That's not a bad job is it welly....teaching rugby in Malaysia...im not that lucky...

[Welly]

I know jimpy still an excellent player.

The fact is he is 22 so has plenty of time left and is signed in an area we have depth so him currently being injured isn't a problem to me.

Therefore I don't see how it is ridiculous.

Its ridiculous because some of the players that Cockerill has signed in the past who were injured at the time (with fairly innocuous injuries by the way) have turned out to be long term injured and never really fulfilled their potential. I seem to remember Miles Benjamin being a good example of this.

Stop signing injured bloody players!

IMO he has been signed as a project player who will compete with the starters but wasn't signed as a starter.

Considering our next lock below him is only 19, I think it is a wise signing.

Fitzgerald 28
Slater 26
Kitchener 25
De Chaves 24
Williams 23
Barrows 22
Maksymiw 19

That to me looks like an excellent crop of locks to build on.

[Jimpy]

Yeah he did. The clause was if we finish 10 or below hes off.

Really? He could have joined Tigers at the end of last season if that was the case. I mean, predicting the future is a rare gift, but in some cases, it's not that difficult...

[formerly known as Sam]

No sign of Wells returning Welly? I still think he'd be a good fit for us.

[Welly]

Maybe last I heard there were talks but with Fitzgerald, Barrow and Williams all being able to play both 6 and lock he might not find it attractive.

[Geordie]

He's currently in rehab for ACl injury. (Barrow)

[formerly known as Sam]

Yeah we know hence we some fans are unsure how good an idea the signing is. I think he's young enough to come back from it and do well. We rehabbed Pearce through a worse knee injury and he looked a player of real promise last season so hoping for same again.

I know Welly it doesn't help his cause. It's a shame because in theory he'd fit the type of lock were after. Maybe another season at Bedford and then we'll look at it again. I suppose Croft's future could have a bearing on that decision as well.

[HammerofThunor]

Phil Blake banned from rugby union involvement for 6 months due to two breaches of anti-corruption and betting regulations. Seems he put two bets on Tigers games while he was coach. No idea what the bets were. Fined £669, which was the winnings from the bet.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/33278703

[Dubbelyew L Overate]

Twitter says £600 handicap bet at +18.5 v Toulon and a £600 win bet v Newcastle. Won both, but haven't seen the odds - fair bit less than evens, I'd guess.

[formerly known as Sam]

I'd heard he was unhappy at Tigers but this stuff is idiotic, he's a a professional this shouldn't be happening. Helps clear up why he exited quite so swiftly after a season where our defence was the only good thing, well along with the set pieces.

[Welly]

I hadn't heard anything about him being unhappy with tigers as such maybe about them letting him go.

I had heard this news for a while though before the bath game which is why he was not present there.

[LondonTiger]

I wonder just how long the ban would have been if he had been betting against the team? Life maybe?

He should have known the rules, and why bother for such a small gain.

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